OIL Question

[H3slate]

I would check the dipstick through the life of your oil, that should be your first indicator if you are burning oil. That and the smell it makes.

[marin8703]

thanks for the responses. Its about 5000 miles since last change. I emptied the oil filter in with the other oil, but theres still some left in there. So i'll just keep an eye on it. havent really smelled any burnt oil so i must be ok there. thanks again.

[usetosellhummer]

I would like to know

[fourfourto]

Was the dip stick up to the f line just before the oil change

I always check it first and at 6,000 miles it still at full ,I never measured oil after changing.

This weekend at 30,000 miles( using mobil 1)Im switching to mobil 1 extended with a ex mobile 1 filter and going for 10,000 miles.

I just got my onstar report today 29,990 miles ,oil 52% left next oil change 36,000 miles.

[marin8703]

i didnt check the dipstick before changing it, usually dont, but from now on will. I dont measure it after changing either, but because i put the old oil back in the bottles of teh new one i noticed that i had 1 empty 1 qt bottle, so thats what got my attention. According to onstar I was at around 19% just before the oil change.

[f5fstop]

First, let's be honest, ALL internal combustion engines burn some oil. If they did not burn oil, the rings would be sliding up and down on dry cylinder walls. It should not be noticeable, on the dipstick, being that over about 6K miles it equates to about 1/16 of a quart.
Second, the oil filter contains more oil than you believe, even after you drain it. In TN, we had a hydraulic oil filter compressor that squeezed the oil filter down to about 1/2 inch in height, about 1/4 of a quart would be squeezed out from the filter media.
Third, there is some oil left in the engine that will not drain out. There are valleys and nooks where oil lays, as well as the bottom of the oil pan. How much, I'm not sure.
Fourth, when someone adds six quarts of oil to the engine, possibly a sixteenth was left in the oil containers. As you know, it appears these puppies will drip forever.
Desert Dan has the correct answer...watch your oil as you drive over a period of time.

[marin8703]

thanks, its probably nothing. but i'll keep an eye on it just to make sure.