Oil usage

[Jeff]

I just changed my oil this afternoon, a lovely warm day in MA. This should take me thru the winter.
I use Mobil 1, full syn, 5-30 and the standard Taco filter, its been 6200 miles since the last change and I would say the truck "used" about 1/4 of a quart in that time. Oil was still fairly clean.

I don't know if any one else keeps track of this but I thought I would pass it along.

Jeff 06,V6, 6spd, 4x4, SR5, bone stock Love my bright red taco

[lsocoee]

did you change it last time too?

[Jeff]

No, I did not as I had won a $80.00 gift cert from a silent auction, at a very good local garage. It was for a spring time check up, filters, lube etc. I know these guys well and I brought the Mobil 1, they got a Taco filter, changed out the air filter and cabin filter and we called it even. They also checked the truck over overall when it was up on the lift ...... that was at 16,000 miles.
I have set my oil changes at about 6200miles with the Mobil syn, as the oil is still clean.
I prefer to change the oil myself and don't have the facilitys to do it in a garage.

Jeff 06, V6, SR5 4x4, 6spd bone stock Love my bright red taco

[Janster]

How do you know it used 1/4 quart?

[Jeff]

Drained it back into the container, as I take it over to my neighbor who uses old oil to help heat his business.

Jeff ,06, V6, SR5, 4x4, 6spd

[JTDTacoma]

Did you account for the oil remaining in the old oil filter?

[Jeff]

There was a little oil in the filter but I always drain it out into my oil catch pan and then funnel it into the old 5qt container. So I am reasonably sure that my Taco used approx 1/4 of a quart.
I would like to see if any other forum members measure there oil. I don't have to change my oil much (twice a year) so I just prefer to keep an eye on it. I also check it on the dipstick twice a month along with the rest of the vital fluids.

Jeff , V6, 06,6spd, 4x4 beautiful bright red , bone stock.

[TicTacOma]

How about the oil that is absorbed into the filter paper/media? Never seen a paper towel commercial? If you are that "involved" with what your truck is using, weigh the filters before and after. I know my old filters are heavier (even with them drained in the catch can). I'm sure you can find out where that missing 1/4 quart went.

[Janster]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Drained it back into the container, as I take it over to my neighbor who uses old oil to help heat his business.

Jeff ,06, V6, SR5, 4x4, 6spd

That's not necessarily a good way to measure.... Like people have already said, there's oil in the old filter, there's oil left in the pan, and there's oil left in the engine. There's no way you can get all the oil out.

If you change the oil, check the dipstick regularly (cold engine, level surface) regularly through-out your 5,000 miles before the next oil change.... if you notice the oil level dropping on your dipstick, then you'll know you're consuming oil. On my 0ld 96 - the swing from FULL to ADD was 1/2 quart.

[chris4x4]

You may not see any oil change on the dip stick, as oil is burned, the oill absorbs combustion by products, thus the oil level will stay the same. Eccessive oil consumption is a different story. 1/4 of a quart is only 4 oz. Thats not alot, and like Janster said, you can never fully remove all the oil in the engine, pan, filter.

[Jeff]

Thanks for all the replies, for the most part I am just keeping track to see if there is a major change. While I realize that there is some oil left in the filter media and maybe a little in the pan, by and large its out of there.
I am concerned with larger consumption and all this is just my way of looking after the engine.

Jeff 06,V6, SR5, 4x4 bone stock- still.