my 03 sedan auto has been using 1 qt of oil for every 3,000-4,000 mile oil change. It's been the same for 50,000 miles I've been driving it. Always used either 5w30 dino or synthetic. Mobil 1, Castrol, Penzoil Plat doesn't matter. Now in order to try to get this usage down, I want to try a different weight.
My first guess would be a 10w 30. or a 5w40 or a 10w40.

The question would be when is most of the oil being used? ie.. during when the motor is cold-warmed up? After it's warmed up? Or perhaps the valve stem seals are leaking a bit?

If it's burning it when cold, then a thicker W weight would be best. If it's using it when warm, then trying a 40 would be the next step.

If it's the valve stem seals, then I guess it's getting burnt all the time and perhaps I need an oil that will swell the seals a touch? Recommendations?

It could be nickpicky but I'd like to avoid a 40 weight if possible. The usage isn't THAT bad but I'd feel better if I could reduce it with a viscosity change.

I just used my last 5qt jug of Penzoil Platinum so I have to buy some more. Might as well ask now.

For reference, I pour what drains out into an old 5qt jug and it comes up to the 4qt line. I drain the filter into the pan also but I know quite a bit can be soaked into the oil filter still.

 

No thoughts?

 

Try out 10W-30 first. Most oil is probably used when its cold.

How cold does it get there in Seattle?

 

It doesn't get cold at all so a cold 10w wouldn't be a problem. Especially if it's a synthetic.

 

Then I'd stick with 10W-30 regularly. I know in AZ some of the shops say that 10w is better for the vq than the 5w. I'm guessing its because of oil usage.

How many miles do you have on your car?

I have 150K now and I only use about 1/3-1/2 Q per 3-4000 miles.

 

I would also go with the 10w30 and i dont see you loosing much in mpg with this weight.I have used the 0w40 mobil1 for ever and only loose about a quart every 5000 miles and it has had the twins on for a long time with 74,000 miles.

 

I'll give the 10w 30 a shot. Hopefully I can find that weight in an oil that WalMart has. Looks like Penzoil Platinum is available in 10w30. Just hope they have it in stock. But I just used my last 5w30 so I have 3k to decide.

The 10w shouldn't affect mileage much as it will only stay in this weight until it warms up.

I also note that the Rotella T5 (synthetic blend) is available in 10w30. Might give that a try. Wish their top of the line full synthetic T6 was available in this. But it's available in a 5w 40.

 

mobil 1 0w40. I'm a believer.

Walmart does carry it but inventory is sporadic. They still hit you for $7 a quart on it so I usually go to an autoparts chain store since they almost always have it and charge about the same

 

I've pretty much used synthetic 10W-30 in my G since I bought it with 22K miles nearly 5 years ago. It maybe burns 1/2 QT every 5K miles. I ran the same oil in my VQ30 Maxima for over 6 years with the same outcome in terms of oil consumption.