Burning question....

"Funktheduck" (funktheduck) 04/19/2015 at 14:16 • Filed to: None

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So I’ve been a bad car owner. I’ve never bothered checking the oil in the Mazda between oil changes because I figured it’s a new car and there should be no need. But, between the past two oil changes I have. I didn’t check right after the oil change but I have between and leading up to and feel it’s going through oil at an alarming rate. I’m getting it changed tomorrow morning but it’s on the low dot on the dip stick and it was about half way in between the dots when I checked it last a couple thousand miles ago. I don’t feel like it should be that way for a new car.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 14:19

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Certain cars do use a fair bit even in good condition. May be worth going into the dealer and asking about if it’s still in warranty though.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 04/19/2015 at 14:22

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Burning one bottle of oil between oil changes is not unusual. All piston engines burn at least a little bit of oil. But if you’re burning 1 bottle of oil every 1000 miles or less, that is definitely something to be concerned about.

Also I’ve heard some cars burn a bit more until they’re broken in and then it settles down. Not sure if that is BS though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/19/2015 at 14:25

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I’ve heard they burn a little more before they’re properly run in too.

Funktheduck > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 04/19/2015 at 14:32

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Yeah. My last car went through a quart ever 3K miles but it was high mileage and had a couple issues towards the end. Like I said, I just started checking the past couple changes so it may have always been doing this or new. Or it’s not supposed to but is. I’m definitely asking when I go in the morning.

jkm7680 > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 14:50

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I highly suggest that you check your blinker fluid levels, as they might be low and in need of service and also the flux capacitor should be checked every once and while depending on the speed of the jet fuel inside of the air conditioning compressor that powers the windows causing the brakes to work.

Funktheduck > jkm7680 04/19/2015 at 15:01

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Thanks. It's raining right now but I'll check as soon as it stops. I've heard it can kill your car if your blinker fluid is low and the flux is stable.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 15:19

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Yeah it’s hard to tell what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Just continue to keep an eye on it and ask a trustworthy mechanic.

jkm7680 > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 15:30

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Yeah yeah, totally man. Rain also can affect the turbines located in the wheels that cause the radio reception to be bad and for the heat to stop working. It’s really more complicated than you’d think.

Funktheduck > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 04/19/2015 at 16:01

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Yeah. I just wish they had some sort of normal burn rate in the manual or something. I looked but couldn't find anything

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 16:31

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I have an OHV engine, my engine will burn a small bit of oil by design. If I fill it to the top of the full range on the dipstick, by the time I need it changed again it’ll be filled 2/3 to the top of the full range. Thats just how OHV engines are. What kind of engine to you have?

Funktheduck > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 04/19/2015 at 16:56

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DOHC like most engines these days. I know some burn is normal. But it just seems excessive.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 17:26

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Maybe you have a leak?

Funktheduck > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 04/19/2015 at 17:29

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Would've noticed something on the driveway by now

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 17:32

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Not necessarily, My truck has had quite a few leaks that Ive patched up. Every single leak came from a worn component that only leaked when under load, I never had spots in the driveway. Get under the car and check for blow-by.

Funktheduck > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 04/19/2015 at 17:37

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I'll have them look when I take it in tomorrow.

boxrocket > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 17:47

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You're checking it when it's warm and having been run for some time, not on a cold engine first thing in the morning, yes?

Funktheduck > boxrocket 04/19/2015 at 18:02

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Yup.

wafflesnfalafel > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 22:43

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what motor? My 09 2.3 MZR is using about a half a quart between 4500 mi changes and I use synth, more if I do a lot of cruising over 70, less if in town.

Funktheduck > wafflesnfalafel 04/19/2015 at 23:00

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2.0 skyactiv 0w-20 synthetic

wafflesnfalafel > Funktheduck 04/19/2015 at 23:09

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Hmm - I haven’t seen any specific oil usage issues with that motor. Any valve ticking noises especially a little after start up? You might be using less oil than you think you are.

Funktheduck > wafflesnfalafel 04/20/2015 at 07:02

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There's a tick now that it's as low as it is

wafflesnfalafel > Funktheduck 04/20/2015 at 22:01

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But the tick goes away when you top it up, right? I’m thinking that it might be perfectly fine. My Mazda does, (and always has,) used a bit more oil than other cars I’ve owned, but all have needed a mid oil change top up. One other thought - I have had dealers under fill a car before. Technically w/in the two lines on the dipstick but still less than the official 4.5 quarts or whatever the manual says so you might be starting out lower than average.

Funktheduck > wafflesnfalafel 04/21/2015 at 08:18

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Yeah. I named it the oil change tick with my last car.