I have a 2010 Rubicon that I bought new and now has 14,000 miles on it. Oil consumption has been slowly but steadily increasing on it from less that 1/4 quart per 3000 miles to just over 1 quart per 3000 miles. I now know why. The dealer has confirmed that the dipstick is reading incorrectly. It reads full at 4 3/4 quarts compared to the specified oil capacity of 6 quarts. On three of the six oil changes I have had done to date, I checked the dipstick immediately after the change, found it was showing overfill and had the overfill removed. Therefore, after three of these oil changes, I was running under oiled from day one and took it down to less than 2/3 capacity before adding oil since that was the result of following the owners manual and not replacing oil until the add line was reached. The other three oil changes were done by the dealer and I never checked the result since I assumed that they knew what they were doing.

It is apparent that this is a factory condition since the very first oil change that I had done ended up with an overfill. The dealer has now ordered a new dipstick and tube to address the inaccurate calibration. However, all that they are proposing to do with regards to potential accelerated wear is put me on an oil consumption report. I know from previous posts on this and other Jeep forums that Chrysler Canada won't consider oil consumption a warranty issue unless consumption exceeds 1 quart per 1000 miles.

This is an extremely high threshold that I am unlikely to meet. However, I feel that the accelerated engine wear is something that Chrysler Canada needs to address. At a mimimum, I want an extended warranty on the engine but that still leaves unresolved issues. For example, there can be a resale issue if anyone checks the service records.

For now, I would appreciate any advice on what potential issues I should be concerned about and any suggestions on what recourse I should seek from Chrysler Canada

Regards
MBjeepster

 

I wonder if this is on all jeeps

 

This is becoming a very big and common problem with the 3.8's. Mine included...

 

No. Mine burns no oil, and when the dip stick reads full at the oil change, I can drain just shy of 6 quarts out of it.

To the OP, having less than 6 quarts of oil in it for only 14,000 miles won't be the cause of any issues.

You never let it run dry, and it was getting fresh clean oil every 3,000 miles. Don't worry about the engine from that perspective.
You oil consumption is a separate issue.

 

Are you sure? The inaccurate dipstick means that there have been times that I was running with 3 3/4 quarts in the engine compared to the 6 quart capacity. Some of those miles have been on Colorado trails where I was climbing and descending 40 degree grades.

 

I added some to my post above.

Your engine is still pretty new. As long as it didn't run dry, I would not worry about it.

Ah, you added some too.

Did the oil light ever come on when on those steep grades?

 

I never got a low pressure indication but I did once get a "High Oil Temperature" on the DIC when offroading. I let it cool down and it was fine after that one incident.

 

Hot oil indicator is for the automatic transmission, so no connection there.

 

I need to add that there was one other indicator that led me to believe there was a problem. About a month ago, the engine started running very rough from a cold start. It was for no more than two seconds and would then smooth out. This is what led me to suspect an oiling problem even though the dipstick was reading in the middle of the safe zone. After this week's oil change, that behaviour has stopped since it now filled to the specified capacity. However, the service manager did comment that the engine does seem to be idling somewhat unevenly even at full oil.

 

I have a 10 Rubi and the dipstick is dead on. Take a look at your window sticker for the heck of it and see where your engine was assembled. The trans info will be on there also. The hot oil is the trans as was said. Nothing to worry about with the oil level. Have you been doing oil changes or just the dealer. If they are/were doing it I hope that they were also changing the filter before adding 6qts. If they scammed and didn't it would show as being over filled. Something doesn't sound right about the dipstick not being accurate. This is the first time I have seen this complaint on any forum. I guess it could possibly happen but the 3.8 has been manufactured for awhile now. Maybe they screwed up and switched your dipstick with another vehicle when it was in last. Now that could happen.