"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:Xns9BF1D508CCB6Etegger@208.90.168.18...
> dmkAlex <dmkfoto@gmail.com> wrote in news:e53e14f9-aabe-43fb-baee-
> d870dea9badb@d14g2000yql.googlegroups.com:
>
>>
>>> Is your Check Engine light on?
>>
>> No. It is not.
>
>
>
> By the reading of your original post, you last had the oil changed
> about
> last October. Your oil-change monkey is now claiming you've lost
> about half
> your oil in seven months. At only 130K miles, and with no reports of
> oil
> stains on the driveway, this assertion is somewhat questionable, to
> say the
> least.
>
> The markings on your dipstick indicate one quart between them. If
> you were
> two quarts low, the oil would be be well off the stick and your
> monkey
> would be guessing as to the "2 qt" thing. Maybe he's judging by what
> drained out, but even that's unlikely since most garages drain into
> a big
> steel drum with wheels, so there's no way of telling from that how
> much
> came out of the engine.
>
> That you're here, now, asking what you're asking, suggests that you
> haven't
> checked your own oil during those seven months. Sorry, but that's
> not good.
>
> My recommendation, to be taken before panicking or doing anything
> else:
> Check your oil level now, and record the reading on the stick. Wipe,
> dip,
> read, several times, making sure to seat the stick fully each time
> and wait
> a few seconds before pulling the stick again.
>
> Drive for one month ONLY, then repeat the oil level check. Do this
> every
> month. If over the next six months there is in fact a pattern of oil
> level
> drop, then you have cause for concern.
>
> Tip: Make sure the engine has been OFF for at LEAST an hour before
> taking
> your reading each time!
>
> I suspect you will be unable to duplicate your monkey's report, and
> your
> oil level will be just fine each month. It will drop over time, but
> maybe
> 1/8" down from its original reading after 3K miles, and not 2
> quarts.
>
> Oh, by the way, with your drive pattern, you should be changing your
> oil
> every six months at the outside. Your car sits idle for long
> periods, which
> is very bad for both oil and engine.
>

One should also check the dipstick before driving away from the
"monkey". Many of these places are notorious for shorting everyone by
a half a quart.

>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/