why am i lossing oil im not leaking oil nor burning it

2004 CADILLAC CTS
131,000 MILES
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SNOWRUNNERCRASH
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i have a 04 cts and for the 1st 3 mo oil changes i seen if i go over miles my check eng light comes on i eather change oil or add tell i can get a oil change. this time im 1000 miles tell oil change is neesed. my question is. WERE IS MY OIL GOING? i do not have blue smoke comimg out and i get oil changes done at a cadillac dealer.
Apr 28, 2012 at 6:22 AM
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CARADIODOC
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First of all, your dipstick doesn't read "add" and "full". It reads "min" and "max" to address the numerous complaints of oil usage which is fairly common on all cars today. If you were looking at the highest mark, and seeing the level go down over time you're still okay if your level is still above the "min" mark.

If the level is going well below the "min" mark but there are no obvious signs of leakage, it is probably being burned slowly enough that you don't see any smoke at the tail pipe. You can add a small bottle of dye to the oil, then search for the leak after a few days with a black light. Any auto parts store will have the dye and if they borrow or rent tools, they will likely have the black light too. Search around the engine but especially at the tail pipe. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain to identify the location of the leak.
Apr 28, 2012 at 6:33 AM