Holy Crap

I once created a major oil leak by putting my Celica Oil Filter into a Camry. It fit perfectly, but did not seal at all. On these older models, there is no oil leak until the oil system is operating, so looking for leaks needs to occur after running the car...which I did not do. I discovered the mistake when my wife called. As soon as she saw the oil light go on, she stopped the car and asked what she should do. Sit tight and when I got there, it was clear what happened with an oil covered engine. Easy recovery (if a little messy). Far different story when the oil pressure low light is ignored.

 

Sorry about my wall of words
There's nothing to stop you from leaving the access door open while you do the on-the-ramp start.

 

Oh, I get that. Just thought it might have contributed to the problem. Not sure how many do that with the Prius.

 

Well! .......you "Made/Out" all the way around!

 

Nice. Rare we have a happy ending with a dealer.

This is why Jiffy Lube puts the filters and pan bolt on so tight you cant get it off lol.
Shite happens and you handled it well a gentleman doesn't throw a hissy cause its just bizness. Bad bizness but....

But the takeaway is check the oil the next morning. A Prius has to sit for a long time for oil the to drain back from the VVT section to be accurate on the stick. If anything stupid is going to happen usually its because someone was under there. Or should I say I say I was under there...

 

Frodoz's last comment really put me in the wrong state of mind when I started reading this comment... I've seen the guys at the dealer.

 

What exactly do you mean by "abnormal" and why do you think that ??

 

Once the light comes on, its' pretty hard not to have the damage already done. A gauge (analog or digital) is always better. it allows you to monitor the decreasing level. A pressure gauge on the oil is also helpful.

Sounds like a uoa is needed and further tests on the engine is in order. Or replacement engine on the dealers' dime.

DBCassidy

 

It's too bad there can't be a sensor that detects oil level dropped below low mark on dipstick.

Editorial:

uoa = Used Oil Analysis (I think)

 

What suxs is you paid to have a dealer w/ certified mechanics perform regular maintenance on your vehicle. With that comes a level of trust and professional expectations that their work will be done right. (guarantee). Hopefully all will work out for you.

DBCassidy

Yes, I was thinking that also. That the manufacturer would design the sensor to let you know when the level drops below the low level mark. All the current sensors are a switch - on and off. If the sensor could be graduated to blink slowly when low and increase blinking when oil level further drops. That would be a step in the right direction.

DBCassidy

 

It's not that easy with most engine designs.
A fair portion of the oil in the sump gets sucked up and is circulating while the engine runs.
That doesn't leave a lot to "measure" in most cases.......and things like going around corners and stopping and starting tends to make what is left pool in one side of the pan on another.

I have always thought that the threshold for the light is set too high.........and maybe that the engine should be stopped automatically when the pressure drops off enough.......but that presents a whole different set of problems.

 

Yeah, guess it's nigh impossible, with the oil sucking up during running conditions, slopping in the sump.

 

I would vote for analog or digital display of oil pressure, hopefully with a "yellow arc" or yellow LED flashing when pressure reached a low threshold (but high enough that engine damage would NOT yet have occurred.). We as drivers would have to include oil pressure in our instrument scan, but my Tundra and Miata both have such oil pressure gauges (analog) and I do regularly check, particularly at start-up. That system is used in General Aviation aircraft and works reasonably well there.

 

Long ago, oil pressure gauges were standard even on mundane low-priced cars. They mostly disappeared in favor of idiot lights 60 years ago, with the excuse that the idiot behind the wheel is more likely to notice a sudden red light than a gauge dropping below its normal position. Ammeters disappeared simultaneously, with the same excuse.

My brother's last VW went thousands, or probably tens of thousands, of miles with abnormally low (but obviously not zero!) oil pressure, due to a defective oil pump. Well beyond the warranty, VW and the dealer finally admitted the low-pressure warning light was not a false alarm and partially paid the cost of replacing the pump. It survived beyond 300K with no further engine problems.

 

To their credit, Chrysler Corp. continued with ammeters in their cars well into the 70's.

GM on the other hand seemed to be the leader in de-instrumentation. I recall our '56 Oldsmobile had only the speedometer and fuel gauge though it did have a Cold light in addition to the overheating light so you knew when you could get heat.

That being said, the Prius seems to deny that there's an engine at all.

 

I don't mind "idiot lights" so long as they are calibrated to go on LONG before there is any real danger to the motor.

With computerization nowadays, I don't see why a car with a "fatal" error doesn't just shut down immediately rather than keep running and suffer permanent damage.

 

While that sounds logical, think about running in bumper to bumper traffic at 80 MPH......which really happens often in major metro areas......when your oil pressure light comes on. Do you REALLY want the engine to just shut off completely ?? I don't.