I switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic on my last oil change. I just changed my oil today and noticed that it drained only about a Quart of oil!!!! I was like wtf... I knew that i did leak some oil during the time, but not 3-4 quarts worth. Also i took the car to the dealership awhile back and they checked over and didn't see any leaks. I noticed today while changing the oil that there is oil all over the drain plug and on the pan, but was not leaking off of the pan onto the floor. Am I burning oil? What could be the cause of this? Also i've been periodically checking the oil with the dipstick and the readings were fine even though before this oil change. Its always read full but after draining the oil today i'm wondering if 'i'm reading the damn thing right. Also recently before my oil change today, my oil light has been blinking when taking hard turns, but not always. I'd say once every 10 times or so I do take a hard turn or stopping hard. Any input would be great. Thanks.

 

Well doesn't it sound like your drain plug is leaking?

 

Don't you ever check the oil level between oil changes? Here is a tip. Fill up with gas, check the oil level. Not perfect but 100x better than letting your oil level drop by 3/4.

 

Don't forget to replace the drain plug washer also. And torque the drain plug to the correct torque spec. You may also want to check your oil filter. Did you remember to check that the old filter's o-ring came off with the old filter? Sometimes it doesn't, and then the new filter does not make a good seal.

 

I really hope that your engine is not damaged. I'd also add that as Jeff said above, you've got to check your oil frequently, every fill up is not too often. You may think that it's overkill, especially after you've pulled the VQ's PITA dipstick a hundred times and seen the same thing, but this is how you catch a leak or burn problem at the very beginning. This does not sound like a problem with the synthetic, it sounds like whoever did the change did not take care to do the job right. Always give your car a good lookover when someone else (even a top mech) has worked on it. This is how you catch others' errors before it's too late. Good luck.

 

If you are familiar enough, smell the dipstick. Burning oil has a very unique smell.

 

Yeah most people don't know to replace the crush ring. Just about every Maxima that is brought to me seems to have had dozens of oil changes on the same ring. Some of them have undertorqued oil filters, drain plugs and spark plugs.

 

Where do you get your cruch rings? I've used the same one and have 47k with no leaks, but I know they are inexpensive.

 

We have an assorted drawer full of them at work. But you can get them at most auto parts stores or the Nissan dealer.