Burn 1/2 quart of oil every oil change normal?

[duketter]

I change my oil in my 2001 5.3L Tahoe 4X4 every 3000 miles. I have 71000 miles on my Tahoe. Everytime I change it I am a 1/2 quart low. Is it normal to burn a 1/2 quart of oil every 3000 miles?

 

[bahollis]

My 94 Chevy had a Vortec V6 that burned a quart every 3000 miles. It ran like a champ.

BH

 

[bzbatl]

I'm coming from the motorcycle world, where it's normal for the engine to vent oil a bit... but perhaps it's just slowly leaking from somewhere.

I seem to be about 1/4 quart low when I do changes. I do mine between 5000 and 7000 intervals.

 

[02Tahoez]

I have a 02' Tahoe Z with 80000 miles and it uses about a half a quart of oil between oil changes.

 

[boostaholic]

You may have some blow by that is burning a little oil, check your exhaust during a cold start to see if you blow out any blue smoke. The 5.3 is a pretty tight motor so it shouldn't be burning much oil (if any). The 8.1 vortecs burn 1qt or more between changes so I wouln't be too worried about 1/2qt, just try to check your motor once you're under there next time for any leaks for the main seals.