What's normal?
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 613
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
What's normal?
So my "low engine oil" message came on today. I stopped by Jiffy Lube, which is where the previous owner had taken it. They filled it up for free because it wasn't quite time for a full change.
It took about a quart and a half. Is this normal? The sticker and computer where not entered correctly so I don't know exactly how many miles have put on since the last change, but I believe it is between 3,000 and 4,000 miles.
I read that the 00 and 01's had oil burning issues, mine is an 02. There is no oil to speak of leaking onto my garage floor. I just want to be sure that if it isn't normal, I do what I need to to have it fixed. If it is normal, then I'll be making a trip to Jiffy Lube to get free oil every once in a while
John
It took about a quart and a half. Is this normal? The sticker and computer where not entered correctly so I don't know exactly how many miles have put on since the last change, but I believe it is between 3,000 and 4,000 miles.
I read that the 00 and 01's had oil burning issues, mine is an 02. There is no oil to speak of leaking onto my garage floor. I just want to be sure that if it isn't normal, I do what I need to to have it fixed. If it is normal, then I'll be making a trip to Jiffy Lube to get free oil every once in a while
John
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 613
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
It was kind of cool, they topped off my windshield wiper fluid too. I didn't pay to have the original change done there, the previous owner did.
Now I just need to find a gas station with the same kind of service. You know to top off my tank every once in a while for FREE. Almost everything is better when it is free
Now I just need to find a gas station with the same kind of service. You know to top off my tank every once in a while for FREE. Almost everything is better when it is free
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
I have the same issue in my 02. I read that if you really get on it a lot, it will burn more oil. After about 1000-1200 miles of a fresh oil change, the low oil light will come on. The kicker is, i rarely get the RPM above 4000, only when getting on the highway. I rarely get on the highway....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: West Grove Pa
My '00 doesn't use a drop of oil between changes even with the install of the ECS supercharger. (has almost 41,000) I change my own oil so I know the level is right. Did you check to be sure Jiffy Lube put the correct amount of oil in when they changed it?
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Some oil may be used between oil changes, but IMO should not be in the quart/quart and a half range with that number of miles. Only exception may be if you really run the car hard. Otherwise, might be a good idea to keep a watch on it. Perhaps they place did not put in the right amount when they did the last change.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
I don't run it really hard. I use it for a daily drive, but I definitely get on it on a daily basis. This car is what inspires me to drive my butt to work every day
I guess now that I know it is at the proper level, I'll keep an eye on it and see what's up.
Thank you,
John
I guess now that I know it is at the proper level, I'll keep an eye on it and see what's up.
Thank you,
John
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 328
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From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '08
I don't run it really hard. I use it for a daily drive, but I definitely get on it on a daily basis. This car is what inspires me to drive my butt to work every day
I guess now that I know it is at the proper level, I'll keep an eye on it and see what's up.
Thank you,
John
I guess now that I know it is at the proper level, I'll keep an eye on it and see what's up.
Thank you,
John
Mine's a daily drive too. Mine does not use any oil. Bought it last Oct with 25K miles and it has 44K miles now.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Liberty Hill Texas
A few weeks after I first purchased my car (August last year) I had the same issue. I put a little over 1 quart in and the light went out. Car had 29K on it when I purchased it. It now has 48K on it and that is the ONLY time it's ever used any oil. 
Apparently, I'm not capable of reading a dipstick (or I am one) as I did not see that the oil was low while checking it in my garage. I have had 3 Oil changes since I purchased the car and other then just a few days after first purchase, it has not needed any oil between changes and that light has not come on again, either.
Mine is a '00 coupe.
I would say just monitor it for a few weeks )4-6); checking the oil level weekly and go from there. Unless it's just burning it, could have just been low when purchased.
Apparently, I'm not capable of reading a dipstick (or I am one) as I did not see that the oil was low while checking it in my garage. I have had 3 Oil changes since I purchased the car and other then just a few days after first purchase, it has not needed any oil between changes and that light has not come on again, either.Mine is a '00 coupe.
I would say just monitor it for a few weeks )4-6); checking the oil level weekly and go from there. Unless it's just burning it, could have just been low when purchased.
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I've got a 00-Coupe, 48k miles and I've never had an oil issue either, no runs, no leaks, no drips, no burning of oil, and I do a WOT on her every now and than. Maybe you were shorted at the oil change?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 400
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
That is a good possibility, thing is, i took it to the dealer that i bought it from. They have about 7 or 8 vettes in the lot and in the showroom. I would think they know a thing or two about vettes. Maybe a new technician?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,617
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From: San Diego California
I got 3 words...Royal Purple..okay that was 2.
Why, if I may - are you taking it to Jiffy Lube? They probably put the wrong amount of oil in your baby. I think you should change the oil yourself.
Why, if I may - are you taking it to Jiffy Lube? They probably put the wrong amount of oil in your baby. I think you should change the oil yourself.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 613
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
I took it there mostly to get info from the previous change that was done by the previous owner. They did put the nicer Mobil stuff in. I think the first Jiffy Lube probably didn't fill it all of the way, they couldn't even type the mileage correctly into the computer.
I'm not afraid to do changes myself, but as for putting it in the hands of others... It all depends on the people. You could have the best dealership in the country do it, but it could be the new guy or the guy who it's his last day and doesn't care. You could go to some hole in the ground dive and get some perfectionist that loves your car as much as you. Good and bad service can come from anywhere.
I'm not afraid to do changes myself, but as for putting it in the hands of others... It all depends on the people. You could have the best dealership in the country do it, but it could be the new guy or the guy who it's his last day and doesn't care. You could go to some hole in the ground dive and get some perfectionist that loves your car as much as you. Good and bad service can come from anywhere.