1997 Ford Explorer oil burn

JUSTINF89

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
94,600 MILES

In my ford service manual, it states that it is normal for the engine to burn about a quart of oil every 900 miles. This seems a bit excessive to me but I've never owned a ford and haven't had this one long enough to see this. Is this just in the specs where thats the max it can burn before it becomes a problem or is normal for a good running engine to burn a quart so often like this? Thanks.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

That is a good question. Some cars will never use a drop of oil between oil changes and others a quart every 1K or so seems normal. If you are using that much, don't be to concerned. Presently, I use a qt every 500 miles, but on an engine with 220K, it's acceptable.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Joe

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Thursday, April 8th, 2010 AT 11:19 AM

JUSTINF89

MEMBER
22 POSTS

It burns about a quart every 1500 miles, but only having 94k miles, I thought it was a bit on the high side; I guess not. I heard that high mileage oil helps with this a little bit but I guess if this is normal, it may not. Thanks for the info.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 9th, 2010 AT 5:54 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

That is actually really good. I know Chrysler considers a quart every 1K as normal when the car is new.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 9th, 2010 AT 7:23 PM