Warning light mystery???

Have you checked engine oil level recently? If not, do it right now. Sloshing low oil level is known to trigger a momentary warning, but only when the oil is already dangerously low.

 

Low brake fluid level, same indication.

 

Too much oil is not good either.

 

The dipstick can be really hard to read: oil smears along the edges, it's hard to tell where it actually stops.

Do multiple checks, flip it over, sometimes one side is more distinct than the other. View it in good light, if you're longsighted use your reading glasses.

If it does turn out to be overfilled, anything up to 1/2" you can live with. But more than that it'd be good to drain some off. Dealership could do that for maybe 1/2 the cost of an oil change. Or just cave and get an early change.

 

Overfilled oil can get in the egr system and get into the throttle body.

You can let some oil out by loosening the oil pan drain bolt. But make sure it's really overfilled.

 

I find the face of the dipstick towards the front of vehicle is slightly easier to read. Also, try pushing it in just to the plastic handle start, to see the shift: that'll help to show what it is you're looking for.

If you decide to drain a bit of oil yourself, get a graduate (anything will do, even a pickle jar with rough measurements), loosen the drain bolt, JUST to the point of it almost coming off. Then tilt it slightly, and keep pressure on it, get a thin stream going. Don't even think about removing it completely for a second or two, lol.

 

It just means you haven't been spending excessive amounts of time on PriusChat, as some others do. You are not the first or second person to ask about this in the past few months.

 

The suggestion of getting an oil change is a good one. Then you can start off with the right amount (check!) and keep track of where it goes from there.

 

It probably is important to get the car running to have things even out but then shut it off and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle back into the pan.

Make sure you are parked on a level surface.

And wait at least a few minutes between pulling the dipstick or the oil gets pulled up onto the tube walls and you won't get a clean measurement.

 

I've had my oil changes done at the dealer, and it's been overfilled many times. So many times, that I've installed a Fumoto valve in place of the drain bolt so I can easily drain off oil to proper level.

 

I think you should persevere, practice reading the dipstick. It's no small feat, and doesn't get any easier. Again: the level is slightly clearer on the front face. For practice, try not pushing the dipstick completely in, stop at the plastic handle. This'll shift the level down, and that in turn makes it clearer what you're looking for. It's a zone where the oil starts covering the complete width of the blade. And it's subtle as heck on the Prius, never had this issue with our Hondas. Never got this mpg either, tho.

 

how many miles on her, and at what mileage was your last oil change. something is not right.

 

exactly: Trouble Light Indication when changing lanes or turning quickly | PriusChat

 

in addition, please vote here: oil consumption vs length of oil change interval | PriusChat