So my mom sold me her 03 i35 really cheap cause she got a new car. It only has 60k. Now, my mom is older and never knows to do things like check the oil, she just knows to change it when it's due. I noticed when I got the car from her that its time to change the oil, which I always do myself, and it was about 3/4 a quart low ( 1/4 the way up the stick from low) I know this is technically still in the "safe operating range" but if this has been common, in that toward the end of the oil life the car has been run with "less than full" oil, would that have any effect on longevity? I Plan on driving this car for a while.

 

Yes! Use the "search" feature. Plenty of posts about this!

 

Relevant posts are not jumping out at me in search.

 

You're fine. Most of these earlier 3.5 engines burned oil.

 

Check it every 1000 miles and keep it topped off

 

thanks. ill definitely keep it right now that i own it, just wanted to make sure it wasnt going to cause problems down the road.

 

Many people, including myself just make sure the oil level is halfway between the low and high marks and call it a day. Being 1/4 of the way up from the low mark shouldn't really be a problem. Does your car make any knocking noises? Just make sure you keep everything at the right level, topped off and fuggedaboutit.

 

no noises or knocking. Runs great. thanks for the input and advice

 

I didnt want to start a new thread, but after driving the car for a few days im noticing a mild whine (best i can describe it) in low rpm's. doesnt happen all the time, and i only notice it when im lightly on and off the gas from a stop (probably because it's easiest to ear then). It doesnt carry through the RPM range, or if it does i cant hear it over the engine noise. I know noises are hard to give advice on, ill try to get a video next time it does it. Do the earlier model vq35's have the timing chain tensioner issue? seemed like i read it mostly effects 04+

alternator was just replaced a few months ago (factory alternator), it got a new engine mount, and i just changed the oil. (5w30 mobil 1 oil and filter) only things that have changed recently.