Well, my 2002 Saturn SL is in the shop *again*. This time I caught it draining oil before it blew the engine for the fourth time. After our trip to Cincinnati I was paying close attention to the oil levels. With only 2700 out of 3000 miles since the last oil change we were already down half-way on the dipstick. They claimed last time that the rod bearings were showing signs of oil starvation after 9500 miles and had to replace the engine. Luckily I am covered for now. So hopefully this will catch it before any serious damage is done again. Saturn, you can thank me later.
After getting the rental car (a Saturn Ion, bleh) and picking up Kim we headed to the Dollar Store to get some crap for a temporary geocache to hide at the campground for the Lester Park Bash this weekend in Duluth. We had dinner and came home to pack the car and get stuff ready for the trip. I noticed that I was missing my GPS, my camera, several items for the dog, etc. They were in the car at Saturn. I went back, picked up my stuff (minus the camera which I forgot), and returned home.
On our way back we caught a glimpse of a Lotus Elise. Kim thinks they look like a grasshopper (I really think she means a Preying Mantis, but whatever). They are quite fast. Supposedly going 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. For how big they are I’m really not all that impressed. They are rather ugly as well.
See all the pictures from today here.
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March 26th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Don’t you check your oil once every week or two? I check mine after every fill up. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your car. I think it’s you. Check your oil once a week and add if necessary. And remember, if the oil is down 1/2 way on the dipstick, that means the engine is 1/2 quart low. And a 1/2 quart low after 2700 miles ain’t bad!
March 26th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Mr J.,
It’s moot. We sold the POS and have a new car that operates as expected. They handle all the oil changes as part of the ownership and only ask that you bring it in every 3750.
March 26th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
A half a quart low after 2700 miles may not be the end of the world but I don’t believe it’s the norm.
In all of my vehicles (which I don’t check weekly but do check once or twice between oil changes), it’s very rare that the level drops below where it was when I changed the oil. This is true with a 4-cylinder vehicle that has 180k miles on it. If I were burning a half quart on a regular basis then I think it would be time to start looking at a different vehicle.