Oil consuption after synthetic

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Carguy21

Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
43
Location
Dominican Rep
I drive a 09 Highlander ltd that I bought in 2012 (40k on the odo at the moment of my purchase). Since I bought it, I always used Mobil Super dyno 5w30 and OEM filter with zero oil consuption leaving it 4k to 5k OCIs.

3 months ago, the car reached 97k miles and I switched to Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with OEM filter. I putted 6.4 quarts (the manual calls for it) and the oil level reached the max on the dipstick. I was happy with the results, better overall performance, less noise, etc.

After the oil change, I never checked the oil level. Today, 3 months and 4k miles on the oil I decided to see the level and got scared when I saw the oil level was below the half of the dipstick. Yes, it was above the MIN marking but just a little bit, I had to put almost a quart to take the level back to the max point.

Any thoughs???
 
Last edited:
Same thing happening here right now using Mobil 1 in my Oldsmobile, and it's not leaking it out or smoking. Going back to a good conventional/blend like Mobil Super 5000 or Havoline/Chevron Supreme. Never had to add any oil during oil change intervals, and in about a month I am down just a tad over 1/4 quart. It's not too much, but if it's going to use expensive oil like that I might as well go back to the cheaper stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: cb_13
Why are you adding oil if it's not below the minimum mark?


Because this truck never used any drop of oil even with 5k on Mobil dyno. After switching to full syn, 4k miles later the oil is dropping to the minimum mark, I'm not used to see the oil at such low level.
 
Normal. When I switch from Pennzoil to Mobil or vice versa I experience same thing. You are going dino Mobil to Pennzoil syn and are worrying too much. Run it a couple thousand more miles and check it again, it will level off if you keep using the same oil. I cant explain why but whenever I switch brands the car uses some oil. You are worrying about 1 qt in a 6.4qt sump..its nothing..

What OCI does Toyota recommend for the 09 Highlander?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Normal. When I switch from Pennzoil to Mobil or vice versa I experience same thing. You are going dino Mobil to Pennzoil syn and are worrying too much. Run it a couple thousand more miles and check it again, it will level off if you keep using the same oil. I cant explain why but whenever I switch brands the car uses some oil. You are worrying about 1 qt in a 6.4qt sump..its nothing..

What OCI does Toyota recommend for the 09 Highlander?


5k miles using 5w30 (TGMO preferred, which is Mobil Super 5000 with some different add packs).
 
This is the synthetic cleaning what the conventional oil wont or cant. The opinions and facts here are quite truthful that slight consumption is normal. Some cars use oil their entire life like VW,Toyota, and Subaru. Many car dealers even say a qt in 4-5k miles as reasonable. I would not fret this at all. You should be checking the dipstick occasionally anyway. I am certain this will level off and it will be water under the bridge soon. Look at this as dino just not really doing all that well to clean and protect and asking a better oil to do the same AND pickup after what the other guy didnt.
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Give the car sometime to get acclimated with the syn oil. Initial consumption happens sometimes and stabilizes during subsequent oil changes.


That's it in a nutshell. Anytime you switch to a new oil (particularly after a long period on one oil brand/type), keep an eye on the dipstick to keep track of any changes in consumption. In your case, it will probably go back to staying on the full mark after an oci or two.
 
Give it a couple of OCI to stabilize, the PP, PU and M1 have good cleaning abilities, it is probably doing some cleaning to the ring lands and most likely temporary.
 
+1 @ Trav
01.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Carguy21
Originally Posted By: cb_13
Why are you adding oil if it's not below the minimum mark?


Because this truck never used any drop of oil even with 5k on Mobil dyno. After switching to full syn, 4k miles later the oil is dropping to the minimum mark, I'm not used to see the oil at such low level.



cb13, you add BEFORE it gets below minimum. Minimum means minimum, not add below here.


Carguy21, some consumption when switching is normal, I've changed over several vehicles with that much mileage and all leaked a little or used a little. BUT the leakage/use went away within an OCI or two and they were tight after that. As mentioned above, give it some time.
 
Originally Posted By: Carguy21
I drive a 09 Highlander ltd that I bought in 2012 (40k on the odo at the moment of my purchase). Since I bought it, I always used Mobil Super dyno 5w30 and OEM filter with zero oil consuption leaving it 4k to 5k OCIs.

3 months ago, the car reached 97k miles and I switched to Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with OEM filter. I putted 6.4 quarts (the manual calls for it) and the oil level reached the max on the dipstick. I was happy with the results, better overall performance, less noise, etc.

After the oil change, I never checked the oil level. Today, 3 months and 4k miles on the oil I decided to see the level and got scared when I saw the oil level was below the half of the dipstick. Yes, it was above the MIN marking but just a little bit, I had to put almost a quart to take the level back to the max point.

Any thoughs???


Yes, it's called oil consumption and one quart in 4000 miles is not abnormal and not checking your oil level for such an interval is pushing your luck.

If you are concerned about high oil consumption, make sure the crank case vent is clear, then consider moving up a grade from OEM spec and switching to a high mileage oil or even trying half a can of a major brand stop leal additive.
 
As stated previously...it's NORMAL to use a little oil when changing brands especially if you've used the same oil for a long time...it should stabilize after a few OCIs of the new oil.

PS: This can also happen when changing brands of conventional oil (not just because it's a synthetic).
 
All my vehicles have done that for the first couple oil changes. I'm guessing its the glaze between the rings and the cylinder walls. Then after approx 10k it gets much better. Also you may burn less with dino cause its generally thicker and doesn't flow as well. I would wait for at least 3 oil changes and see what happens
 
Could be the PP is also a thinner 30 weight? As others have said though, 4000 miles is a fair amount and 1 quart loss is not ideal but not the worst either by any means.
 
That's just pp it likes to burn it seems I've used it in my truck and buddy's suburban and at the end of both OCI's about 2 qts missing he stuck with pp several changes and it does it every time the second I changed to a different oil it stopped consuming
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
Six Months Minimum oil change interval on Synthetic Oil ?
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
Astro_Guy
S
2017 Rav4 Oil Burning Chronicles
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Japanese
A
Latest Valvoline Restore and Protect update - 2018 Equinox Oil Consumption
Replies
4
Views
2K
road_rascal
T
2007 Scion tC high oil consumption ~1qt/500mi
2
Replies
34
Views
831
Elkins45
A
High Oil Consumption with Motul 300V 5w40 ...
Replies
18
Views
2K
svenson
Back
Top Bottom