Is this normal?

[gmupatriot]

My car is a few miles shy of 25000 and as you can see from the pictures, the car is consuming oil. I switched from PUP 5W20 to PUP 5W30 at 23,300 miles and once I filled up the car with 10qts the oil level was at the middle of the hashed area. After approximately 1600 miles the oil shows at the bottom of the hashed area. I am guessing thats about half quart? Is this normal? Also, the coolant is down as well. I have not had a car go down on coolant unless there was a leak. Being this car was bought brand new and is not abused I am concerned something is wrong. Can you wise folks shed some light on this? Am i just stressed for no reason and should top off the oil and coolant and just drive? Thanks

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[ugstang17]

In general regarding the coolant, the water content will dissipate over time. I am assuming because you have never stated that it has not been topped off since the car was purchased new. Water dissipates faster than Glycol in the 50/50 mix. The cap will allow pressure to release above the rated pressure reading on the cap. With newer cars running at much hotter temps to support better emissions (210-220 vice 180-190 old school) obviously the coolant is above the boiling point of 212 under normal driving conditions. So I would not be at all concerned over that small amount of drop in coolant level over a 25000 mile stretch under the newer operating temps. The best thing to do would be to check the concentration of the overflow tank with a coolant gauge. Some provide you the FP as well as the %vol coolant to water. if the concentration is high you will want to add distilled water to the bottle to maintain the 50% mixture rate. With time it will recirculate and correct the mix in the radiator.

Coolant (Glycol, Dowtherm, or whatever form of antifreeze being used) only lowers the freezing point of the water in the radiator with regard to heat removal. It is actually an insulator and in 100% form will remove very little heat. The water is the heat removal source. Of course the additives in the mix also help with anti corrosion.

If the car were consuming it through the exhaust due to a head gasket leak you will most likely smell it coming out the exhaust pipe. If there were a leak you would smell it after the car shut off when you lifted the hood. You will smell some when the overflow vents to atmosphere under pressure. Again all of this is assuming you have only used this much fluid in the 25000 you have owned the car. If you are already aware of this my apology for rambling on. Many people don't realize this.

As for your oil issue I am not savvy to the 2018+ Coyote and its specific traits. an't help you there.

 

[Jetnoise]

For the coolant....depends on what you are comparing it to. Engine hot at both readings? Cold on one hot on the other reading? It will vary on temp. Change of season can play a role as well
I'd gues your photo was when it was a cold engine
Oil dipstick reading (I can't tell by photos or know what the amount of oil that is needed to move up or down the hash marks). A reading from hot to cold can play a part in variances as well. As long as it is in the hash marks area don't worry about it but like you have been doing check it .on fill ups is a good gauge. If there is an issue with consumption you'll catch it before gets to low. Always check it hot or always check it cold. Be consistent with both your fluid concerns.

 

[GT Pony]

Oil dipstick reading (I can't tell by photos or know what the amount of oil that is needed to move up or down the hash marks).

It takes 1 quart to make the level go from the bottom of the hashed area to the top of the hashed area when the oil is cold. "Full" when cold is the top of the hashed area. "Full" when hot is the top hole.

I find checking the oil level cold is easier and gives more consistant readings.

 

[gixxersixxerman]

After 5K miles mine is about a qrt low, my coolant bottle looks the same as yours. I am a few miles from 6k over all. I’d fill both and drive it ;)

 

[usgiorgi]

My 2016 was doing this and I read either on here or somewhere else that it was normal. I'd get a jug of the correct coolant and just keep monitoring it. Make sure the coolant cap doesn't have any tears in the seal too.

However, the reservoir lines should be read when it's cold, not hot. I'm assuming yours would be just barely over the min mark when toasty hot right?

 

[Zinc03svt]

Mine is 6400 and is not burning anything besides fuel.

 

[Jetnoise]

yours would be just barely over the min mark when toasty hot right?

I believe it’s just the opposite
Coolant expands when hot

 

[ugstang17]

I believe it’s just the opposite
Coolant expands when hot

As does water.

