3500 miles and oil down 1 quart

[jugdish]

Had a low oil pressure warning, checked the oil level and sure as shit it was down about 1 quart. Never saw a new engine burn a quart of oil before, but this is my first Jeep. Anyone else see something like this?

 

[FlyingAvocado]

This is from the owner's manual under the "Engine Break-in Recommendations" section :

Note:
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not interpreted as a problem. Please check your oil level with the engine oil indicator often during the break-in period. Add oil as required.

 

[jugdish]

I guess that's good news. Never seen an engine burn a whole quart before. I guess that's why they use the vague term "some oil"

 

[wowsa]

I and a previous post about adding a quart in the first 2000 miles.

 

[JTaylor62]

I have over 4000 miles on my Overland GCL. Checked the oil and still full (without adding any oil). Are you driving aggressively? The oil color still looks good. The "oil change" indicator says I'm at 50% life. Regardless, at 5000 miles I'll have the oil changed.

 

[Sixspeed60]

Did you wait for the engine to warm up then wait 5 minutes or how did you check?

 

[wowsa]

Did you wait for the engine to warm up then wait 5 minutes or how did you check?

Agreed, this is important. Measuring at the wrong time can lead to misleading results. Measuring when the engine is cold overestimates how much is there so measuring when the engine is cold will show correct oil amount when I reality you are a quart low.

 

[eleceng1979]

FYI, they will burn it on a virgin motor. I prefer to change the factory oil out at less than 1500 miles due to this fact. Once you change out to a MS approved oil (pennsoil) at this point it wil not burn another drop.

It is obvious to me that factory oil is not normal oil. It has to be something different somehow. I’ve owned 3 virgin hemis and all were treated this way, zero issues. Following break in procedure also helps.

FYI hemis tend to hold oil in the top end for a long time. I usually check my oil levels in the am after sitting all night and also measure/pay attention to how much oil when adding/changing due to this. My WK2’s 5.7’s would take an extra 1/2 quart over the manual capacity to be full, after sitting all night.

Owners running factory oil for the entire first change interval are asking for trouble in my opinion. If it is burning the oil, it will coke the rings and cause sealing issues. Not how to start a new motors life.

I change my own oil. My dealer cannot put lug nuts on a car without a wheel falling off, true story, happened twice to the same technician. I don’t trust them.

 

[JTaylor62]

After purchasing 40 or so vehicles - and running a normal oil change routine. I would disagree. Oil filters are made so well, they truly filter out the bad stuff. Also, many manufacturers "burn the engine in" at the factory - further reducing the need. But I understand, the car is your baby, so change the oil. I'll change mine at 5,000 miles - when the oil is at 50% life - this, from my perspective, is my happy medium.

I checked my oil at both running temperature and cold - I so little to no difference. I'm assuming our driving habits are different. But... I did own a new 4.2L 2011 Audi A6 - and after 4,000 miles, I needed to add oil. But for that car, I did drive very aggressively.

As the saying goes, "At the end of the day - check your oil level"

 

[jugdish]

the L is the wife's daily driver, so definitely not driving agressively. Took it to the local quick lube and they agreed it was a quart low. Said unless we see oil stains under the engine, not to worry about it.