To the Doctor:
I have a 2010 Pontiac Vibe, and it's using oil. At 3,000 miles, it is down a quart. The Pontiac shop says it's normal. Is that true?

Terry, via email

The Doc Says:
Inside any engine that is consuming oil, something is wrong mechanically. It could be that a seal is missing, loose or cracked. It could be that the piston rings are ill-fitting or worn. Or perhaps the problem is with the oil filter (your Vibe uses a canister oil filter, which can occasionally leak if the cap is not installed correctly). The point is, we wouldn't consider any modern vehicle (especially a newer one like yours) that is consuming a quart of oil every 3,000 miles to be "normal."

If your vehicle isn't leaking oil (a good way to determine this is to place a piece of cardboard under the car at night; if it is still clean the next morning, chances are there are no external leaks), then oil consumption indicates an internal problem, and that oil is finding its way into one or more of your engine's combustion chambers, where it's being burned alongside gasoline and expelled in the exhaust. Unfortunately, internal oil leaks can be extremely difficult (and expensive) to prove to your Pontiac dealer (or any other GM dealer, as they will all perform GM warranty work) that there is a mechanical problem with the vehicle. If the car is not under any type of warranty, you might have to simply monitor the oil consumption and top the motor oil off between oil changes (a service that many auto service facilities like fast lubes will do for free).

The advice described above is for informational purposes only. It cannot and should not be used in lieu of an actual, physical inspection and diagnosis by a trained mechanic or automotive technician. The opinions and advice offered herein are not intended to diagnose automotive problems or component failures; they are simply intended to provide information on what could be transpiring. VehicleMD accepts no liability resulting from actions taken as a result of this advice.