No oil consumption in 11,000 Miles -- Normal?

I have been enjoying my daily drive in my base Cayman (tip) for 14 months now and something just occurred to me this morning. I check my oil periodically and, even after 11,000 miles, the computer always shows that my oil level is good. Same as when I first got the car last year. Is it possible that my computer is not showing the correct oil level? I find it hard to believe the car has not consumed any oil. Anyhow, I haven't been to the dealer since I got the car because it has been perfect. Maybe I should take the car in now and don't wait for the 2 year/20,000 mi service? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I've used about 1/3 quart in 7k miles. So it's totally possible you could be just fine. It won't hurt to have the dealer take a look.....and shouldn't cost anything, so if it bothers you, take it in for piece of mind.

Its not a problem. You hear stories from many saying they need to top up frequently, while others only now and then. Myself, never had to but i have had about 4 oil changes in 2 years mind. Pop

Patb----Many on this site report never having to add oil, myself included. What you might see eventually is daily variation between the oil readout showing one bar down and full. This also not to worry about. Anyway there is nothing for the dealer to check. What do you look for when something does not do what it wasn't supposed to do in the first place?

I agree - there's nothing really for the dealer to check. If you're taking the car in for something else, it might be something you want to mention if it will ease your mind, but the non-consumption of oil is always a good thing. The only thing that I could imagine might be wrong is that the oil level sending unit might be faulty, but I really doubt it, since we seem to have plenty of anecdotal evidence that these motors don't consume a lot of oil. brad

My dealer here in Silicon Valley is Stevens Creek Porsche. I stopped by Monday for another reason and asked the shop manager about oil changes. They recommend only Mobil 1 0W-40 and his recommendation is to change it every 7000-7500 miles as the viscosity will begin to degrade after that.... That's why (he said) the 2008 Cayman has service intervals at 12K and not 20K mi les, like my 07. Pat B, I suggest you change your oil now, just to be safe...

I had the first oil change at 5K in my 07 CS just to get the factory oil out of the engine after break in. Plan to go every 7500 from here on. For some reason after the change, using 8 quarts of my own Mobil 1 & a dealer filter, the gauge sat on the lowest bar for a couple of days. It then came up to the center bar & I added a 1/4 quart.

That sounds strange. After my DIY oil change with slightly over 8 qts, it read one bar down from the top, right off the bat.

8000 miles and oil level will vary from the top bar to down one then back up. This has been the case since the day I bought it.

I thought it may be worth mentioning that it is possible to have what appears to be normal oil consumption and oil levels while having worn engine components, although I doubt this affects anyone on this forum, hopefully. This occurs on engines which have excessively worn piston rings due to a number of causes including glazing (poor seating)from improper break in, allowing particles of grit into the intake (no air filter, or poor quality/ maintenance) and other causes like normal high mileage wear. The worn rings allow a significantly higher amount of fuel "blow by" past the pistons during the compression stroke allowing raw fuel to mix into the oil. While oil consumption can be observed as normal, in reality oil is burning at a higher than normal rate but the oil volume is also increased by the dilution from the unburned fuel and compensates the volume. This condition reduces the viscosity of the oil and creates a potentially dangerous explosive condition in the crankcase, smelling the oil for a strong gas smell can be an indication. As mentioned, I doubt this would affect anyone here but I always thought it was a good bit of information to know...

Take it on the Track, drive some High G Bends, watch the White clouds on the next start up and you will see the oil level go down.............

Actually I tried that and it did not work. I spent 3 days last weekend at the track just a my engine reached it's magic break in point of 3000 Kilometers. When I arrived at the track, oil was up to overfill point and try as I might for three days, it did not drop one bit, so I was worried that the gauge was incorrect. So last night I put the car up on 4 jack stands (needed to put the 17" street wheels and brake pads back on anyway). I chaged the oil with the car nice and level and then I put in 7 quarts at first. Oil indicator showed 2 bars down so it is working. I guess I learned two things: one, I don't need to rush to put oil in the car the first or second time I see one bar down; two, my car apparently doesn't burn very much oil, even with track driving. I kept looking for that puff of smoke which I read about but never saw any. I did always cool down my car nicely before shutting down each time so that may be why, or my engine is just really tight.

