I've got abut 3,400 miles on my tC, and just checked the oil for the first time. Oil level was just above (between 1/4 & 1/8 inch above) the L on the dipstick, and was a little dirty, but not terrible. I have to leave on a road trip tomorrow night, and don't have time to take my car in for an oil change before I leave - besides, I'll be doing my 5K service soon anyway. My question is, with my oil being at that level, do I need to top off before hitting the road (wll be driving about 800 miles round trip), or should I be good until I get back, and potentially until I hit 5K? If I do need to top off, how much should I put in, just to get me through to the 5K service?

 

I would definitly bring the level up before your trip. How much can a quart of oil cost?

It used almost a quart in 3400 miles? I can see a little dirty due to new engine breaking in and all. Hopefully, it won't keep using oil. At 3400 miles, it should be pretty well broke in and sealing.

Usually, the amount from top line/full to bottom line/low is about a quart. Just put some in and check the level w/dipstick. Repeat as necessary. Do not overfill!

 

Yeah, throw a half a quart in there. It won't hurt. You would probably be fine without adding any, but it's cheap insurance.

 

Most vehicles I have owned, and it has been a lot, will use close to a quart in 5000 miles of driving. I usually check about 2500 miles or so and add about a half quart. Just bring it back to full. If you are changing oil at 3000 miles you almost never even need to look at it between changes. I am not suggesting that, but as you can see if you had changed at 3000 you would never had to consider adding any.

 

I am wondering if it was full to begin with, I change my oil every 5000 and my box has never used any oil yet. and I have almost 30,000 on it. Also, mine has not been "dirty" yet either, you might want to contact the dealer and let them know this happend. I would think that a brand new car would not be using that much oil in that short of time.

 

I'm with dugzillaxb.

My box has not used any oil to date. I have 2500 on the clock now. I did go to Mobil1 @500 miles, so I have not seen dirty yet either. My Land Cruiser (1996) did not use a full quart between oil changes and it had 125k+ miles.

Probably was not full to the max from factory. Sounds very unlike Toyota/Scion, but better than a new motor using a quart every 5K!

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it wasn't full when I got it. My driving conditions are less than ideal though. Live in LA, so I deal with rush hour, start & stop each day, all with steep inclines/declines, excessive heat, etc. We'll see. I'll definitely monitor my oil level more closely after the first service.

 

Yeah, LA.

I drive the I-5 to work from Valencia to downtown, 40 miles each way. Good thing for the great mileage of the box.

 

I posted this same thing on another board, and one of the more respected and knowlegeable members thinks I may have been too easy on the car during the break in period, and the rings didn't seat properly. I pretty much followed the factory recommendations to a T, but didn't feel like I was babying it, so we'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it just wasn't completely filled from the factory.