 

[gmupatriot]

For the coolant....depends on what you are comparing it to. Engine hot at both readings? Cold on one hot on the other reading? It will vary on temp. Change of season can play a role as well
I'd gues your photo was when it was a cold engine
Oil dipstick reading (I can't tell by photos or know what the amount of oil that is needed to move up or down the hash marks). A reading from hot to cold can play a part in variances as well. As long as it is in the hash marks area don't worry about it but like you have been doing check it .on fill ups is a good gauge. If there is an issue with consumption you'll catch it before gets to low. Always check it hot or always check it cold. Be consistent with both your fluid concerns.

The car was cold when I checked the oil and coolant (sitting in the same spot for 2 days). Thanks for your input!

 

[gmupatriot]

My 2016 was doing this and I read either on here or somewhere else that it was normal. I'd get a jug of the correct coolant and just keep monitoring it. Make sure the coolant cap doesn't have any tears in the seal too.

However, the reservoir lines should be read when it's cold, not hot. I'm assuming yours would be just barely over the min mark when toasty hot right?

I have not checked the coolant after a nice long drive, this was done after the car was sitting on level ground for about two days. Thanks for your input. I will top it off and see how much the coolant goes down if at all.

 

[usgiorgi]

I believe it’s just the opposite
Coolant expands when hot

That's what I said. Right now, it's quite a bit under the min mark. When it's hot, it's probably barely over the min mark line because the coolant expanded.

 

[gmupatriot]

Mine is 6400 and is not burning anything besides fuel.

That's good to hear. Mine has consumed oil since new and it is about a quart between oil changes (approx 6500 miles between oil change interval). I thought the car is new so I did not pay much attention but after 25K miles, I was hoping for the consumption to go down. I figured I will make a post here and check with you folks and see if this is acceptable. I will keep an eye out for oil consumption for this OCI and see how much oil I have to add between the change.

 

[gmupatriot]

In general regarding the coolant, the water content will dissipate over time. I am assuming because you have never stated that it has not been topped off since the car was purchased new. Water dissipates faster than Glycol in the 50/50 mix. The cap will allow pressure to release above the rated pressure reading on the cap. With newer cars running at much hotter temps to support better emissions (210-220 vice 180-190 old school) obviously the coolant is above the boiling point of 212 under normal driving conditions. So I would not be at all concerned over that small amount of drop in coolant level over a 25000 mile stretch under the newer operating temps. The best thing to do would be to check the concentration of the overflow tank with a coolant gauge. Some provide you the FP as well as the %vol coolant to water. if the concentration is high you will want to add distilled water to the bottle to maintain the 50% mixture rate. With time it will recirculate and correct the mix in the radiator.

Coolant (Glycol, Dowtherm, or whatever form of antifreeze being used) only lowers the freezing point of the water in the radiator with regard to heat removal. It is actually an insulator and in 100% form will remove very little heat. The water is the heat removal source. Of course the additives in the mix also help with anti corrosion.

If the car were consuming it through the exhaust due to a head gasket leak you will most likely smell it coming out the exhaust pipe. If there were a leak you would smell it after the car shut off when you lifted the hood. You will smell some when the overflow vents to atmosphere under pressure. Again all of this is assuming you have only used this much fluid in the 25000 you have owned the car. If you are already aware of this my apology for rambling on. Many people don't realize this.

As for your oil issue I am not savvy to the 2018+ Coyote and its specific traits. an't help you there.

Thank you!

 

[Zinc03svt]

That's good to hear. Mine has consumed oil since new and it is about a quart between oil changes (approx 6500 miles between oil change interval). I thought the car is new so I did not pay much attention but after 25K miles, I was hoping for the consumption to go down. I figured I will make a post here and check with you folks and see if this is acceptable. I will keep an eye out for oil consumption for this OCI and see how much oil I have to add between the change.

I would not sweat a quart every 6500 miles. That is like 1/6 quart every 1000. You are racking up some miles on that car. What is your daily commute?

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