The dipstick read a tad bit below the "low" mark.

This is 2200 after I did the oil.

Is this bad?

 

I'll bite (I sure hope this isnt a troll)

Being low on oil after 2200 miles wouldn't seem to be good. Have you been checking regularly since the last oil change? Perhaps there is a simple answer like filling up a quart short. Is there a substantial amount of oil on your block? Is your exhaust notoriously grey/blue?

 

Make sure you are on a completely flat surface and the engine is cold too. If the answer is still yes, then yeah its bad.

You should figure 0 - 1 qt of oil burning between changes depending on the vehicles overall mileage and conditiion. It also depends on what weight of oil you are using.

My 96 burns about .5 qt of 5 - 30WT synthetic every 5K miles.

 

I'll check tomorrow when the engine is cold on a flat surface.

I checked the oil at about 1500 and everything was good.

I am running VALVONINE 10W-30.

When I replace my oil, I put in 5.5 QTs.

I'll have to take a close look at my exhaust, however, I do have a bad exhaust smell. Very strong.

This is not sounding good

 

It's probably not cold in phoenix, but watch your tailpipe when you start up the truck and see how much blue smoke comes out. I assume you're not loosing any on the ground. If you're losing a lot of oil on startup (blue smoke) then you have worn rings i'd say. Otherwise, might just need a valve job done and put new valve seals on it. i wouldn't be to worried, it's not the kind of problem that just leaves you stranded one day, it just slowly eeks power away.

 

I believe Toyota recommends warming it up and then letting it sit for 5 or 10 minutes before checking the oil. I don't think it really matters. I check my oil both ways.

BTW, I go through about 1 quart every 1K miles. But that's because I have leaks. :cry:

I wouldn't be too worried unless you are getting a noticeable cloud of blue/grey smoke coming out you exhaust.

Vehicles get old and leak a little. That's the way I look at it.

 

Oil leak quotes i've heard:
Its not leaking oil, its marking its territory
When it quits leaking, it means i'm low on oil.

Had a few more....friday afternoon must be sapping away my useless brain power.

Also, you may be able to see the oil burn (if its there) when taking off, in a hurry, at low rpms.