I am getting a cloud of black smoke when starting the vehicle. Only occurs on first start up after it's been sitting for a couple of days. Recently the low oil level light came on. I spoke to someone who recommended switching to Mobil 1 5/40 which may help. Any input on this would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

Are you talking about a big cloud of smoke that comes out or a little puff of smoke at cold start? If its a little puff, its normal. If the low oil light is on, add some oil. Its unlikely you are in danger of running low as the car holds a lot of oil but best to keep the oil level around the middle bar on the dash readout.

 

Black smoke is not oil..
Blueish white is oil.
Black is rich fuel mixture.

 

Correct rich fuel mixture I would have a good shop take a look.

 

Unless you are tuned then expect black smoke on first start

 

Mine is not tuned and no black smoke?

 

leaky injector?
Spark plugs struggle to ignite?

Define black...I've heards tons of people say black when they are really meaning variations of grey.

 

Some maps are rich on initial cold start up.

 

I'd say its a blueish black and call it a puff- but enough to travel into cabin when starting in the garage with drivers window rolled down. Other ppl have told me it's normal as well. Should I be concerned?

 

Meh. Is it just once in a while?

I bet it's oil.

 

I have read that this is normal for these

 

Mine does it constantly. It's oil. I hate it to, looks like a junker starting up

 

Mine does it 2 out of 10 start ups.

 

Mine used to do it after parking on a transverse slope . The cylinders can hold oil in them and it produces some smoke on start up. Some times it might not even do it. But.....it is quite common.
So long as;
Your not using too much oil,
You not getting smoke when driving,
It doesn't do it every time you start especially on the flat,
The smoke is actually burnt oil and not fuel. ( Type of tune dependant. Good tunes should not do this.) A leaking injector will give a P code as the O2 sensors should pick up the issue.


Its easy to determine if the smoke is fuel or oil, just get some one to start the car for you and have a smell of the smoke, your going to be able to instantly tell the difference between fuel and oil.


Hope that helps a bit to supress the paranoia that these cars have a habit of causing.
Frank.