I just switched to Mobil 1 full synthetic at my last service. I am about 400 miles from my next service and it's ready for a quart. When I had regular Valvoline in it, it never used a drop. Is this normal when you switch to full synthetic?

No, it's not normal to use that much oil. How many miles do you have on your car? Do you see any leaks, smoke, etc.?

It's got 81,000 miles on it.
 

There's no visible leaks, no white smoke from the exhaust, nothing. If this keeps up, I may go back to regular oil. I'll give it a couple more changes.

Re: It's got 81,000 miles on it.
 

I bought my '98 w/24k miles on it and it did burn oil intermittently during the first few changes w/synthetic. I was first using Castrol and have switched to Mobil 1 during my last two changes. It hasn't burned anything between changes recently.
If you have a shop do the changes, make sure they are filling it completely. It should take 4 1/4 quarts.

98 SE
5 Speed
CAI
Y Pipe
RT cat
Mid Pipe
Stock Muffler

?
 

Some people say a 1qt. is normal for 3k. In the maxima I am not sure I agree. I bet they didn't fill it all the way up and used about 1/2qt which is acceptable.

Monitor it and make your move from there!

SHUMAX

fyi
 

i was reading on a 300z site and they said when switching to full synthetic oil, use the blended first, they said it just sems to be a better way. i didn't do it. i would have if i knew this. like weening a baby from a bottle. i would just change the oil and filter again and see what happens if there are no signs of leaking and burning. that stupid oil stick is a pain to read.

Re: It's got 81,000 miles on it.
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BSwithTF
[I]Go back to the regular oil any way because it is a waste of money. At least that is what Consumer Reports says.

Well,
 

At Havoline today, I asked about their full-synthetic oil and they said that it is GREAT for low-mileage cars. He said that anything over 75,000 should use either semi-synthetic or regular oil because full-synthetic is thinner and will leak out of worn-out clamps and hoses. He said, however, that you could still use it, but he recommends not. Just adding in my .02 cents.

Thanks for all the help.
 

I may give that oil from Valvoline a try that is specially formulated for higher mileage engines. Supposed to have an additive to help the seals and stuff. What do guys think? Anyone using that?

Re: fyi
 

Try reading the back of the oil stick (the side without the markings). It should provide you with a more precise gauge.