motor oil usage
 

I cover 3000 miles every six weeks.
I noticed yesterday when I changed the oil, that only 3 quarts of oil came out of the engine, while it holds 5 quarts.
The engine isn't smoking nor leaking.
Has anybody noticed this on their Aerio???
I have about 25000 miles on the motor.

Gerrit

RE: motor oil usage
 

i would try to check it much more often....when you add 5 quarts in, there will always be a minor amount of burnoff...on a newer vehicle, it shouldnt be much...but keep in mind..the oil sticks to everything inside the engine...so no matter what you do, shy of taking the motor apart and scrubbing everything, you never get all of the oil out of the engine when it is changed...

but all in all, i would keep a closer eye on the oil level..perhaps once a week.

RE: motor oil usage
 

I FOUND, that there is more or less oil left over, depending on how you use your car, and where you use it.

If you are driving aggressivley, or have a lead foot, you will notice alot less oil left over than if you were to drive moderatly, at decent highway speeds. In the city, youl notice you burn more oil than if you were to be a highway driver. What i do to fix that, is i dont lend my car to anyone, and i drive like a responsible, defensive human being should, and check my oil frequently, every time i fill up, because you notice it gets blacker and you may need to change it BEFORE reccomended warrenty changes, because you loose performance and gas mileage the longer you go while the oil is black. blah blah..yeh

RE: motor oil usage
 

For starteers there is no need to change your oil every 3000 miles, your suzuki manual even suggests ever 7500 miles. The motor holds 5 quarts, but will normally only drain 4 - 4.5...so never fill up a full 5 quarts, although some do, but I find you get better gas mileage with the level just under the top dot.

But I do find you need to check your oil level at about 3000 and I usually have to add a quart inbetween oil changes. And my findings conflict with WillK's, in that I find I burn more on long trips driven on the HWY than I do city driving. As I had to add almost an entire quart of a weeks vacation, and I normally only have to do that as I said inbetween oil changes.

RE: motor oil usage
 

You will notice that under your vehichles warrenty, it states you must follow the reccomended changes and inspections, or your 100000km drivetrain warrenty goes down the drain, if you go to make a claim on warrenty, that's the first thing they check, is for proof that you have been changing the oil every 3000miles (approx) if you dont have it, they moan and refuse service because you didnt do the proper maintenence. Get the oil changed every 3000miles (5000km) at least till the odometer reaches 100 000km, then do as you please, unless you could care less and have a million dollars to get some mechanic to fix it, who says he/she needs "special tools" to replace that head gasket, and charges you 300$ more.

As for the oil loss...keep checking, and topping up to the hole in the dipstick, engine need some more working in prolly...who knows, if it's a big deal, take it in and let the d00ds look at it at the dealership.

RE: motor oil usage
 

and yes, long trips will do that[sm=smiley32.gif]

RE: motor oil usage
 

I've been changing out my oil every 3k I live in New Mexico a lot of sand and dust and hwy driving I havn't seen any burn off every time I get the oil changed They replace 5 qts each time telling me that was what is still there so no complaints. I use 5w30r/5w30 Penzoil only I used mobile/castol gtx and they make my car run hard and squel like a pig going up and down hills. When I use penzoil it's nice and smooth I don't even know if my engine is on. I also put Shell gas Oct 88/90 so plus and v-power on grades. During the winter I use 90 since my engine works more for snow, threw out the year I use plus. I'm a Penzoil/Shell man

RE: motor oil usage
 

Well Will, Im here to tell you that your the victum of industry hype and your fear of warranty claims are unjust.

Fact is Will, that same lil book that has your warranty info...also states that our oil change intervals can be stretched to 7500 miles(unless your a cop or delivery guy/severe usage)...and also worth noting, I use only synthetic and I could actually strech my intervals further, but I still do it at 7500 miles...but they all still will put the 3000 mile sticker on your window when they change your oil.

BTW I dont change my own oil currently, I goto the dealer for $10 and also bring my own oil instead of thier inferior brand...and I get warranty complaints taken care of while Im there...and Im not bashful about flexing my warranty!

Also worth noting: Dealerships/service departments are jackasses and know nothing about oil...in fact mine poured 10w50 in mine on more than one occassion! It destroyed my gas mileage the entire time! Until I brought it to their attention they were using the wrong ****e! And thier response was "well we use that same oil in all the cars we service"!!! "We didnt know, it could do that" and thus they stopped doing that!!!

Realize these dealerships have to PROVE that something you did or a part you installed caused the failure...its in the Moss-Magnus warranty act...if your not familiar with it then familiarize your self and be free of all this warranty fear and start having fun instead of worring! Its your damn car!

RE: motor oil usage
 

Rockin, thanks dude, i had no idea, yeah, i heard of some mecanics doing changes on cars with synthetic use the same oil they drained on their own cars since it lasts so long. I think i'm going to read this book a little more in depth, that's some good info. I'd never do my own oil changes till the warrenty is up, wich is not too far now, (another 43000km to go!) i take it to a place, just so i have written proof, and i have someone ELSE to blame for dropping a nut in my crank case heheh....right after THAT i will do up the intake and such....

wich brings me to a question that you would more than likely be able to help me with...

