I own a Maxima 1997 with standard issue engine.
I changed my oil and oil filter. I used Castrol 10-30. After 2000 miles, I noticed a louder tapping of the valves. I had 37000 miles on the engine at the time I changed the oil. I checked and found the engine to be a quart of oil low. After topping it off, the noise disappeared. Am I using the wrong oil or is this year engine noted for using this much oil after 2000 miles. The engine has no oil leaks and the engine shows no indication of previous oil leaks. The engine is almost spartan clean.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Umm, it depends on the climate, but use what your owners manual recomends, can't go wrong there. I use 5w-30, and I haven't noticed any oil consumtion really. I usually change my oil between 3500-5000 miles. I installed a new muffler, and after almost 1000 miles, there is still no soot on the tip, so I think my engine is burning pretty damn clean, considering my mods and all. One thing, did you check your oil hot or cold? When you filled it, did you start it up, check it after it warmed up, or just went with it? When you change your oil, you have to start the car, let it warm up, then check it again. The oil level should be checked at operating temperature. Good luck.

 

Burning one quart per thousand miles is considered acceptable. Most engines burn much less than this. Yours burns half a quart per thousand miles. This is not wonderful but it is not a terrible thing either. Keep an eye on that dipstick and replenish as necessary.

 

I would suggest checking the oil sending unit for leaks. When mine leaked, it was very subtle and barely left a drop on my driveway. I only noticed it when I happened to crawl under the car to check something else out.

As for oil consumption, unfortunately Nissan will tell you that 1 qt every 1000 miles is normal. Seems very high to me, but that is the accepted industry standard. Do what Daniel Martin suggested, just keep a close eye on the oil level and refill when necessary. Next time you change your oil, fill it all the way to the very top of the hashed area on the dipstick. That will give you about a 1/2 qt extra oil to work with.