So...... 1 Quart low

[viper117630]

So last night I decided to check the oil in my speed since I hadn't really done it for 3 weeks since my last oil change. To my surprise there is only a drip on the end of the dip stick. I take it to the dealer and they say that its one quart low and there aren't any leaks. I don't have any kind of smoking so that isn't even part of the question and even if I was smoking 1qt of oil would definitely be noticeable. I am pretty sure that the dealership only put in 5qt's and since I was an idiot and didn't check it right away I cant exactly prove it. Question is, how much damage could have been done driving almost 500 miles 1 quart low?

 

[60181]

Question is, how much damage could have been done driving almost 500 miles 1 quart low?

likely none. if it was mid summer and you were on a long trip, things might wear a little faster but not in your case.

 

[Kain]

Did you warm your car up to operating temps before checking the oil?

 

[PCspeed3]

keep in mind that the oil can be very tough to see on the dipstick, alose make sure shes on level ground when u check it.

 

[viper117630]

Yeah it was on level ground and completely warmed up. The dealer did say it was a quart low, just makes me nervous because of all the driving I did while it was like that. I know it's not leaking and I'm confident it's not smoking. Correct me if I'm wrong but burning a whole quart of oil in 3 weeks would be quite noticeable right?

 

[Protege52003]

.....did you check the level after your oil change?

-R

 

[paylew]

He already said he didn't check it right away.

OP, 500 miles isn't TOO bad. It's a lot better then cannon balling around the US or something. In this type of weather I would think you should be fine.

 

[oaklandopen]

keep in mind that the oil can be very tough to see on the dipstick, alose make sure shes on level ground when u check it.

not sure what you mean by that, i don't have any trouble

and to the op...now you know to check the oil after you leave the dealer, if you do in fact decide to keep going to the dealer for oil changes. i've only been back to the dealer once for a replacement of the accellerometer under waranty. also, if they're not putting in the correct amount, i might be wary of the weight of the oil they're putting in as well...like the 5w20 problem that's been going on for a while

and i would say if you weren't noticing any driveability problems with 1 less qt of oil then you're probably okay. i woulda worried if you started bogging down or your turbo was making terrible noises or anything that might come with parts not being lubricated

edit: btw, op, i like your sig pic...but why did you choose to take it in front of a cemetary?

 

[viper117630]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm usually anal about these kind of things and don't forget to check the oil after someone other then me changes it. Simple excuse when I picked it up it was raining and I let it go. Needed a little pain to reinforce my morals I guess.
Oak.. For my sig I wanted something that was dark, maybe just a little evil hinting at the demonic power it came from. Figured that would be a great place to take that picture and looked great in B/W. I think it turned out pretty good.

 

[Kain]

If you're anal about this kinda stuff, I would think the first thing to do is not have the dealership handle simple stuff like changing your oil. There are too many horror stories about loose drain plugs, wrong oil, not enough oil, etc. to risk something this important.

 

[hectik1]

Everytime I check the oil (like a week or so after an oil change) it seems like I am a quart low. I just put a quart in and continue on my way.

Never seems to be low after though.(inout)

 

[khoney]

Everytime I check the oil (like a week or so after an oil change) it seems like I am a quart low. I just put a quart in and continue on my way.

Never seems to be low after though.(inout)

OK - may seem like a dumb question, but I have to ask, because you should never be low a week after an oil change. You do start the engine and let the oil circulate through the oil filter, THEN stop it and top it off, right? That could account for a good portion of it.

 

[hectik1]

OK - may seem like a dumb question, but I have to ask, because you should never be low a week after an oil change. You do start the engine and let the oil circulate through the oil filter, THEN stop it and top it off, right? That could account for a good portion of it.

I didn't change my oil...the dealer did.(boom07)

 

[viper117630]

Yeah, too cold out there for me to do my oil changes right now. Today is an exception though, beautiful outside here in MD. Just cant plan for these things during the winter.

 

[Kain]

Do it in the garage.