Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Oil Consumption Test And Diagnosis: Notes
The following diagnostic procedures are used to determine the source of excessive internal oil consumption, these procedures and tests apply to vehicles with 50, 000 miles or less.
Engine oil consumption may be greater than normal during engine break-in. Repairs should be delayed until vehicle has been driven at least 7, 500 miles.
Severe service (high ambient temperature, short trips, heavy loading, trailer towing, taxi, off-road, or law enforcement use) may result in greater oil consumption than normal.
Sustained high speed driving and high engine RPM operation may result in increased oil consumption.
Failure to comply with the recommended oil type and viscosity rating, as outlined in the owner's manual, may impact oil economy as well as fuel economy.
Oil consumption may increase with vehicle age and mileage due to normal engine wear.
Because a few drops of external oil leakage per mile can quickly account for the loss of one quart of oil in a few hundred miles, be certain there is no external engine oil leaks present.
- Oil leakage is not the same as oil consumption and all external leakage must be eliminated before any action can be taken to verify and/or correct oil consumption complaints.
- Verify that the engine has the correct oil level dipstick and dipstick tube installed.
- Verify that the engine is not being run in an overfilled condition. Check the oil level 15 minutes after a hot shutdown with the vehicle parked on a level surface. In no case should the level be above MAX or the FULL mark on the dipstick.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.