Added 4 qts. of oil! Where's it going?

[Paydirtdog]

The X5 has 127K miles on it now, but it never used a lot of oil. Maybe a quart or two between changes. It has done that since mile one. I've never been concerned about it and didn't check it that often but I'll keep a closer eye on it now. It doesn't smoke or drip so I'm supprised to see it 4 qts. low so soon after an oil change. It must have not gotten the full 7 qts. at the change. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Paydirtdog

...It must have not gotten the full 7 qts. at the change. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

Must have been; your 3.0 holds 7.9 qts per the manual...I've always
poured 8, with filter change.
GL,mD

[msammy]

Originally Posted by Paydirtdog

I just checked the dipstick on my 2001 3.0 X5 and it was dry. I started adding oil and it took 3 qts before any showed up on the dipstick. I added one more and that brought it about half way between the add and full marks. The engine doesn't leak any oil and I haven't seen any smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The oil was changed less than 5k miles ago and I still have 3 green bars on the dash indicator. I'm wondering if the guy that changed the oil didn't put enough in when he changed it. Even if he put in 5 quarts it shouldn't take 4 more to fill it. I can understand maybe three if he only put in five and maybe it used a quart since then, but 4 quarts seems a little much. Any thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by motordavid

Must have been; your 3.0 holds 7.9 qts per the manual...I've always
poured 8, with filter change.
GL,mD

Where did you get the oil changed? If it was at a Jiffy lube or somewhere like that, he probably put in 5 quarts, you drove 5K miles and used one (which is common). Since the truck takes nearly 8 quarts to fill, then 5 in, minus 1 used = 4, then plus 4 to top off to full!

[m5james]

Originally Posted by msammy

Where did you get the oil changed? If it was at a Jiffy lube or somewhere like that, he probably put in 5 quarts, you drove 5K miles and used one (which is common). Since the truck takes nearly 8 quarts to fill, then 5 in, minus 1 used = 4, then plus 4 to top off to full!

I take my work truck to Jiffy Lube, and they tell me beforehand the weight suggestion and if it'll take more than the standard 4 qts. in the $9.99 price so they can make sure to charge me more.