Must add a quart of oil between oil changes

[free_money]

I have always changed my oil every 3,000 miles on my previously owned vehicles. The honda factory service manual suggests to change every 7,500 miles and I read a lot of threads on here suggesting to change about every 5,000 miles. My car is at 124,000 miles and I am using 5w-20 conventional motor oil and right now I have gone 4,000 miles and I checked the dipstick today and the oil is at the bottom hole which I am assuming that means a quart low correct? Should I start changing my oil at a 3,000 mile interval as I did on my previous vehicles or move up to a 5w-30 oil or 10w-30?

p.s. I do not have any oil leaks because I checked thoroughly today while I changed my tranny fluid.

[RTexasF]

Were it mine I would try 5W30 for one interval (5K) to see if there is any improvement in consumption.

[SatinSilver]

Possibly time for a new pcv valve? Your 5k oci sounds good.

[SatinSilver]

It seems these engines like to burn more oil when doing hwy miles. I would switch to a 5w30 also.

[RTexasF]

If you plan on keeping the car here is what I would use...TWICE. It's quite an amazing product.

http://www.auto-rx.com/

[Accordlover]

Those 2.3L VTEC's in the 98-02 Accord love them some oil!

The PCV valve and the auto RX are great ideas.

You might also look into switching to a synthetic blend oil. It works wonders. - The 98 Odyssey here, which uses that same 2.3L VTEC was using oil like there was no tomorrow. A switch to synth blend and it hasn't used any noticeable amount in 2k.

[cajun]

A quart low after 4K miles sounds like a lot if you don't see any obvious leaks. Any smoke from the exhaust? FWIW my 2.3L doesn't seem to burn oil between 5K changes, but it's only a pup at 58K miles.

[stiller fan]

to the OP:

be glad that it's only burning about a quart every OCI.... mine burns about a quart every 1k mile trip i take....

[buster]

I have 93k on the 2.4. I do 75% highway miles usually at 80+ mph. I use about 1 qt pert 8-11k miles depending on how I drive. I"m using Amsoil 0w-30 now. No difference in consumption so far.

[free_money]

I just changed my oil yesterday and I used 5w-30 instead of 5w-20 and will see how well it does. If it still burns a quart of oil between oil changes I may take a look at changing pcv valve (whatever that is). What is the pcv valve?

[cajun]

PCV valve = Positive Crankcase Ventiliation valve. It costs about $3 and takes 5 mins to change. Look at the top center of your valve cover. You'll see a hose sticking out of it - that's connected to your PCV valve. You can pick one up at any of the chains. I got one from O'Reilly recently. Use pliers to disconnect the little metal retainer where the hose meets the PCV valve. Pull the hose free and then pull the PCV valve from the valve cover. Give it a little tug and it will work free.

[buster]

I changed the pcv valve and it didn't help at all. For some, it has helped.