I'm just coming up to the first oil change at 5,000 km (3,000 miles) and my oil level has dropped just below the midway point between the low and high mark. Is it normal for the oil level to drop this much before the first oil change? Will my oil consumption improve once I put on more miles?

I don't believe any of my previous vehicles used any oil between oil changes until they were well over 100,000 km.

Hi Kanus,

Do you know for sure it dropped? Could it have been that level all along?
Did you check it when brand new to compare?

Jim

I checked it at the dealer when I took delivery and it was right on the full line. I know I've been a bit slack in checking the oil as I should've been checking the level more frequently.

Wow.. gotcha.

You wouldn't think you would have to check a new Jeep that often.

I wonder if there is some kind of absorption that new cars go thru with the inital fill of oil.

Boy we hope so.

Jim

Y'know, I wouldn't be too concerned. Things have to seat during break-in, I know the new engines supposedly have tighter clearances and the break-in period is shorter, but it is still a new engine.

Wait until after you have your first oil change, then take levels on a weekly basis for about a month, see how it is going. Check your driveway or garage floor for signs of oil spots. Check the exhaust. A smoky exhaust could indicate a piston ring that is allowing oil to get past into the firing chamber. Spots on the floor could mean a leaking gasket. In any case, just take those readings after the first oil change, I bet it will be OK. If not, that's what a warranty is for! Good luck!

I agree with johnda. New cars still tend to absorb oil when breaking in. The first 500 miles in our Odyssey, it dropped a qt+. The Patriot wasn't as noticable, but it has stayed constant after our first oil change (2000mi or around there)

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm certainly going to monitor the oil level more regularly than I have to date. I don't have any oil drips on my driveway so I don't think there's a leak. I"ll have to check the exhaust to see if there's any smoke or smell. I'm hoping it's something that will improve after the first oil change

OK, good luck Kanus, we're rootin' for ya!:smiley_thumbs_up:

I remember reading, the marks on the oilstick between safe and unsafe represent 1 qt, so you have lost only half a quart (out of 4 1/2) in 3000miles of break-in period. Most likely no cause for concern, imo.
Cheers!

It may not be a lot of oil, however most cars I've owned used next to no oil until they were almost on their last legs. I wouldn't expect a new car to use a noticeable amount of oil at all, unless it is related to break-in.

It may not be a lot of oil, however most cars I've owned used next to no oil until they were almost on their last legs. I wouldn't expect a new car to use a noticeable amount of oil at all, unless it is related to break-in.

Well, normally, I'd agree. But, since I actually read the complete owners manual last night, I have to note that the owners manual says that using some oil prior to the first oil change is normal. I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like that. Right now it's raining, and I'm not going out to get it to check. Someone feel free to quote directly...

Well, normally, I'd agree. But, since I actually read the complete owners manual last night, I have to note that the owners manual says that using some oil prior to the first oil change is normal. I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like that. Right now it's raining, and I'm not going out to get it to check. Someone feel free to quote directly...

Thanks for checking the owner's manual. I need to read it a little more myself.

First oil change at 2,000 miles today, checked right before I started it up this morning, and my Pat has burned about half a quart since it's birthday. Still looked pretty clean, probably could have let it go another couple thousand if I needed to. Replaced the old stuff with 5w20 Mobil synthetic.

I did my first oil change (with synthetic) at 750 miles.

Today I checked at 3600 miles and I was down a little less than half a quart, but the oil was super clean considering almost 3000 miles since the last change.

However, I think when I changed the oil the first time, I checked the oil level BEFORE I started the engine. So its possible that the Oil filter absorbed the oil and so its not as high on the dipstick.