I had the MO in for a for a visit early this year after getting an SES light. Since I couldn't get in to the dealer the next day and when I called they said not to worry about it("check the gas cap") I ended up driving around for about 10 days with the light on. The MO developed a peculiar 'growl' during this period when throttle was applied and when I called the dealer back they asked about the octane level in the gas I used, 91-93 as always. Got the MO in for an oil change and to have the SES light looked at. Got it back with no light and no growl.
Fast forward 3 months. The MO had another oil change at a quicky place(can't stand leaving a car for a day at the dealer for an over-priced oil change. They told me the oil was black and low(after 3500 miles). Changed it and off I go. Did some research and there aren't many who feel that oil changes at 3000 miles are necessary and mostly propaganda to get you into a dealer, make money for the oil companies, etc. Most modern oils are engineered for longevity as well as more demanding loads and I don't tow, race, or do baja in the MO.
Fast forward 2 months(about 2000miles). SES light is on, engine is growling again. Called the dealer and no response to voice mail, call back in a few days, schedule an appointment for the next week('no hurry. Check the gas cap...'). Change the oil early the next week in my other car and then check the MO for the heck of it. It's off the dipstick...! Added oil and the SES light and the growling go away. Top off the oil and take it in to the dealer and mention the lack of oil and no oil warning light.
Service states the oil warning light will come on with only a quart or so in the engine and damage is already being done...!? ie. it's a critical warning and you better fix it now(kind of like the ordeal with my alternator, by the time the lights show your 10 miles from dead).
I just read another post here about a guy who had a similar issue and the dealer said he had increased oil consumption because of an after-market air cleaner. I have nothing of the sort and the air filter is changed every two oil changes. As indicated above I do nothing out of the ordinary and drive mostly highway miles. How can I be going through that much oil in that little time and why the heck doesn't a 'low oil' warning light exist? The dealers are already jaded about the SES lights and consider them mostly a generic warning of some vague problem.
I've now resigned to checking the oil every other week, something I don't even do in my VW with 130k on it(my MO has 28k). I've never owned a new car that I checked the oil more than maybe once a month at best, most have gone oil change to oil change with nary a loss(my VW tosses maybe a 1/2 quart in 4000 miles).
Currently the dealer has marked the dipstick and sealed the cap and I'll bring it by in 1500 miles for a check, earlier if I get the noise or light back. This should be interesting. I'll skip the quick lube place next time just in case but it seems the dealer change had the same issue. Anyone else burning the oil this fast?
Fast forward 3 months. The MO had another oil change at a quicky place(can't stand leaving a car for a day at the dealer for an over-priced oil change. They told me the oil was black and low(after 3500 miles). Changed it and off I go. Did some research and there aren't many who feel that oil changes at 3000 miles are necessary and mostly propaganda to get you into a dealer, make money for the oil companies, etc. Most modern oils are engineered for longevity as well as more demanding loads and I don't tow, race, or do baja in the MO.
Fast forward 2 months(about 2000miles). SES light is on, engine is growling again. Called the dealer and no response to voice mail, call back in a few days, schedule an appointment for the next week('no hurry. Check the gas cap...'). Change the oil early the next week in my other car and then check the MO for the heck of it. It's off the dipstick...! Added oil and the SES light and the growling go away. Top off the oil and take it in to the dealer and mention the lack of oil and no oil warning light.
Service states the oil warning light will come on with only a quart or so in the engine and damage is already being done...!? ie. it's a critical warning and you better fix it now(kind of like the ordeal with my alternator, by the time the lights show your 10 miles from dead).
I just read another post here about a guy who had a similar issue and the dealer said he had increased oil consumption because of an after-market air cleaner. I have nothing of the sort and the air filter is changed every two oil changes. As indicated above I do nothing out of the ordinary and drive mostly highway miles. How can I be going through that much oil in that little time and why the heck doesn't a 'low oil' warning light exist? The dealers are already jaded about the SES lights and consider them mostly a generic warning of some vague problem.
I've now resigned to checking the oil every other week, something I don't even do in my VW with 130k on it(my MO has 28k). I've never owned a new car that I checked the oil more than maybe once a month at best, most have gone oil change to oil change with nary a loss(my VW tosses maybe a 1/2 quart in 4000 miles).
Currently the dealer has marked the dipstick and sealed the cap and I'll bring it by in 1500 miles for a check, earlier if I get the noise or light back. This should be interesting. I'll skip the quick lube place next time just in case but it seems the dealer change had the same issue. Anyone else burning the oil this fast?