Sorry for the late response. I called a premium dealer in the area, Carlsen Porsche, and was told not to worry and I don't need my first service either. They said 2 years or 20,000 miles as in the manual. I also called the dealer I bought the car from and was told the same thing. I guess they don't want my money for the first service I still regularly check my oil and even got a full, all bars reading, at one time. I will keep an eye on it but everything seems to work. The car works perfectly (except for the crummy "Porsche" CD player, but I don't use it that much) so I will do it a favor and not let the dealer touch it until I get to 20,000 miles. I love this car and will buy another Porsche again just based on the experience so far. Thanks for all the response.

I'm going to go on the record that 20,000 miles is too long between oil changes, regardless of what Porsche says. It is also my understanding that they have reduced the mileage interval for 2008. In any event, you can go to the mobileoil.com where Mobile 1 Extended Service oil, has: "[g]uaranteed performance and protection for up to 15,000 miles". And "up to" is they key here. Also note that: Mobil 1 Extended Performance Mobil 1 Extended Performance contains an extra performance additive to help deliver exceptional performance and protection. This fully synthetic technology is designed specifically for longer service intervals. Appropriate viscosities of Mobil 1 Extended Performance also meet all the requirements for GF-4. Additionally, they exceed the requirements of API SL/CF and various ACEA (European) specifications. (Updated March 2006) What is the difference between Mobil 1® Extended Performance and Mobil 1? Mobil 1 Extended Performance formulas are designed specifically for today's longer service intervals and are guaranteed to protect for up to 15,000 miles or one year. "Mobil 1 Extended Performance has a unique formulation with a boosted level of protection and performance. Mobil 1 Extended Performance, with the Advanced SuperSyn System, contains 50 percent more SuperSyn than Mobil 1. (Updated March 2006) If Mobil 1 Extended Performance is recommended for 15,000-mile intervals, what’s the maximum limit to which it can be pushed? In other words, if a driver goes an extra 1,000 miles or so, is he going to damage his engine? Mobil 1 Extended Performance is recommended for up to 15,000-mile or one-year oil change intervals. However, if your vehicle manufacturer recommends an oil change interval beyond 15,000 miles and Mobil 1 meets the performance level specified, you can be assured that Mobil 1 will go the distance. " Technically, you can wait till 20,000 miles: "Mobil 1 Motor Oil Limited Warranty This is a limited warranty covering the Mobil 1 motor lubricant you purchased. ExxonMobil warrants its lubricants to be free from defects and will replace any Mobil lubricant that is defective. For all vehicles follow the recommended oil change interval in your owner's manual. ExxonMobil warrants that the Mobil 1 lubricant you purchased will protect your vehicle’s critical engine parts from oil related failure. If not, provided the engine was serviceable at the time the oil was installed, Exxon Mobil will have your vehicle repaired and replace the oil at no cost to you. " I'm sure that Porsche has faith in their engines and the oil's ability to hold up - but for just how many 20,000 mile intervals? Beings how the extended service oil is superior to the plain Mobile 1 that we use, 20,000 seems a little like a **** shoot.

My 2.7 Cayman has now done over 12k miles in just under a year, and has used all of 400cc of oil to date. I'd say you have nothing to worry about, that's just how modern engines are. My wife's VW Golf also uses long life oil, and uses almost no oil at all between services. I do not plan on having my oil changed until 20,000 miles, just like Porsche say

I have about 4500 miles on mine with three autoxs included and it hasn't dropped at all according to the gauge. A Porsche mech friend said that he changed the oil in another CS at 5k, sent it off for analysis and it had all sorts of little stuff in it. So, I'll change at 5k after a PCA DE this weekend and then change at 10k miles if all goes well.

i have about 5000 miles on my 07 cs--vacation trip started at 2300 miles--at 3500 miles i had to add about 1/2 quart of oil--i was running the car very hard during a vacation trip at this time--hit the rev limiter 2 times in first--too busy watching the road to notice the tach--car's top speed 150 mph driven--many times well over 110 mph passing traffic-- many shifts from 6th to 4th to get by traffic--what a great 3 week drive--in 3 weeks of driving only a dodge pickup truck passed me and a F18 over head