Z Broke Down :(

m4a1mustang · 08-12-2009, 09:47 AM

Well it really isn't very difficult to keep under control. Just check your oil regularly and top off as needed. Eventually you'll know what is normal for your specific car and it will become second nature.

I burned maybe 3/8ths of a quart in almost 1500 miles. At this rate I might burn a full quart in 4500 miles... not that big of a deal. I just need to make sure I keep a supply of Redline on hand.

I do think it's important that this issue is raised, though. There are going to be a lot of new owners coming from cars that don't really burn any oil... they aren't going to know that they need to be checking levels regularly and could use a little nudge in the right direction.

wstar · 08-12-2009, 10:14 AM

Another thing to keep in mind on this, a lot of people seem to be checking in and saying "I just checked my oil for the first time at 2K (or whatever low number) miles and it's low". That doesn't necessarily mean anything about oil consumption if this is the first time you've looked at your dipstick on the factory fill. For all you know, it was filled slightly low at the factory. To measure consumption, you need to have a baseline from you checking the dipstick yourself at an earlier mileage, and you need to check the dipstick under roughly identical conditions both times in terms of how hot or cold the engine is when you shut it off, and how long you wait to check. Personally I like to get the engine fully warmed up (180+ oil temps, preferably 200), then shut it down and wait about 10 full minutes to check the level.

zZSportZz · 08-12-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Another thing to keep in mind on this, a lot of people seem to be checking in and saying "I just checked my oil for the first time at 2K (or whatever low number) miles and it's low". That doesn't necessarily mean anything about oil consumption if this is the first time you've looked at your dipstick on the factory fill. For all you know, it was filled slightly low at the factory. To measure consumption, you need to have a baseline from you checking the dipstick yourself at an earlier mileage, and you need to check the dipstick under roughly identical conditions both times in terms of how hot or cold the engine is when you shut it off, and how long you wait to check. Personally I like to get the engine fully warmed up (180+ oil temps, preferably 200), then shut it down and wait about 10 full minutes to check the level.

I have a baseline. I burned oil after my oil change. Just saying...

wstar · 08-12-2009, 11:14 AM

I haven't had any noticeable oil burn to date that I'm aware of. Dipstick stays constant under a given set of checking conditions throughout the life of an oil change for me so far. I'll be changing my oil again today, so I'll get another double-check on this before I drain.

nicknick · 08-12-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Well it really isn't very difficult to keep under control. Just check your oil regularly and top off as needed. Eventually you'll know what is normal for your specific car and it will become second nature.

I burned maybe 3/8ths of a quart in almost 1500 miles. At this rate I might burn a full quart in 4500 miles... not that big of a deal. I just need to make sure I keep a supply of Redline on hand.

I do think it's important that this issue is raised, though. There are going to be a lot of new owners coming from cars that don't really burn any oil... they aren't going to know that they need to be checking levels regularly and could use a little nudge in the right direction.

No you should'nt have to top off your oil this often. My MX5 is a "revvy" motor but it does not consume anyoil, of course I don't rev to redline some here do all the time.

08-12-2009, 09:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6964	Well it really isn't very difficult to keep under control. Just check your oil regularly and top off as needed. Eventually you'll know what is normal for your specific car and it will become second nature. I burned maybe 3/8ths of a quart in almost 1500 miles. At this rate I might burn a full quart in 4500 miles... not that big of a deal. I just need to make sure I keep a supply of Redline on hand. I do think it's important that this issue is raised, though. There are going to be a lot of new owners coming from cars that don't really burn any oil... they aren't going to know that they need to be checking levels regularly and could use a little nudge in the right direction. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-12-2009, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	Another thing to keep in mind on this, a lot of people seem to be checking in and saying "I just checked my oil for the first time at 2K (or whatever low number) miles and it's low". That doesn't necessarily mean anything about oil consumption if this is the first time you've looked at your dipstick on the factory fill. For all you know, it was filled slightly low at the factory. To measure consumption, you need to have a baseline from you checking the dipstick yourself at an earlier mileage, and you need to check the dipstick under roughly identical conditions both times in terms of how hot or cold the engine is when you shut it off, and how long you wait to check. Personally I like to get the engine fully warmed up (180+ oil temps, preferably 200), then shut it down and wait about 10 full minutes to check the level. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

08-12-2009, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	I haven't had any noticeable oil burn to date that I'm aware of. Dipstick stays constant under a given set of checking conditions throughout the life of an oil change for me so far. I'll be changing my oil again today, so I'll get another double-check on this before I drain. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

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