Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General What?s Normal Oil Consumption in a Non-SVT Duratec?

My 95 SE seems to lose 3/4 qt every 3000 miles. It's done that since around 30K miles, when I switched to synthetic. Subsequent changes with Castrol GTX showed much less oil burning, go figure. I don't worry about it too much, but do watch the oil level.

-Lance

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Lance Kinley
CEG Webmaster
95SE, mods galore
See my profile for details

95 GL Duratec, 70k miles. I change the Mobil-1 5W30 every 5,000 miles. The engine uses about 1/4 of a quart in 5k! I've never had to add oil to this engine...must have gotten a good one.

A car that doesn't burn oil doesn't exist. All cars will burn oil to some extent. 1 quart every 1000miles is a given max though. Research has shown me that oil MUST get past the rings, as a sign that wear is being prevented. Oil levels that don't change is an illusion. As the oil is burned off, it is replaced by combustion byproducts and water. This gives the illusion of no oil consumption. If found excessive though keep an eye open for leaks and any blue smoke. If none of these conditions exist, don;t worry too much about it. My car burs at least a quart every oil 3000miles. Mostly evident though after a highway run where the oil gets hot enough to boil off the water and crap and show my true oil level.

That could be it too...my commute to work is between 32 and 25 miles depending on which route I take, that's probably plenty of time for the oil to get hot enough for the crap to boil off.

Vs. someone who has a 5-mile commute to work and never sees their oil level drop.