Losing oil?

[DonM]

I change my oil every 10k miles (my car's oil life monitor comes on at ~9,500). I check the level regularly and at about 5k miles, I'm down a quart, so I top it off. Then at 9,500 to 10k the oil gets changed.

This last time, I was down 1 at 5k, which seems to be normal. I topped it off and about 4,500 miles later my 'Low Oil' light came on. I already had an appointment at the shop to have the change done, but I checked the level since the service wasn't to be performed for a few days and discovered I was down 2 full qts.

I'm not burning oil, there are no puddles under the car at work or in the garage and I don't see any smoke or smell oil under the hood.

Obviously I'm going to check the oil level even more often now (from once a month to every other time I get gas). But I was wondering if anyone else has experience unexplained oil loss? As far as driving habits, I tend to granny shift, except when getting on the highway, then I'll run it to 5-5,500 but I normally keep the revs around 2-4k.


Any ideas?

[IMPERIALBLUE2SS]

There is not an oil on this planet that I would leave in for 10k! 5k max on an oil change. Your burning it, could be PCV system, rings, valve seals. V6's have direct injection which will dilute your oil with fuel. I would get it checked but it seems the damage is already done.

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Yeah, the LFX has horrible blow-by and oil ingestion. I would start changing it every 5,000 miles, and keeping an eye on it.

Have a catch-can? You'd be amazed how fast that thing fills up too.

[DonM]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

Yeah, the LFX has horrible blow-by and oil ingestion. I would start changing it every 5,000 miles, and keeping an eye on it.

Have a catch-can? You'd be amazed how fast that thing fills up too.

No catch can yet, I just blew the budget getting tires.

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by DonM

No catch can yet, I just blew the budget getting tires.

Start budgeting for one, you'll see where the oil goes. It's just the nature of this DI engine with high compression.

Glad you caught it, sucks the light came on for the one section. Just keep an eye on it moving forward and let's hope you get the engine to last a long time.

Luckily it's a super easy oil change engine. I do them in my driveway in 20 minutes, so it's not too bad to have to do it a little more frequently than I would have liked.

[DonM]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

Luckily it's a super easy oil change engine. I do them in my driveway in 20 minutes, so it's not too bad to have to do it a little more frequently than I would have liked.

Do you use ramps or just jack up one side? I have ramps, but they are OLD school and there's no way the Camaro will go on them without destroying the bumper cover.

[ChibiBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by DonM

Do you use ramps or just jack up one side? I have ramps, but they are OLD school and there's no way the Camaro will go on them without destroying the bumper cover.

I use a harbor freight low-pro and jack stands. Never been a fan of ramps. I use a block of wood and hit the front center to get both sides off at once, and then throw a jack stand on each side.

[DonM]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

I use a harbor freight low-pro and jack stands. Never been a fan of ramps. I use a block of wood and hit the front center to get both sides off at once, and then throw a jack stand on each side.

Sounds like a plan ...

... I've done a lot of research since I made this post and it seems like most cars use oil, some more than others, so I guess, I'll just keep checking my oil (very) frequently and not let it get that low again.