No oil on dipstick

JMNCRR000

MEMBER
2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE
3.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

Had the oil changed at 115,500. I usually get it changed at every 5,000 miles, so I took it in a little early. The manual says every six months or 7,500 miles, and I had driven 4500 in about seven and half months, so I figured I would change it at a shop. I checked the oil level four weeks prior to this oil change and it was fine. When I took it in the mechanic said there was no oil on the dipstick, and it needed two and half quarts to get to safe level, and I believe it holds five to five and half quarts. The mechanic told me to drive it five hundred miles and bring it back for an oil change. I am just wanting some opinions on this advice to drive it five hundred miles. Did it do any damage driving it with no oil on the dipstick? The oil pressure light never came on, and it drove just fine. Their are no apparent leaks, and no signs of burning oil. I am just wanting some opinions about this. Thanks for any feedback.

Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 8:28 AM

3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

My bet is that it is burning the oil. You do not see it because the converter is burning it off.
Not an uncommon thing. Most of the manufacturers now claim the burning half to one quart in 1,000 miles is "normal" To me that is excessive but they set the rules.

It should not have done damage but it is not a good thing. I would start watching the oil level real close, a sudden increase in oil use could be a broken ring or carbon blocked oil rings.
A leak down test would show you some information.

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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 10:24 AM

KTECH

MECHANIC
57 POSTS

I believe the reason your Mazda is now burning so much oil is poor coolant quality. Start by checking the coolant fluid level. (Antifreeze coolant) needs to be replaced in all vehicles about every five to seven years. Your engine is running at a hotter temperature and the oil is burning off. Have your engine flushed and the car will run cooler.

I would also recommend keeping a close eye on your oil consumption from now on. Low oil can cause extensive damage to your engine. Have the antifreeze coolant replaced and continue to check the oil level frequently topping off when needed.

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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 9:38 PM

PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO

MECHANIC
1,853 POSTS

If the oil was that low after just checking it then someone is not looking well enough either for the leak or if it is burning it. Run your finger in the inside of the tailpipe and then look and smell your finger for oil. If it is there, it is burning it, but that does not also mean there is not a leak. Check all around, up and down, side to side of that engine for a leak.
Running the oil that low can be dangerous bit if the oil light never came on then you may have gotten lucky and not damaged anything.
I would not run it for five hundred miles then bring it back to them. Check the oil level constantly, at first every day, then afterward at least every other day and as soon as you lose one pint, take it back.

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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 7:16 AM