94 SW2 Oil eater

You are over playing this. If engines blew or were damaged that easy
there would be a LOT more dead cars on the road! when oil gets down
to 50% or capacity then you need to start worrying but not at 10 or
20%. I am not saying that you should run it a quart low all the time
but what I am saying is if it is a quarter to a 1/2 a mark below full
of so there is no need to panic or top it off unless you are planning
a extended trip. Also contray to popular belief, a 10 to 20% overfill
will not hurt a thing either as it take a lot more overfill than that
to cause problems. SO it you are "worried" about your oil consumption,
add a extra 4 to 8 ounces at top off to extend top off intervals.

 

Reminds me of an old "Home Improvement" episode -

Tim: "I just don't understand....the engine is seized! It's got no oil!!
Didn't the oil light come on?!?!"

Jill: "yes"

Tim: "Yes?!?! And you didn't stop?!?!?"

Jill: "Well, I thought the light would get brighter if it reeeeally
needed it".

 

I currently own 2 Saturns, and have been an owner for more than 12 years.
I've been through more than one engine, and have seen others in my car club
suffer oil-related failures and have to say this.

If you run at all below the full mark, ANYTIME, you are asking for it.
S-Series engines have proven over the years to be very touchy when it comes
to oil. They like it full, and they like it changed at the 3000 mile mark.
An owner is free to disregard either or both of those. But if you do, you
are shortening the life of your motor. Guaranteed. While it won't break
instantly by running a quart low, you are using up your small margin of
safety. From one Saturn owner to many others, I urge everyone to please get
in the habit of checking their oil and keeping it at the full mark.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

 

Hi YMMV,
Well said and it's nice to hear a pilots take on autos. I keep a quart
in the SW2 all the time. Love my 94 and replaced the motor when I
replaced the trans from 6th Planet Auto Parts in Florida. They sell
only used Saturn parts. Hope this one lasts longer than the 160k on my
old one. Still love my wagon but being Saturn doesn't have any more
I'll probably buy something else when it's time.
Thanks again Linda

 

I am also a big believer in the mini SW body type. When combined with a
good roof rack they allow tremendous utility and great fuel economy. I have
even slept in mine, and seldom have a reason to put the rear seat back up.
If Saturn had continued to produce the S1 series wagons I would have
purchased another new one but now I guess I will have to just make do with
what I have, hopefully for another ten years or more. By that time there
will be a whole new generation of cars to choose from. I think it is sad
that GM has abandoned the economical SW in favor of gas hog SUVs and plain
sedans with no cargo space.

Good luck with yours, YMMV

 

Just as a point of reference, "YMMV" is an acronym for "Your Mileage May
Vary."