07 using oil. What to do?

they all do, change your PVC valve sometimes it helps..don't let it get low, by the time the light comes on the damage is done...read posts on burning oil

 

It is much easier to add a quart of oil periodically - than to replace the valve stem seals or replace the piston rings...

The rated capacity is 3.9 US quarts but the actual amount seems to be more like 3.7 quarts depending upon how thoroughly the old oil is drained.

Hold the dipstick so that you can see light reflecting off the surface, that might help you to determine where the oil film is.

 

Also... check the oil first thing in the morning. Then you get a easily read, repeatable reading.

 

My car at 150k and 2007, it is using oil as well. I can fill it up to the top dot of the dipstick and 5 months later will get to the bottom dipstick. I changed my PCV valve couple weeks ago so we'll see if that helped, but I typically accept that the engine is getting old. I use about 3.75 quarts but I don't fill up the filter canister. I'm pretty sure it'll be a different result if I do.

 

Why is it that many people seem to believe that they never need or want to periodically check fluid levels in their vehicles (except for gas and windshield washer fluid)? I have little sympathy when they say that the oil dipstick and/or the coolant overflow container is/are bone dry in their cars. Lazy or ignorant (or both)?

Oil consumption of no more than 1 quart per 2000 miles is perfectly acceptable for cars with over 150K miles. I add oil in my Prius every 1000 miles (less right after an oil change and more as I get close to changing it again) between 5000 mile oil change intervals. It has been using about the same amount of oil (~2500 miles/quart) for the past 100K miles. I use Pennzoil Pure Platinum 5W30 synthetic also. 247K miles in 11 years.

So 7711, absolutely do not disassemble the engine just because your car is using roughly 1.5 qts per 5000 miles - that's not bad at all.