Low oil...
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I would keep the correct amount of oil in the car at all times. Yes, if the oil gets too low, you can cause engine damage.
If you've already done it I wouldn't worry about it, it's probably not going to hurt anything. That said, with a sump that small I'd try to keep it filled up all the way whenever possible.
Remember some of MOPAR's old hiperformance 440's couldn't be kept full. They'd use a quart every 100 miles if you tried!! Same engine would stay at 1 quart low for 2,000 miles without adding. At that time in a hi-per 2,000 was LOOONG change interval.
Modern question is, why would you even consider running low?
Bob
Modern question is, why would you even consider running low?
Bob
Will your engine immediately seize up? No.
Will it do long-term harm?
My Metro has about the same sump size and burns oil like crazy. I add a quart when it hits the quart low mark, so it spends at least some time a quart low. It still runs, but it's not exactly in pristine condition anymore.
Will it do long-term harm?
My Metro has about the same sump size and burns oil like crazy. I add a quart when it hits the quart low mark, so it spends at least some time a quart low. It still runs, but it's not exactly in pristine condition anymore.
why on earth would you do so? Are you too cheap? If so and you cannot afford to put in another quart of M1, you shall consider 1 step lower (e.g. get some semi-syn or simply get GTX or so on the go). That way, your engine shall have enough oil to get to the "full" mark and sufficient thermal capacity to do it's job( absorb/transfer heat from critical parts to the rest of the body, and also dissipate heat through oil pan, etc.)
Q.
Q.
My best friend had a BMW with a constant rear man seal leak. Every time he made a sharp turn, the oil pressure light came on.
That is why I am a bit of a nut about keeping the oil level as close to the MAX mark as possible.
That is why I am a bit of a nut about keeping the oil level as close to the MAX mark as possible.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
My best friend had a BMW with a constant rear man seal leak. Every time he made a sharp turn, the oil pressure light came on.
That is why I am a bit of a nut about keeping the oil level as close to the MAX mark as possible.
LOL! Then that's your friend's fault for not getting his rear main seal leak fixed, not the oil level...
My best friend had a BMW with a constant rear man seal leak. Every time he made a sharp turn, the oil pressure light came on.
That is why I am a bit of a nut about keeping the oil level as close to the MAX mark as possible.
LOL! Then that's your friend's fault for not getting his rear main seal leak fixed, not the oil level...
I didnt purposely drive with it a quart low. It was the fault of the place who changed my oil. I cant balme them entirly,as I chould have checked it some where in my OCI. Also, I would love to change my own oil, but as if being winter and having a dirt driveway, its not very practical.
Are you saying you got the oil changed, didn't check the level, and then after 5,000 miles noticed it was a quart low? If so, it's very possible that the car was at the full line when changed, and burned a quart of oil over the OCI (and so wasn't a whole quart low for the whole 5,000 miles).
It's a Toyota 1.6? That's entirely likely, then.
Originally Posted By: Anduril
It's a Toyota 1.6? That's entirely likely, then.
Indeed; I'd put money on it being oil consumption. Try running Valvoline Maxlife; it has really helped the consumption in my 94 1.8L. Also, these cars are extremely easy to change the oil. No ramps or jacks needed as the plug is on the front of the oil pan; filter is accessible from the top right below the exhaust manifold.
It's a Toyota 1.6? That's entirely likely, then.
Indeed; I'd put money on it being oil consumption. Try running Valvoline Maxlife; it has really helped the consumption in my 94 1.8L. Also, these cars are extremely easy to change the oil. No ramps or jacks needed as the plug is on the front of the oil pan; filter is accessible from the top right below the exhaust manifold.
The more oil, the more oil to hold the contaminates. You should have a lower PPM with more oil.
The other problem I had on my Camry where the oil light came on at 1/3 of the way above FILL was I believe related to sludge. If you had sludge in the head, I think there will be pools of oil that only slowly return to the oil pan. So for example if this pool(s) held 1/2QT your engine while running would have 1/2QT less in the oil pan as that 1/2QT was stuck in the head in a pool. At least that is my theory. Otherwise I cannot see why my oil pressure light came on when oil level was 1/3 above FILL.
I did the AUTO-RX clean/rinse twice.
So my point is with a clean engine running at FILL may not really be a problem, if you had a sludged up engine it could be a real problem.
Remember most oil pressure lights come on at only a few pounds, so when they come on, you are in a serious situation.
The other problem I had on my Camry where the oil light came on at 1/3 of the way above FILL was I believe related to sludge. If you had sludge in the head, I think there will be pools of oil that only slowly return to the oil pan. So for example if this pool(s) held 1/2QT your engine while running would have 1/2QT less in the oil pan as that 1/2QT was stuck in the head in a pool. At least that is my theory. Otherwise I cannot see why my oil pressure light came on when oil level was 1/3 above FILL.
I did the AUTO-RX clean/rinse twice.
So my point is with a clean engine running at FILL may not really be a problem, if you had a sludged up engine it could be a real problem.
Remember most oil pressure lights come on at only a few pounds, so when they come on, you are in a serious situation.
Thanks for the replies 
I do my oil changes in the summer, but like I said not so practical in the winter.
I'm sure that the car is not burning that amount of oil. The car has ALWAYS been on the full mark 5,000 miles in the OCI. Or is it possible to start burning that much oil in that short amount of time and my details?
Filter and drain plug was tight, also the car doesnt have any leaks
I did do an Auto-RX treatment with in the past 15,000 miles.
I also pulled the valve cover to check things out and it looked good
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Whats this I hear of the 1.6 burning oil?
I've always been under the impression that the 1.8 had the oil issues...
I do my oil changes in the summer, but like I said not so practical in the winter.
I'm sure that the car is not burning that amount of oil. The car has ALWAYS been on the full mark 5,000 miles in the OCI. Or is it possible to start burning that much oil in that short amount of time and my details?
Filter and drain plug was tight, also the car doesnt have any leaks
I did do an Auto-RX treatment with in the past 15,000 miles.
I also pulled the valve cover to check things out and it looked good
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Whats this I hear of the 1.6 burning oil?
I've always been under the impression that the 1.8 had the oil issues...
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