my 996 seems to eat a lot of engine oil... last time i got my engine oil changed was.. 3000km+/- and now the oil meter seems to only have around 2 - 3 bars left
while i drive the engine oil meter seems to always be near 5 and 4, only will it drop to 3 - 2 when its in neutral at a stop light

would my car be burning oil? i dont really push the 996 but i do go to 4k to hear the sweet sound of the PSE

 

That sounds about normal to me. I wouldn't worry about it, but you should check your oil frequently. Your car will use oil and that is also normal. How much is used varies from car to car.

 

Often, the amount of oil you burn is directly related to the brand of oil and its weight. Try another brand and/or weight and most likely you will see substantial lessoning of oil burning.

 

^
atm im using the Japanese brand "Elf" which renamed to "Total" engine oil
any brand recommendation?

 

what weight? try a thicker oil?

 

Check your oil levels from the dipstick in the morning before you start the engine. I am not too sure how accurate the bars on the dash are...

 

I can second that, don't wait for the display message to check oil or use the gauge. Both nice tools, but checking the dipstick regularly works best imo.
Don't know if your consumption is normal though. Mine was eating a lot when i first got it, but after that, it barely needed any. Just about the only time I refill is when I do an oil change.

 

OK, so this may be a Newb response... but I was told there was NO dipstick on my car. An the only way to check is via the electronic system. Please advise. (03 996)

 

open the deck lid, there is a yellow dipstick in the middle, slightly to the left of the compartment....thats the oil dipstick.

 

How exactly do you read the segments on the dipstick? At what level should it be on the red indicator?

 

Oil level should be within the two lines which is the narrow part of the dipstick. At least that's how it is in my 996.

The manual should have a picture about that as well if i'm not mistaken.

 

You're a guy, right? The first thing you are supposed to do, as part of being a guy, is read the car manual cover to cover multiple times as soon as you buy a new car.

 

check out the many threads on the continuing oil wars. I've switched to RedLine and it seems to bring engine temp down a few degrees from M1.

 

+1.

I switched to Syntec 10W-40. I am also using Lucas Oil Additive. Engine warm and at idle, the oil gauge reads 2.5

 

4K? I do 5k on every gear and dont burn any oil>>>>>>>>>>>> man up and redline that thing!!