Q: I saw an article regarding a 2004 Chevy Silverado that was using oil every 2,500 miles. You said according to a TSB bulletin TSB # 01-06-01-011D that one quart every 2,000 was acceptable. I have a 2004 Dodge Caravan SXT with the 3.8 engine. It was going 3,000 miles and not using a drop of oil. Then, it started using a quart every 1,000 miles at 44,000 miles.

The service writer said that is a big change, and it should be checked. So I left the van at the dealer and expected them to find something wrong. The service writer called me back later that day and said that he was told by his regional service representative that one quart every 1,000 miles is OK.

The tail pipe has black soot in it. The engine has an oil film on it that was not there before. But that is called seepage and is OK, the dealer said. As long as it does not leave a puddle on the floor, it is OK, they said.

I think putting three quarts of oil in compared to none before for 3,000 miles is quite a big deal to me. Is there a TSB for my 2004 Dodge van on oil usage? Does Dodge not want to fix this under the warranty for some reason or is this the industry standard that they said all car manufactures go by. They say 1,000 miles and one quart of oil used is what every car dealer goes by.

Something is not right, as the TSB for the Chevy truck is different than what Dodge says. I need to find something in writing to get this fixed. Carrying oil around with me is not helping my gas mileage. I have written a letter to Dodge, but in the past I have written letters to GM and not gotten a response back. Is that the norm? Just ignore the people that buy cars from them? I’m waiting for a reply from Dodge right now. -- H.F., Portage, IN

A: H.F., I looked to see if Dodge issued a TSB regarding oil consumption for your vehicle. They have not. Many manufacturers don’t publish a specification for oil consumption. Plus, oil consumption can vary from engine to engine. What one manufacturer says is good for one engine doesn’t always hold true for every other engine.

If you’re sure that the oil isn’t leaking out of your minivan’s engine, then it must be burning it. While the dealer told you the condition is normal, I don’t agree. There’s got to be a reason why all of the sudden your minivan’s engine started burning oil.

Has anyone checked the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system and valve? A faulty PCV system could easily cause an increase in oil consumption. Also, it’s important to keep up with regular oil changes. Did you switch to a different type of oil? Are you using the correct oil for your vehicle? Failure to use the proper oil and failure to change it at recommended intervals could lead to a buildup of sludge in the engine and on the piston’s oil control rings. Once that happens, oil consumption increases.

I’d recommend you get a second opinion while you’re waiting to hear back from Dodge.

Q: My son has a set of keys to my 2006 Hyundai Sonata, and he’s been borrowing it without my permission. I don’t want to call the police, but want to know if there’s a simple way to disable it when I’m not using it. -- G.P., Matteson

A: G.P., I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, you can disable it by removing the “Start” relay from the engine compartment relay center. Once removed, the engine will not even crank over.

AutoAdviser: Ira Siegel is an Automotive Instructor and ASE Certified Master Auto Technician. If you have auto-related questions for Ira Siegel you can call and leave your questions at the Auto Adviser Hotline at 708-633-6839 or e-mail a question to Autoadvisr@aol.com.