I have a 97 EddieBaur Exped with 5.4 and 37000 miles. I am using Mobil-1 5w-30. It appears to be using between 1/2 - 1 quart every 3000 miles. Is this normal. I have detected no leaks anywhere on the motor - It does give a puff of smoke once in a while when it is first started up in the morning. The dealer says this is normal - they said by Ford Standards - 1 quart every 900 mile! Any input ???

 

What is your driving style. The harder you drive the more oil you will use.

I notice that I drove from El Paso to Colorado 1400 miles round trip I had some usage, but then again I was going 80 most of the way. Also had to really get on it trying to go up those steep grade. This was really working the engine.

But just normal driving it might use 1/4 to 1/2 quart every 5000 miles or so.

So you can see that is a big difference according to the way you drive.

BTW. That useage that you have sounds normal to me!

 

I have a '00 F150 4.6 and started w/ Mobil 1 5w30 shortly after I got it home. Engine uses close to 1 quart every 3000 miles. I thought this was excessive but also attributed it to break-in. However, I'm at 13000 miles now and it is still the same consumption. I think I'm going to go to castrol 5w30 and see if anything changes. BTW, I like to change my oil every 3K, so I might just stick to the cheap dino oil. We'll see if consumption changes at all. Also, as pointed out before, the rest of the darn truck will wear out before the engine will using dino oil w/ regular 3K changes. Guess I'm jumping off the synth wagon.

 

My 5.4 seems to use about 1/4 quart in ~3K miles on Mobil 1 5w30. My wife's Crown uses ~1 quart in the same miles but has 120K on it vs. my 11K. I read somewhere that oil usage can be masked by condensation and fuel dilution in some circumstances where it appears NO oil is being used between changes and that a long trip will show that a lot of oil was used because the dilution boils off. Actually this happened to me in an old VW....had a full crankcase before a 120 mile trip and nearly empty when I got there! But they were prone to this in cold weather; I doubt these new Ford engines could get much oil contamination unless driven *really* short distances in cold weather.

Also,I have noticed that with the factory recommended 6 quart fill, the dipstick (on the 2000 5.4 at least) only reads about 3/4 up the normal range. I marked my stick with a punch so I know where 'Full' really is. Since all engines have to use SOME oil, I'm happy with the 1/4 quart or so mine seems to use.

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2000 Lariat, 5.4, 3:55 L.S., 4wd, ext cab, Tow pkg, Chestnut/Gold, Century mid-hi cap, Ford short bug deflector, contoured Ford running boards and bedmat.

 

My 4.2 doesn't lose or burn any oil at all! I've got almost 50k on it.
I don't think a new engine should burn more than half a quart in 5000 miles.

 

Ford's spec for excessive usage is 1 quart in 600 miles. The modular engine WILL use oil. Nature of the beast.

 

You guys are sort of lucky and then again not.

Its a scarey thing, I know. However, EVERY ENGINE USES SOME OIL! PERIOD!

My understanding is that you all fall under normal oil consumption. 1 quart per 3000 miles is actually better for your engine. Someone else might have to explain why. I beleive your engine is allowing more oil in certain areas like piston rings. Thus, it burns more BUT PROTECTS MORE TOO!

Its when you burn too much that you have a problem?

Someone else will have to explain why one burns engough to notice and another hardly burns any!

 

umm a stupid question but how do you know how much it has used? when you do the oil change? do you consider the oil still in the filter? seems like they hold alot of oil in em.


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1998 xlt off road 5.4lsupercab auto pacific green clearcoat power drivers seat, keyless remote with factory alarm, tow package

 

I pour almost a whole quart in over 3K to keep the level at the "full" mark. My "full" mark is the same as Charlsve, 3/4 the way up the dipstick hashes w/ 6 qt change. Yes, the filter should fill up. I measure my oil level after running the engine, so the filter should be full. After 1500-2000 miles, the level is near the low mark, and 1/2 qt brings it back up to 3/4 ("full"). Thought I'd be thru w/ topping off the oil w/ a new truck, I mean my 214K mile nissan used maybe a qt. over 3K.

 

Reading these posts got my curiosity since I'm heading out for an oil change I pulled the stick and was still at the full mark. Mine is a Windsor engine with almost 50,000 miles on it and I change the oil every 3,000 religiously and don't baby it by any means, just ask that chebby I passed getting on the freeway with a load of firewood in the bed.

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'97 F150 4.6L XL WHITE,FLEETSIDE R/C L/B, LEER SHELL W/FISHING POLE RACK, BED MAT,LIMMITED SLIP,245/75/16 DESERT DOGS ON POLISHED ALUM, WHEELS.
AIRAID, 3" CAT BACK OUT THE SIDE w/MAGNAFLOW MUFFER

 

Baz, don't add 1/2qt. of oil. wait until it gets to min. and then add 1 qt. i think you'll find you don't have to add any if you're changing @ 3000 miles. ford's and gm's spec. is 900 miles per qt. i don't agree with this, but that's what it is.

 

My '87' 6cyl only uses 1/4 quart every 3K and its got 164,000 on it.

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1987 F-150 300 L6 4sp 2wd
K&N, flowmasters