Oil consumption

SEAN HUTCHINSON

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN MAXIMA
3.5L
V6
2WD
80,000 MILES

Engine is consuming five liters of oil per 5,000 km. I am assuming this is considered excessive? My Dad bought the car brand new. Fifteen years later, only 111,000 km.

In six months, I have put 17,000 km on the car. In addition, he was using conventional oil. I switched to 5-30 FS.

Could this be this issue?

Thank you.

9 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,476 POSTS

I would consider it excessive, but many auto makers seem to think that it is fine for an engine to use a quart every 1,000 miles. The Nissan 3.5 is known for liking oil, multiple complaints about it. Most will use more synthetic than conventional oil as well. I would use regular oil and if you are in an area where it does not get cold you might try a 10W30 and see if it helps.

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 6:52 AM

SEAN HUTCHINSON

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6 POSTS

Thank you. It does get cold but it is not too bad. A little below freezing at most. So switch back to regular oil and opt for 10w30.

I have some of the Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Does this stuff actually work?

Thank you again!

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 6:57 AM

SEAN HUTCHINSON

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thank you. It does get cold but it's not too bad. A little below freezing at most. So switch back to regular oil and opt for 10w30.

I have some of the Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Does this stuff actually work?

Thank you again!

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 7:00 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,476 POSTS

It can, but in your case the issue is the piston rings. Nissan used metal that does not handle the heat like it should. The real repair is to pull the engine and replace the rings with better parts. However, when you look at the end costs of rebuilding, buying extra oil looks like a bargain.

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 7:34 AM

SEAN HUTCHINSON

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Steve, I cannot thank you enough. I agree regarding the cost of oil vs the alternative.

If I may, I have one last question. By continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition, how long can the engine last? Will it eventually cause something catastrophic?

Once again Steve, thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

Sean

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 7:44 AM

SEAN HUTCHINSON

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Steve, I can't thank you enough. I agree regarding the cost of oil vs the alternative.

If I may, I have one last question. By continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition, how long can the engine last? Will it eventually cause something catastrophic?

Once again Steve, thank you for your help. It's greatly appreciated.

Sean

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 7:45 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,476 POSTS

Well it will create carbon and soot that can cause issues with the converters and carbon build up in the engine. The heavier conventional oil should slow the oil burning some. If you wanted to you could simply start a "replace/rebuild the engine" savings account and run it until you either have a failure or just decide it is time, or maybe you get bored of it and decide to trade.

I have that for the Jeep I run. Started putting fifty bucks a week away right after we got it because the engines are known to be "finicky" It had 62,000 on it then, Has 234,000 on it now. I have enough money to buy a new car when it finally quits running!

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 1:40 PM

SEAN HUTCHINSON