2023 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T AWD - Low Oil Level Alert

[H. Swanson]

I only put Amsoil SS 0w30 in this car and follow the Severe OCI, which is 5K miles or 6 months. I recently had the oil changed (last Thursday) at the mechanic, provided my own oil, and they did the change as always. Saturday night, I was driving to dinner with my wife and the Low Oil Level light came on. The car acted and sounded fine. I proceeded to drive to the restaurant, which was another 2 miles, and then drove home after dinner which was 3.5 miles.

When I got home, I checked the dipstick and the level was low...below the L. I topped it off with Amsoil and the alert went away.

Do you think my engine is ok? Once the light came on, I drove the car like a grandpa until I got home.

P.S. I believe I know what happened. I didn't give the mechanic quite enough Amsoil and perhaps he felt the oil level was close enough. What he should've done is top it off with some of their own synthetic, but oh well.

 

[shurguywutt]

You probably didn't give him enough oil. Maybe he thought that you didn't want him mixing oils since you went through the trouble of giving him Amsoil to change at his shop?

 

[HemiBenny]

Make sure everything is buttoned up. No leaks? Drain plug tight?

1. I’m sure that it’s fine given the scenario presented. As long as “below the L” doesn’t mean, “not showing on the dipstick”.

2. Your “mechanic” couldn’t be bothered to do the job right by informing you that the oil supplied does not meet the required capacity. Get another mechanic.

 

[H. Swanson]

You probably didn't give him enough oil. Maybe he thought that you didn't want him mixing oils since you went through the trouble of giving him Amsoil to change at his shop?

Agreed. That's what I wrote in my post.

 

[H. Swanson]

1. I’m sure that it’s fine given the scenario presented. As long as “below the L” doesn’t mean, “not showing on the dipstick”.

2. Your “mechanic” couldn’t be bothered to do the job right by informing you that the oil supplied does not meet the required capacity. Get another mechanic.

There was oil on the dipstick but it was indeed below the L.

I probably provided around 4.5 quarts. Engine takes 6.13 quarts per the manual >.<

What's interesting is the oil level alert didn't trigger for two days.

 

[HemiBenny]

There was oil on the dipstick but it was indeed below the L.

I probably provided 4.5 quarts. Engine takes 6.13 quarts >.<

I did edit my post.

Make sure everything is buttoned up and not leaking. If it was leaking that much, surely you would know.

 

[H. Swanson]

I did edit my post.

Make sure everything is buttoned up and not leaking. If it was leaking that much, surely you would know.

No leaking at all. If it were, I'd notice it on my garage floor.

 

[shurguywutt]

Thing takes quite a bit of oil

 

[dishdude]

That won't hurt the engine one bit. I'd be more concerned with what happened to that quart or did your mechanic turn the car back to you low a quart.

 

[Lubener]

Change your oil yourself in the future so you know it's done correctly. Driving 5.5 miles with a low oil indication wasn't the smartest thing to do...

 

[ChrisD46]

I only put Amsoil SS 0w30 in this car and follow the Severe OCI, which is 5K miles or 6 months. I recently had the oil changed (last Thursday) at the mechanic, provided my own oil, and they did the change as always. Saturday night, I was driving to dinner with my wife and the Low Oil Level light came on. The car acted and sounded fine. I proceeded to drive to the restaurant, which was another 2 miles, and then drove home after dinner which was 3.5 miles.

When I got home, I checked the dipstick and the level was low...below the L. I topped it off with Amsoil and the alert went away.

Do you think my engine is ok? Once the light came on, I drove the car like a grandpa until I got home.

P.S. I believe I know what happened. I didn't give the mechanic quite enough Amsoil and perhaps he felt the oil level was close enough. What he should've done is top it off with some of their own synthetic, but oh well.

Curious - does your owners manual show severe service as 5K mile / 6 month or is that just what you follow ? With a turbo, I thought severe service would be 3,750 / 6 months ?

 

[ka9mnx]

You were about 1.6 quarts low when you left your mechanic. Most dipsticks are 1 quart between the L and F.

I'm surprised he didn't mention that to you.

 

[JavierH19]

By oil light do you mean the red one or the low oil level message? Also if the engine didn't sound any different as in louder it was still lubricating normally.

 

[KrisZ]

If the oil level still registered on the dipstick, then the engine will be fine, no need to worry about.

It’s good practice though to check the oil level after an OC, especially when someone else does it.

 

[H. Swanson]

By oil light do you mean the red one or the low oil level message? Also if the engine didn't sound any different as in louder it was still lubricating normally.

Just the low oil message.

 

[H. Swanson]

You were about 1.6 quarts low when you left your mechanic. Most dipsticks are 1 quart between the L and F.

I'm surprised he didn't mention that to you.

I agree

 

[H. Swanson]

If the oil level still registered on the dipstick, then the engine will be fine, no need to worry about.

It’s good practice though to check the oil level after an OC, especially when someone else does it.

I will definitely check every time from now on.

 

[H. Swanson]

Curious - does your owners manual show severe service as 5K mile / 6 month or is that just what you follow ? With a turbo, I thought severe service would be 3,750 / 6 months ?

Yes. That’s what the owners manual says.

 

[H. Swanson]

You were about 1.6 quarts low when you left your mechanic. Most dipsticks are 1 quart between the L and F.

I'm surprised he didn't mention that to you.

I’m surprised too. Although it’s my fault for not providing enough oil, he absolutely should’ve talked to me about it.

 

[JavierH19]

Just the low oil message.

Then there's nothing to worry about. It's the red light that's bad.