I have a '96 Ford Explorer, with a 5.0 V8. It now has almost 100k on it, but I bought it w/ 80k a year ago.

I has, for about 5 oil changes, never burned more than 1/2 quart of oil or so. Last change I go in - they tell me its off the stick. I was like, "uh, no - its not." I used to always check it, never low... so that oil change I never checked it once (BAD ME!!). So I assumed that the idiots put in the amount of oil for the V6 (which is what is in 90%+ of the late 90's Explorers) and never checked it afterwards. Well, I've been driving this last 3000 miles. Checked the oil after 1,000 - just a little low, maybe 1/4 quart. Checked again at about 2,000 miles and I was just over 1/2 quart low. Forgot to check today before I went in (to a different Jiffy Lube), so I asked him to let me know where my level was. He tells me that it was off the stick. WHAT??

Any opinions? I have NO blue smoke what-so-ever from my exhaust. It was down about 1/2 a quart 1,000 miles ago after 2k of driving. I did notice that they start the truck, drive in over two bumpy things to get over the bay, kill the engine, and immediately pull the dipstick. How much of a difference will that make in the reading after having it running and then sloshing around driving up over the bay?

Thanks guys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> for the help.

The good state of AZ honored mine (and we honor yours) - which was very nice when I went to Tucson 6 months ago.

Running it and then checking immediately will have a noticeable impact on the measurement!

I really like my D2 TAK (that WD hooked me up with) and my D2 RAT3.

I think the Mutt is going to win out for my small "survival" knife - but for a utility knife, those are two of my sharpest and stay sharp knives. And... I haven't had any issues "touching up" the edges on them. I'm sure a reprofile could be difficult though.

Let it sit for a minute or two for the oil to make its way back to the oilpan.

One thing you can do it pull a spark plug (when the engine is COLD!!) and take a look at it for any oily residue to show oil consumption.

A vehicle can consume oil and not show the expected blue smoke. I had been driving a pickup that burnt almost a liter of oil per 800 miles and never had unusual exaust.

Good! Those guys just want to sell me their expensive "high mileage vehicle" oil. I KNEW it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

It just didn't make any sense to me, mathematically!

If I were to be burning 2 quarts of oil (off stick) in 3k miles, I'd be seeing blue smoke, right??

This is like one of those evil word problems from the SAT tests Dice. I assume they were pulling the dipstick, whiping it down and then putting it back in to pull it again to get the reading? Have you looked at the oil pan? Any oil around there? Any dripage after it sits for a night?

No leaks... at all!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

http://www.theultralightplace.com/sparkplugs.htm

spark plug readin

Everyone gives that thing a great bill of health - even when I don't ask for one. "Wow - that thing is in great shape for a '96! Suspension is real tight, no leaks..."

Unfortunately no, you might not see blue smoke.

Does one of your neighbors cars have an oil leak? Perhaps he is stealing yours? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />