I'm curious; if the engine runs out of oil, will it shut off automatically?

And compared to 40 years ago they're right.

 

With 5k mile oil change intervals that's probably feasible for 99.9% of owners during the engine warranty period (3 yr).

For higher mileage Prius and longer oil drain intervals it's definitely not something to aspire to do.

 

Yea...I believed everything the sales guy told me too.

 

Goal #1: Customer minimizes personal involvement with auto maintenance, which furthers the next two goals:

Goal #2: Maximize service department revenue because the ignorant customer has to accept the dealership service writer's word about what maintenance and repair the car requires

Goal #3: Limit vehicle service life to not much beyond the manufacturer's warranty period, to encourage new car sales

 

We are 6 mo or 8000 km interval. But still.

 

uart,

This leads to another interesting story regarding oil consumption and obliviousness.

In April I had an opportunity to buy an '08 with 155k from a good friend who is an every 5k miles dealer service guy. We had been planning for about 3 years to let me have a first crack at it before he did his customary trade-in thing, as he's doesn't like the hassle of selling off vehicles himself. When he let me know it was time, my only question to him was how much, if any, oil it burned. His answer was that when the reminder light came on he took it to the dealer and had it changed. The light had happened to just come on, though, and he said he'd pull the stick and let me know. He couldn't get the dip stick out. It was stuck enough that he needed a shot of WD-40 to break it free - no joke. Admittedly, the dip stick had never been pulled since he drove it off the lot at purchase. The good news, it was only 1/4" down on the stick.

Mike..

 

Well before any serious engine damage should occur the car should warn you with a low oil pressure indication.

Never ignore an oil pressure warning!

 

looks like the goal is in sight, but...

 

...what if you can't pop the hood because you left the dome light on, the 12v is dead, your locked out and don't know there's a key in the fob, because your parents forgot to tell you?

 

That's when you get that..."Hey uh Dad"...phone call.

 

yup. if the cell phone bat isn't dead as well.

 

That will teach him to put the damn thing down once in a while...and not leave the lights on too.

 

a chevy volt in a prius chatroom?
is that allowed?

 

"I'm curious; if the engine runs out of oil, will it shut off automatically?"
yes and may never start again...

"umm hun how long has the oil light been on and why is their a sticker over it??"

if you cant pump your own gas
check the oil weekly
and change a tire when needed
sell the car and get a bus pass

 

Not to sound sexist, because I'm not, but many years ago that's what used to be called...Female Basic Car Skills 101.

 

most men now cant figure it out either...todays man has become pathetic and dose not want to get his hands dirty.. my 35 yr old neighbor hires handy men for everything and always complains he's broke..paid someone yesterday $75 to replace 2 sprinkler heads and flush the rest...

 

Well, the car should have had 30 oil changes since it was new. Hopefully the dealer tech who changed the oil checked the oil level on the dipstick before releasing the car - or would that be too much to expect??

Also, since you and your friend have no idea how much oil was added by the dealer tech when the oil was changed, the fact that the oil level is currently 1/4" down from the top dimple after 4,500 miles does not necessarily mean that little or no oil was consumed. For example: if the oil started at 3/8" over the top dimple, around 3/4 or 1 quart would have been consumed... In any event, if you did buy the car, then good luck and you can tell us under more controlled conditions what the actual oil consumption is.

 

Funny, I'm almost reluctant to check oil immediately following an oil change. I'll run the engine, and then yeah, I do check it, but pay it little credence. It always seem to read about a pint low, even though I've put in the proscribed amount, which I know will put it on the full mark. Plus it's so clear/clean, hard to read.

I'll basically make sure the oil somewhere between the marks. Then check a few days later, and it's always on the full mark then.

I suspect this might be the cause of dealership overfill: they don't have the luxury of letting the car go with oil level looking lowish. But it does seem to be some lag, before the level settles down in the sump.

 

This is true, and that is because the new oil takes a while to move from the cylinder head area down to the crankcase. I agree that checking the oil level immediately after doing an oil change will result in a reading somewhat below the actual oil level.

 

Fresh added oil seems worse though. I'd guess when you pour 4 plus litres into the valve cover area, some of it hangs up in there, 'till the car's had a decent drive.

Subsequently, say a week later, I can check oil soon after shut down, say within a minute, and it's as high as it's going to get. Well nearly.