Low oil Light

[helicopter23]

My low oil light came on. I had an oil change about 2700 miles ago which was about 3.5 months. The DIC says I have 61% oil left (usually low oil light comes on around 50%)

Should I just check the oil using the dipstick?

[richtazz]

The low oil light has nothing to do with oil life, it is telling you your oil level is low. If the dipstick shows your oil level is fine, then the oil level sensor in the oil pan is probably bad.

[BNaylor]

I would use the dipstick as soon as possible to see if the oil level is actually low.

[helicopter23]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

I would use the dipstick as soon as possible to see if the oil level is actually low.

Checked the dispstick and its low, what is possibly from? Is my engine suppose to be burning this amount of oil after 2700 miles and 3 months?

I think the shop that changes my oil has been using 5w-30, I'm going to switch it up 10w-30 being the summer in western, ny. To burn less oil.

[doctorhrdware]

The 5 in the 5w30 would be for the winter, so that would not do any good. But it is not a good idea to change the oil weight other then what GM recommends for your car.

[helicopter23]

So I should be putting 10w-30 in now?

Is 5w-30 okay in the winther?

[tblake]

3100 or 3800?

GM recommends 10w30 for SII 3800's, and 5w30 for 3100's. I have ran 10w30 in a 3100 during the summer months with no issues.

Sounds like you have a leak somewhere. Climb under and find it!

[helicopter23]

Originally Posted by tblake

3100 or 3800?

GM recommends 10w30 for SII 3800's, and 5w30 for 3100's. I have ran 10w30 in a 3100 during the summer months with no issues.

Sounds like you have a leak somewhere. Climb under and find it!

I have 3800 series.

I get my oil changed every 3k miles which equates to about 4 months. How many quarts of oil should I be burning in that timetable.

Pontiac grand prix gt 3800 107k

[tblake]

Ideally 0.

It gets 4.5 quarts which lines the oil perfectlly to the full line on the dipstick.

My car leaks a little, it might be down about a half quart between changes. Its coming out the oil pan gasket and/or the rear main seal. It has not yet gotten to the point that its an issue.

Are you sure it is being burnt? Do you have blue exhaust? Maybe its a bad valve guide seal.

How many miles are on your GP?

[tblake]

BTW, have you replaced your valve cover gaskets yet?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by helicopter23

How many quarts of oil should I be burning in that timetable.

Technically it should not be burning any but some minor use is acceptable. On our '99 Regal LS with the same engine we use about 1/4 qt between 3K interval oil changes. It you are burning up a quart then your engine has issues such as internal wear or obvious external leaking.