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I checked my oil today....


AUSTINCTS1

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After reading a tip on this board about checking oil levels, I checked by oil today and it was almost a quart low. My CTS had major engine work about two weeks ago (replaced LH CYL. HEAD, Excessive play in the LH intake camshaft), so maybe it just neeeded a little more oil. I should have checked it sooner though.

Here is my question: I changet the oil every 5k miles, so normally I don't check the oil. But as I mentioned above, a tip was posted here that we should check oil and other items everytime we fill up.

Is it normal to have to add oil in between oil changes? In other words, is it normal that a car will burn (use) oil so that you have to add oil now and then?

Thanks in advance.

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I have no experience with the 3.6 engine; Bruce will be able to comment with specifics. You might consider learning to trust the Oil Life Monitor for oil change intervals.

Jim

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Most new cars are designed to use a quart about every 2,000 miles, with the range of a quart ever 1,000 to 5,000 miles being acceptable. Less means that the valve guides and pistons may not be getting enough lubrication, and more than a quart every 1,000 miles while under warranty will justify correctional work.

It's hard to judge exactly what the oil level is in a newly assembled engine without running it for a few minutes. I would top it off and watch it in the future and make sure that it goes more than 1,000 miles per quart.

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Yes, the 3.6L can use a bit of oil between oil changes. There are a variety of technical reasons for this, but it is normal. The 3.6L has a high oil pressure even with low oil level and has difficult detecting when it is low on oil. It started with an oil level sensor but that was deleted in 2006 or so. Best practice is check the oil every gas stop on any car if convenient, as per previous posts. I kind of keep an eye on oil level overall and don't worry about it otherwise.

I use the oil life monitor for determining when the oil needs to be changed. I monitor the oil level on the dipstick as needed and add oil if low.

Bruce

2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

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