Joanna Szabo  |  July 2, 2020

Category: Auto News

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Engine oil consumption may be due to a defect.

According to consumer complaints, some auto companies including General Motors may be manufacturing and selling vehicles with a defect that causes them to consume excessive amounts of engine oil.

What Is Engine Oil Consumption?

In order for vehicles to run smoothly, they use engine oil and other motor oils. This oil helps to lubricate the internal mechanics of the vehicle, allowing these parts to slide smoothly rather than grinding against each other and wearing down the pieces. This oil also helps to remove sludge and dirt from the engine and keep it clean.

The oil levels in a vehicle need to be tested occasionally and replenished or changed. According to AAA, most vehicles require an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, defects in some vehicles may cause them to go through oil at a rate higher than normal.

This may lead to excessively high oil costs for the owners of these vehicles, as well as a need for frequent maintenance. Burning through oil rapidly may also lead to dangerous side effects for the vehicle, including fouled spark plugs, damage to the engine, and eventual engine failure.

How Much Engine Oil Consumption is Normal?

There is not much of a consensus on how much oil it is normal for a vehicle to go through. Different vehicle manufacturers recommend different frequencies for oil changes. While BMW cars may burn as much as a quart of oil for a thousand miles, according to General Motors, normal engine oil consumption is approximately one quart for oil for every 2,000 miles driven.

For vehicles with less than 50,000 miles on the odometer, it is not normal to go through more than a quart in between oil changes. However, as the mileage on the vehicle increases, the likelihood of burning excessive oil also increases.

Burning through oil rapidly and requiring frequent oil changes may be a sign of a defect or leak in your engine if your car has low mileage. If you are concerned that your car may be burning through oil at a more frequent rate than is normal, you may be able to check your dealership’s recommendation for the amount of oil your car should be going through.

Engine oil consumption may be due to a defect.High Engine Oil Consumption Causes

Reasons that your car may be burning through oil quickly include damage to internal parts, leaks, or defects. According to some consumers who own vehicles manufactured by General Motors between 2011 and 2014, a defect may be causing these vehicles to go through excessive amounts of oil, leading to premature engine damage and failure.

After Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act in Dec. 2007, which included a stated goal to increase fuel economy standards by 40 percent by 2020, GM introduced a redesigned engine, the Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 LC9, in certain 2007–2009 vehicles.

After a brief bankruptcy filing in 2009, GM continued to sell vehicles with these Generation IV Vortec 5300 engines in model year 2010 through 2014 vehicles. Unfortunately, a growing number of consumers are coming forward with complaints that these particular engines are defective, leading to excessive oil consumption. This allegedly results in oil consumption far greater than industry standards allow in 2020, as well as further damage to internal engine components.

According to the complaints regarding GM vehicles, the alleged defect may be caused by the piston rings installed within the vehicles’ engines. These piston rings may be easily susceptible to wear and tear, resulting in oil leakage.

Additionally, an oil pressure valve that sprays oil directly onto these pistons may overload, spraying too much oil which then leaks out past the pistons. This defect may cause the vehicles to go through oil very quickly and require frequent maintenance.

The vehicles affected by the alleged GM defect include the Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL. The affected models of the vehicles were produced between 2011 and 2014.

GM reportedly issued Technical Service Bulletins to dealers to address issues with excessive oil consumption in these engines and has instructed dealers to introduce stopgap measures to fix the engines’ systems. However, consumers say that these measures do not adequately fix the problem at hand.

How to Reduce Engine Oil Consumption

There are several ways to potentially reduce your engine oil consumption. If the cause of the high engine oil consumption is a leak around the piston rings, you may be able to have your piston rings replaced in order to prevent future leaks. Replacing the valve seals may also help to fix oil leaks. New valve seals may prevent oil from leaking out of the engine and into the rest of the vehicle’s mechanics.

If the cause of the oil leak is due to a defect with your vehicle, you may qualify for compensation or reimbursement for costs associated with this defect. Speaking with a qualified attorney may be the first step towards determining your legal rights.

When Should You File an Engine Oil Consumption Lawsuit?

Several class action lawsuits have so far been filed over alleged defects with GM’s Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 engines.

If you believe that your vehicle is affected by the GM oil consumption defect, you may be able to reach out to your dealership about your options. However, if they are unable or unwilling to fix the defect, you may be able to join or file a class action lawsuit. Several other lawsuits have been filed against GM for oil consumption defects, and plaintiffs who pursue litigation may be able to recover reimbursement for the costs of the defects, as well as additional compensation.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free GM Engine Oil Consumption Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

You may have a legal claim if you purchased a new or used model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, or GMC Yukon XL with an LC9 engine.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.

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5 thoughts onHow to Reduce Engine Oil Consumption

  1. Kim Erikson says:

    Oh have a Kia options 2016 and it is consuming oil. I am following Kia protocol where you bring the car into the dealer for 3 separate times and they check the oil level. The guidelines are 1,000 miles, but my car will not make it to the 1,000 mile mark before the oil becomes dangerously low.

  2. Michael says:

    Any lawsuits against Hyundai for oil consumption I just had to replace 5 quarts in my 2013 Santa Fe Sport was very lucky was Far From home.

    1. Mars says:

      I am having the same issue. The dealership failed to make me aware this is something they were seeing with some of the same year, make, and model as my vehicle. Now I am over the extended warranty and they seem not to be very responsive. They have me on an oil consumption test. I have to bring my car in every 1000 miles for up to three times. The last time couple of times I have brought it in, no oil is found on the dipstick. This is wrong of Hyundai. This seems to be a defective engine. They should be informing folks and fixing the problem.

  3. JARED WILCOXEN says:

    I have a 1999 Silverado with the 5.3 Vortec and less than 200,000 miles and I go through quart of oil every 1500 miles or so

  4. Sam Cain says:

    Of course I have a 2011 Chevy avalanche.

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