Oil Level Concerns...

[reecy857]

Hi, I'm having trouble knowing whether to add oil or not to my 08 rogue. Every vehicle I've owned, I would check the oil when the engine was stone cold and add oil accordingly. It says in the owner's manual on "how to check the oil" to run the vehicle to operating temperature and then shut it off. Wait 10 minutes and then check the oil and it should be between the two cutouts. When I do this the oil is perfect. If I recheck the oil 4-5 hours later it drops half a quart (or half way between the cutouts)?? My car isn't burning anything out of the tailpipe, and I jacked my car up the other day and it's not leaking a drop of oil anywhere. I removed the PCV valve and it is clean and working as it should. It has 120,000 mi on it, and I'm not sure if I should be concerned. Probably not, but I don't understand what is going on. I thought that if anything the oil level would rise the longer it sits due to it draining back into the pan? I bought the vehicle brand new and I changed the oil with a new filter every 3,000 miles. I only drove 500 miles since the last oil change so the next one coming up, I am going to measure how much oil I drain out to give me more information. Has anyone else had this issue or noticed this checking the oil on their rogues? Any advice or information would be really appreciated!

[ImStricken06]

hot oil expands.
cold oil contracts.
-dont forget that key point. everything is like that. metal too. its why all bridges are on wheels.

your rogue IS burning oil, a little through. in fact all engines do. keep an eye on it.
if you are doubting me, try this: do your own oil change, and pour the old oil back into the 5.2qt jug and see if its back to being 100% full.

[TrevorK]

I would check your oil in the manner suggested by the factory manual - it is not about being right or wrong, but it is about being consistent with your method of checking and that method matching what the manufacturer expects you to do because they have calibrated (I can't think of a better word) the hash marks on the dip stick for the engine being hot or cold. If your oil, when hot, it always at the "low" hash mark, and never budges, then it would be reasonable to suggest you are not losing any significant amount of oil. Why? Because the hashmarks are just a reference, nothing more.

Really, when checking your oil it is about seeing if the fluid level is changing, the hash marks just provide a visual way to do this.

I personally would not waste my time with measuring the oil. Instead, focus on getting the oil changed and getting an accurate measurement of where it is on the dip stick as a starting point. Then, follow the same method of checking your oil every 500 miles and you will find out whether you are losing any significant amount of oil.

[reecy857]

Thank you for the comments! You're right and it makes a lot of sense what you said... I should just keep checking the oil the same way every time suggested by the manual and if it stays the same then why worry. I never thought about the simple fact the engineers have "calibrated" the hash marks for the motor being hot or cold... Just do what they tell me and I should be fine. Thanks again, you put my mind at rest