I have a 2004 g35 coupe. I last changed the oil with synthetic oil around 72000. I was told that since it is synthetic, it would live almost twice as the regular oil. At around 78000, i started hearing a noise from the engine. Took the car in to the dealer( still under extended warranty) and later I was told that the oil level was at 1 quarter! No light had come on and I explained it to the dealer that it was a synthetic oil. They haven't told me yet where the noise is coming from but I have got a feeling they might want to contribute whatever is wrong to the fact that the oil was low. I am wondering:
1. if the oil is that low would that cause such damage to the engine?
2. is it normal for the synthetic oil to go down that fast?
Thanks

 

6000 miles... wow. You should be monitoring you oil weekly. I've noticed that our engines are sensitive to the types of oils we use. I always used mobile 1 and burn about half a quart to a quart every 4000 miles. Last oil change I used valvoline synpower and burned almost 2 quarts in less than 1000 miles. I'm just glad I check my oil frequently.

So to answer your first question, yes, low oil can result in catastrophic engine failure.

 

*Double Post*

 

+1, couldn't state it better myself. With our VQs, you have to constantly keep track of your oil level, if you don;t you will regret it..And it will be expensive..

 

Actually, I used mobil 1, too. But instead of 1/2 quart in 1000 miles like yours, mine has burned 1 quart every 1000 miles?! Doesn't that sound excessive?
And I have to say, it is surprising and disappointing that there is no warning light for the low oil level in this car.

 

That is pretty excessive and is a problem. You aren't the first person that has posted this. There's thread that's stickied explaining this somewhere.

Btw.. Mobile 1 sucks for our engines. Also it's no longer full synthetic. There's almost no such thing as full synthetic besides and select few. Most of them which you can only buy online. There's a thread on this too. Just search.

 

First 6K miles between oil changes is excessive and you should be checking the oil level frequently. Synthetic fluids are good for our Infinitis far better than Dino oil. You should know what oil you're using and if you're having someone change it, check your dip stick when you get home. If you didn't have this issue before switching to synthetic maybe they didn't put all five quarts in....you didn't check!
Gary

 

My question is, is there a trick to checking the oil due to the dipstick is a pain in the ***. By the time I get it up and out, its covered in oil, and unaccurate. I have not been able to read my oil properly for a while now... yes I know it sounds stupid.

 

^Shut the car off and let sit for 30 minutes before checking oil. No matter what car it is, you ALWAYS have to wipe off the excess oil from the dipstick before reinserting for a measurement.

 

I have used Mobil 1 oil in every vehicle I have owned and never had a problem with it burning off quickly. With our vehicles you have to check the oil often. I haven"t seen to many AT cars with excessive oil issues. Do a search for excessive oil use. I believe there is a TSB bulletin on this subject.

 

There's a TSB on the MT. I have an AT and I burn oil. I'm an 06 with 86,000 miles so I check oil every few gas station runs. (I also have been known to stomp on it, drive hard, and use the tiptronic or as some bozo called it, "tricktronic") If you hear a rattle when you accelerate or when the G is lagging, that could be a sign you're extremely low on oil.


Here's the TSB oil consumption thread. TSB