Another idiot who let the Low Oil Pressure warning appear

In my upper division classes, it was required to read 60-80 pages before each class session which prepared us for discussions and in-class assignments. Problem was I took 4 of those classes for 2 semesters, about 300 pages red a week. Reading the prius manual is like a stroll in the park.

 

In my upper division classes, it was required to read 60-80 pages before each class session which prepared us for discussions and in-class assignments. Problem was I took 4 of those classes for 2 semesters, about 300 pages red a week. Reading the prius manual is like a stroll in the park.

 

Still, Simone should rein in the lawyers, cut it down by about 50%.

My parents 58 Vdub Manual was UNDER a 100 pages, and it was practically a shop manual.

Yeah I know: the infotainment section alone takes about 300 pages.

 

I am one of these idiots too. I am going into service tomorrow. Mine appears to flash the light at about the service light time. Is there any "easy" way to see what damage (meaning where the oil is getting used.) Should I just sell it and move on? Need a little advice of what someone with more experience would do, if they get the low engine oil pressure light

 

If I got a momentary oil pressure light, I would check/refill the oil and monitor the engine for noise, oil level changes and any more low oil pressure indicators. If I ran it for a long time with a low oil pressure light, then I would expect engine damage.

 

Thank you!! I really appreciate the response. So it is time to get rid of it? Its a 2013 with 100,769 miles? Not the first time I have seen the Oil Pressure Light

 

If it just flashes occasionally, probably no harm yet.
What you should do is check the oil level every other gas fill or so and add as needed.
The old girl might have another 100K miles left in it.
Switching to "high mileage" slightly thicker oil might help too.
Looking for oil spots where you park might tell you something.

OR.....if you are just ready for a "new" car anyway, then trade it in.
And check the oil in your "new" car regularly.
Sometimes you can catch a $30 leak before it turns into a $3,000 engine failure.

 

@sam spade 2 , I'm suprised, you're amazingly subdued and diplomatic this morning.

 

Mistakes happen occasionally.

 

Thank you...I really appreciate the advice. Yeah I am torn, not ready to part with her just yet,but... dont want to nurse her for the rest of her life. Thank you.. I might ride it out for a lil while longer

 

Someone made to wineyards-- wine

 

1. I would keep the engine oil level at full and not allow the level to drop so low that the engine loses oil pressure.
2. However, assuming that I have to work with a vehicle that someone else abused, I would follow #1 above and note what is the current oil consumption rate.
3. If the oil consumption rate is not terrible (terrible would be more than 1 quart per 1,000 miles) then be happy you dodged a bullet. As previously suggested you can try a higher oil viscosity (5W-30 or 10W-30) which may further reduce the oil consumption rate in exchange for slightly impaired fuel economy.
4. If the oil consumption rate is terrible, then start making plans to get rid of the car or step up to repairing the engine.

 

Many ICE-powered aircraft as well as an old Packard I drove, and my 2002 Tundra, have both oil temperature and oil pressure gauges. I have also installed oil pressure gauges on several automobiles over the decades.
You have to carefully consider both temp and pressure gauges because oil thins out when it gets hotter, decreasing the effective viscosity and the resulting oil pressure. BUT, if you are at normal ICE operating temperature and the oil pressure is below minimum value, you risk bearing contact and complete engine failure, which is why when flying an aircraft you land at the next airport under those conditions.
To answer OP: a Scangauge II correctly programmed will give ICE coolant temp, and if that is in the 193-196 degrees Fahrenheit range, the ICE and its oil are at normal operating temperature. You need to have an oil pressure measurement at that temp at a specified rpm and compare that value to either specs from Toyota (if obtainable), or the test results from another similar Prius with no bearing damage. The extent to which your oil pressure results are lower than either the specs or the comparable Prius data will indicate the extent of your bearing damage, if any.
When I installed oil pressure gauges, I used the threaded hole where that low pressure light switch was located on the engine block and carefully screwed a T-fitting into it. Then you screw the oil pressure light sensor into one arm of the T, and the tap for compression fitting for a small tube into the other arm of the T. That small tube leads directly to the analog gauge in the cabin, which displays the oil pressure. I have not, however, done this mod to a Prius yet as ours is still under warranty.