Our 1999 S-80 which has 85000 miles is using about 1 quart of oil
every 3000 miles. What is normal oil consumption between oil
changes? The oil has always been changed in accordance with
recommendations from manufacturer. Would oil consumption of
2 quarts every 7500 mile be excessive?

 

I don't know what is "normal" for Volvos. However I would consider 1 qt. every 3K miles excessive. Have you noticed any smoking or oil stains on the driveway. Also look at the engine to see if you may have a bad gasket where the oil is leaking but is being burned off before it hits the ground. If there is smoke coming from the tail pipe your piston rings could be going bad, but that is probably not the case with only 85K on the engine, unless it has been driven excessively hard.

 

I change my oil every 3,000 miles and I don't think it's uncommon to be down a quart when I change it. I would not call that excessive. I would change it more often that every 7500 miles no matter what the maintenance schedule calls for, I know that much.

 

It is not excessive but usually a quart in 5,000 miles is normal.

 

Thanks for your help. Our car is still under warranty (till 100K). Would an engine compression
check be necessary--would it help determine if the car needs work? What test is available that
would determine if the car would need new piston rings, etc. before my warranty expires.

 

A compression test will tell you if the rings are worn.
They would do the first test.Then squirt oil in the cylinder and see if the compression goes higher.If it does then the rings would be worn.