1) When is it best to check oil, cold engine, or let it get hot shut it off and wait a few minutes.

2) Is 10w-30 ok for winter use, I always run heavyier oil in my car cuz its old right now I have 10w-40 but I know I cant have that for winter.

3) What other ways can oil get burned off besides a ring or valve seals. I thinking valve guides and maby head gasket?

 

honestly, I know 90% of you know the answer.

 

1) it doesn't really matter, if it's hot just make sure you give it a couple of minutes for the oil to drain back.

2) You need to give your location so we know how cold it gets there.

3) The only way for oil to get burned is to get past the rings or the valve seals. In some rare cases oil can get through the PCV system, introduced into the combustion chambers via the throttle body and intake. It is also possible but unlikely that your intake manifold gaskets are leaking and oil is being sucked from the lifter valley into the intake runners in the heads. Really though, rings or valve seals. If it's valve seals your car will smoke on startup after sitting over night or for a short period of time, but if you turn the motor off, and minutes later restart it, it will not smoke.