Oil level on dipstick reading low?

HYUNDAIGUY77

MEMBER
2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

I have now encountered this problem after doing an oil change for the second time. After driving 4,000km after my full synthetic oil change my dipstick is reading just beneath the low reading. I topped up the car with just a quart and it brought the reading on the dipstick to just above the low reading (makes sense with the markings). My question is, why am I losing oil and where is it going since I don't see any leaks at the oil drain plug or oil filter or anywhere else. Also, should I top up till the reading says it's full? Thank you for reading.

Saturday, May 13th, 2023 AT 11:47 PM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

I would recommend filling it to the full mark and then checking it every 1K miles to see if the level dropped. If you don't see leakage, it has to be getting burned by the engine. Often, you will see blue smoke from the exhaust, but that isn't always the case.

Keep in mind, you could be losing oil via the turbo as well, so check around there as well.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, May 14th, 2023 AT 9:32 PM