Do you know if i would void my warrenty by putting on a cold air intake? If not, it is to my understanding that AEM makes the best, if not only, cold air intake for the Aerio...as far as i know...

Another thing. What kind of things have you done to your car? Other than the decals and such, i'm curious.

RE: motor oil usage
 

READ THIS!!! Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

You really need to know your rights about your car and warranty!

RE: motor oil usage
 

Thanks man, i had no idea this existed, buahahah, damn... thanks again!

RE: motor oil usage
 

Yeah, so you can do what ever you want to your car...they have to PROVE it cause the problem, they cant just say well youve installed (blank) and now you have no warranty! And alot of places will even try you, and say that...and believe it or not alot of them are totally unaware of that warranty act too.

RE: motor oil usage
 

Ive notice the past couple of weeks that my fluid levels have been getting high. For example, I check my power str flu was at max last week and this week it's up to the bottle neck. Same for brake flu, AC coolent etc. The weather has changed last week was at the high 80's this week high 90's-100. Can this be the issue has anyone experience this ?? I live in New Mexico where the temp gets to the high 100's.

RE: motor oil usage
 

i just bought a 2005 . i have had it 2 days. love the car. the dealer told me he would drain the first change at 1000 miles at no charge. then 3000 miles is recommended. does anyone know when its safe to change to synthetic??

RE: motor oil usage
 

thank you for posting that shortbus,..

RE: motor oil usage
 

BTW read your owners manual about oil change intervals...I bet your dealer would like you to do 3000 mile intervals...but the manual calls for 5000-7500 mile oil changes...and with synthetic you could really push it to the 7500 limit and still maintain warranty.

Let him do the 1000 mile one....and if you get cheap or free oil changes...go ahead and bring our own oil(your favorate synthetic flavor) and let him do em...while your there tend to your warranty concerns at the same time. After about 7500 Ive usually got a couple of minor complaints that are usually covered by warranty...unfortunate for me, my 36k warranty run up, so all Ive got left now is the 100k...needless to say Im doing my own oil changes now. I also find for the best service(least amount of waiting) have them schedule it first thing in the morning...and then watch em like a hawk! Stand there...if your not there, often they wont fixi it propperly...cause the mechanic usually cant ask you personally.

One last piece of advice...ask if anybody working there in the service department actually drives a Suzuki...and them have only them work on your car! Nobody else really seems to get it...trust me!

RE: motor oil usage
 

my bro just gor a job at GM dealership in the shop, so i am happy to announce, i get the family discount!! they'l do my car too! so oil changes will be like 20$ now for the regular quaker state stuff, i'm working on synthetic as soon as it's financialy possible

RE: motor oil usage
 

they still charge you 20 for an oil change?

RE: motor oil usage
 

as oppose to 39, yeah

RE: motor oil usage
 

You all should be very conciencious about your warranty! My 03 Aerio with no mods, and proof of 3000 mile oil changes, needs an engine at 50K! The district Suzuki rep said that rod bearings on #2 self destructed. The other three show signs of excessive wear. He also stated - "somewhere in the life of this vehicle, the engine was starved for oil causing the damage. Since this is not a defect, we can not cover this under warranty". Like all of you, I noticed that this car uses oil between changes and would top it off, . I'm not familiar with the law you're referring to, but I'm very interested in knowing about it. Other forums on the web have shown me that I am not alone with being denied warranty service, particularly when it comes to engine replacement. In the Northeast region, I have found almost identical scenarios in 9 other cases on the same year vehicle. My fight isn't over yet, since I'm contemplating a class action suit against the dealer and Suzuki. Trouble is, replacement engine swap from a local engine guy is $1800 w/ 1 year warrany.....suzuki wants $5100 for an engine with a 100K warranty (not 100k additional, 100k total = 50k from now). This on a car worth less than $4k. My attorney (whose licking his chops about this) wants a $2k retainer. Bottom line......these engines are just not quality merchandise, and "America's #1 Warranty" does not exist with Suzuki.

RE: motor oil usage
 

Interesting story! My 03 Aerio is still running great @ 83K..dont have proof of the oil changes...but I get em done. My biggest fear is my tranny right now, the fluid has never been changed.

I talked to some people, and labour for this service is 100$, parts extra. Since there are no aftermarket gaskets for the Aerio, they have no idea what the parts will cost from Suzuki but I do know I will be paying much less for the parts through these people than the actual Suzuki dealer where my car came from...

Yeh I prety much got stiffed through the dealer, all they want is your $$, then for you to go away. Live and learn I suppose, but I love my car even though I dont do anymore business with that Suzuki dealership.


Anyway, sometimes all it takes is to be a little pushy... I suggest you go in and shout at the Foreman of the dealership where you got your car. Make sure you bring your papers prooving your oil changes tho! :D I dont know why they wouldnt just do the work that needs to be done if you had proof, it's not their fault the engine's fudged, it's the manufacture's fault.

Your engine must have been assembled on either a Monday, or a Friday...or just before a long weekend lol;)

I feel bad for you dude