I had the oil changed yesterday, and I suspected they didn't refill the oil to the correct level. Afterwards I stopped at a gas station to check the oil and it was below the dipstick. Luckily I had a quart in the trunk so I poured it in and now level is about 2/3 up on the stick. I'm upset and will be contacting the place that did the oil.

I hope no engine damage occurred--no oil pressure light came on, and I didn't hear any engine clatter.

But want to get more input from CL!

 

Our car actually has an oil level sensor that goes on about a quart below the low mark on the dipstick. It displays in the trip computer display between the speedo and tach and says "LOW OIL". Since that warning wasn't displayed, it's likely your oil level wasn't low enough to cause damage, though it certainly doesn't inspire confidence in the shop that did the work for you.

 

Ok cool thanks now I feel better about it. Actually it was done at the AutoNation dealer I work at. I will be having a chat with the service dept!

 

How many oil quarts does the 3.5 hold?

 

Give it a few minutes to drain back into the pan. You might have over filled now. I would check it again to be sure.

 

6.6 QT with filter change.

 

My car has the TPMS warning light always on the center display since the sensors are out. Would the LOW OIL still come on?

 

Generally, between the LOW and FULL lines of a dipstick represent 1 Quart of oil. If you had oil showing on the LOW, you need to add 1 Quart. Means that if you had 6.6 Qts full, at the LOW line, means you have 5.6 Quarts of oil in the engine.

In short you may have been shorted 1 Quart.

 

It wasn't even showing on the stick until I added oil.

 

Is the oil level correct now that the car has been sitting awhile? If not I would check if no leaks. Look at the oil filter housing, drain plugs. That's why I never take my car to speedy shops. They forget things.

 

something isn't right. unless your low oil sensor isn't working, the oil sensor should have alerted you that you were low on oil if there was not enough oil to to reach the dipstick. I've had low oil already a few times nearing my next oil changes due to oil burning.

 

Yes. The warnings should display in succession. Open a door and you should see the warning screen toggle between CHECK SYSTEM and the door open warning.

 

Just have this issue well-documented by your service dept. Sadly it was your employer that serviced the vehicle. I hope for your sake that the car is fine and nothing happens because that could get ugly.

 

I hope the low oil sensor is working. I think the engine is fine--the low oil pressure light and low oil never came on and engine sounds normal. I did note the oil level mistake on the RO from AutoNation.

 

I just spoke with the tech who did the oil change--he said he put 5.5 quarts he remembers what the meter said on the fill hose digital readout. I assume 1 quart low wont damage engine and oil level light never came on so I assume I shouldn't worry about it.