missing oil?

[mrgrn]

I changed my oil a few hundred miles ago. I have about 22,000 miles on the odometer. Soon after i checked the oil level and noticed i was about half a quart low so i added some. I just checked again weeks later and for some reason it looks as though i am a half to one quart low again????? I looked around the filer and checked the drail plug, nothing?????? i added a quarter of a quart and drove around the block, let it sit and just checked again, did not move the oil level, why???? i used 5w30 penzoil and a fram filer and whatever the book says for quarts? any idea if GT's use oil?? i am not overly worried other than a car with 22,000 should not need a quart between changes IMO.any advise here???thanks

[JohnC]

Is there oil in your air cleaner? Does the exhaust smoke when you first start it up or while revving the engine? Is the inside of the tail pipe black and sooty? These would be indications of blow by, either rings or valves.If there are no leaks visible on the outside of your engine, check your coolant for an oily residue.BTW my base uses 4 qts for oil change with filter.

[mrgrn]

Thanks john.i have a injen CIA so not sure about the cleanerthe tip has always been rather sooty IMO, what causes the blow by?doubt i lost a head gasket, but i will check the coolant.i do not see blue smoke, but i guess it could be slowly losing some here and there, but i hardly drive the car. I have had it two and a half years and have 22,ooo miles this is the first oil change i have done and i never checked before when the stealership did it so i guess it could have always been there.maybe i under estimate how much i am adding and thought it should raise the level more? maybe that thin oil blows by somehow?my new motorcycle blows oil at 6oo miles i can see it when getting on it hard. people say you broke it in wrong, like i should have to do that perfect. i just take it easy and don't lug it for the first few hundred, that is all i should have to do IMO, they are saying i cooked my rings. How can they be that fragile where regular riding causes them to self destruct?anyway thanks John

[ToolGuy]

When you do drive it, do you drive it like you stole it?As long as the oil is between the dots I believe on the Vibe the stick has dots, you are OK. Lots of stick have a cross hatch area and if the oil is in between the top and bottom cross hatch, it is fine. Other then checking for leaks, keep an eye on it.