just recently began using oil

[22lyons]

03 Vibe with 180,000. I have the oil changed every 5,000 miles. I was at a stop light and the car died. I restarted and the oil light came on. I checked and found the oil was two quarts low. Since the past oil change I see it going down just the same. I don't see it leaking any. Could the engine be going? Could the oil be leaking without seeing it on the ground? Thinking I will go to oil changes every 3,000 now but tough since I drive 150 miles a day back and forth to work. How much oil should I expect the car to use with age and mileage? thanks for your thoughts about next steps...

[Derf]

Without drips or visible oil, it may be coming through the lifter assembly. Quick check is to see if you get smoke (not condensation) out of the exhaust after just starting the car. On very rare occasions if the oil filter becomes restrictive it can cause the engine to burn oil. If you replaced the oil filter with your recent oil change, would rule that out.

[trb]

I'd say you've been spoiled with the trouble free nature of your car! My Mustang always used at least a quart between 3,000 mile oil changes. It was like clockwork, every 1,400 - 1,500 miles I added a quart, and I changed the oil on the second time the Check Oil light came on. One good thing about it was the Check Oil light came on when it was exactly 1 quart low, so it never had less than 4 quarts.

I would just make it a habit of checking the oil more often. The manufacturers recommend you check the oil every time you fill up, but I think that is a bit much. At least with that interval, it is not as easy to forget it for weeks on end and wind up being 2 quarts low because you get in the habit of popping the gas lid and the hood at the same time. Two quarts down is really too low to let it get to.

Good luck on it!

[Nasmfell]

At least you got 180,000 miles on it. Time to look for something else. As trb stated 2 quarts is still low. Some engine part(s) have been "starved" for lubrication, since there is so little oil. It will eventually get worse, unfortunately.

[22lyons]

thanks...for the replies. I don't see any smoke coming out upon start up. I obviously will be watching the oil level very carefully in the coming months. I also was wondering if the unusually ultra cold temps here would aid in using more oil?

[Salsa Guy]

I'd say no. Check you exhaust pipe make sure there's nothing black and sticky. That could be a sign of oil coming out the exhaust which could point to an engine issue. Also pull the spark plugs and check them. They should be a little greyish.