IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Oil Was Below Dipstick!

Old 11-28-17, 09:52 AM
  #1  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default Oil Was Below Dipstick!

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!
Old 11-28-17, 10:02 AM
  #2  
Bichon
Super Moderator
 
Bichon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,282
Received 253 Likes on 223 Posts
Default

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.
The following users liked this post:
Ken167 (11-28-17)
Old 11-28-17, 10:18 AM
  #3  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bichon
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!
Old 11-28-17, 10:43 AM
  #4  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bichon
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.
How many oil quarts does the 3.5 hold?
Old 11-28-17, 10:49 AM
  #5  
MikeFig82
Lead Lap
iTrader: (13)
 
MikeFig82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,075
Received 766 Likes on 669 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ken167
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!
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.
Old 11-28-17, 10:52 AM
  #6  
MikeFig82
Lead Lap
iTrader: (13)
 
MikeFig82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,075
Received 766 Likes on 669 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ken167
How many oil quarts does the 3.5 hold?
6.6 QT with filter change.
The following users liked this post:
Ken167 (11-28-17)
Old 11-28-17, 01:18 PM
  #7  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bichon
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.
My car has the TPMS warning light always on the center display since the sensors are out. Would the LOW OIL still come on?
Old 11-28-17, 02:06 PM
  #8  
mandyfig
Moderator
 
mandyfig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: GA
Posts: 12,298
Received 407 Likes on 359 Posts
Default

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.
Old 11-28-17, 02:17 PM
  #9  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mandyfig
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.
Old 11-28-17, 04:19 PM
  #10  
MikeFig82
Lead Lap
iTrader: (13)
 
MikeFig82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,075
Received 766 Likes on 669 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ken167
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.
Old 11-28-17, 05:00 PM
  #11  
XSV
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
 
XSV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 793
Received 61 Likes on 55 Posts
Default

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.
Old 11-29-17, 07:18 AM
  #12  
Bichon
Super Moderator
 
Bichon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,282
Received 253 Likes on 223 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ken167
My car has the TPMS warning light always on the center display since the sensors are out. Would the LOW OIL still come on?
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.
Old 11-29-17, 11:01 AM
  #13  
Gville350
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
 
Gville350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 11,568
Likes: 0
Received 429 Likes on 383 Posts
Default

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.
Old 11-29-17, 11:13 AM
  #14  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by XSV
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.
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.
Old 11-29-17, 12:08 PM
  #15  
Ken167
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Ken167's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: 949 Orange County CA
Posts: 780
Received 107 Likes on 78 Posts
Default

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.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Oil Was Below Dipstick!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:51 PM.