Is oil burn normal?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
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From: California (CA)
Is oil burn normal?
I have a 07 IS350 with about 195k miles, before it’s time for me to change the oil at normal 5-6k miles intervals, I’m getting notification from my car that I’m low on oil. Is it normal to have oil burn? If so, what’s the normal amount? I drive 50/50 city vs freeway but I do take it out for a good two hour road trip most weekends, idk if that makes a difference...thanks in advance for your help!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 100
From: CA
Yep, esp. on early model cars. I've seen it all over the place. 1qt every 1k miles. The manual does say something about 1qt every 2500 as being normal (or something like that).
Anyway, if you have to top it off every 6k miles with 1 quart, that's not an issue. It'll be a lot more expensive to track down what's causing it (which no one has really determined with certainty), certainly more than the cost of a qt of oil.
Add it when needed and don't worry about it.
Anyway, if you have to top it off every 6k miles with 1 quart, that's not an issue. It'll be a lot more expensive to track down what's causing it (which no one has really determined with certainty), certainly more than the cost of a qt of oil.
Add it when needed and don't worry about it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 421
Likes: 36
From: Mass
I wouldn’t wait on the light. Check your oil every 2k or so and add when it’s low.
I had a Toyota that burned a qt every 700 miles. I set my trip odometer and checked it around 650. I did that for 60k until I sold it.
I had a Toyota that burned a qt every 700 miles. I set my trip odometer and checked it around 650. I did that for 60k until I sold it.
Are you sure you're burning oil and not leaking it? Do you see blueish plumes of smoke at times out of your exhaust...perhaps on a cold start? If you only lose 1 qt every 5k miles, that's not horrible for a higher mileage car by no means. But perhaps it's time to use a high-mileage oil, if you're not already.
At that mileage, I wouldn't be surprised to see valve stem seal issues. I've got a little oil burning at 165k, but I also know I've got a leaky gasket on one of the pipes (see here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...help-pics.html). Check for blue smoke, especially on the first cold start of the morning.
Valve stem seals show up while decelerating. At highway speeds on a downhill slope in say 4th gear, bear down on the throttle and then lift off the throttle for 4 to 5 seconds and jump back on the throttle. This action will make very high intake manifold vacuum and pull oil through the valve steam guides and seals whereby you see a blue plume out the tail if the seals are worn.
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