Another idiot who let the Low Oil Pressure warning appear

Maybe the engine is damaged. Maybe you are lucky and it will survive that incident.

You might do an engine compression check to see whether there is damage to the cylinder bores and piston rings; or to the valves/valve seats. A compression check is the standard way to see whether the engine is in decent mechanical condition.

This requires using Toyota Techstream (Mini VCI) software to spin the engine for the compression check, and a compression gauge to screw into the spark plug holes after the plugs have been removed.

The spec is 118 psi; minimum is 90 psi; no more than 15 psi variation across cylinder readings. If you find that the readings are low, put a little engine oil into the spark plugs, then try the test again. If the readings improve that shows the cylinders/piston rings have a problem. If the readings do not improve then the valves/valve seats are the problem area.

This test does not ascertain whether there is bearing damage, for example piston connecting rod bearings, but such damage will make itself known via knocking noises in the case of the connecting rod bearings. If you see metal specks in the drained engine oil that is also indicative of excessive bearing wear.

 

For now: just continue to drive it, and regularly monitor the oil level.

 

Check daily for a while...until you determine the status.

 

THIS. Don't over-react.
If serious damage has been done it should be pretty obvious fairly soon.
I don't think you should plan any "road trips" for a few months.

 

Do NOT put heavier oil in the engine, that would just be adding insult to injury! I agree with not overreacting...those Toyota 1.8 engines have been known to be as close to indestructible as possible! (My son-in-law put almost 300,000 on his 02 Corolla) Plus, the engines in the hybrid only work half as hard as a non-hybrid, that's why we only need to change the oil every 10,000 miles instead of 5,000 (I've tested mine, and it wasn't even starting to get dirty until she was around 9,000 miles.)
My original thought was, "Why was it low on oil?" Have you had a mechanic check all the seals on the engine? Make sure you run a bottle of injector cleaner in your engine periodically. (I've always use Lucas in my vehicles.)

 

You mean besides the fact that he never checked it ?

IF it is becoming an "oil burner", there is nothing wrong with upping the viscosity a bit.

 

Then what is the point of doing a compression test?

Low/no oil will wipe out the bearings first and a compression test will not provide you with any relevant information for this issue.

 

If it makes the OP feel any better...
Sure, you should always check your oil level periodically....and know where it is at.

But also?
Look at all the wonderful things a Prius can do, as a result of engineering and design. You'd think a system could be made, that automatically gave better warning of oil level. -I think this exists on some vehicles already.
I mean if damage is done, by the time you see the warning...IMO...that's not really so much a warning, as it is a notification that you are already in trouble.
Despite the fact that WE should take responsibility for knowing ourselves, that still makes the whole warning light, somewhat useless and almost mocking in it's appearance.

Given the importance of Oil to the life of the engine, you'd think a more comprehensive and informative system could be put in place. Something that allowed you to know your Oil Level, BEFORE it becomes an irreversible damaging creating problem.

 

Excessive noise will reveal the presence of damaged bearings. Metal flakes in the oil also is indicative of that.

The purpose of the compression test is to provide a quantitative assessment of the four cylinders’ ability to produce adequate compression.

 

^ I like Patrick Wong’s answer best.

It would be good to witness the next oil drain- maybe even retain a sample for lab analysis. The real answer is going to be any new character to the sounds made by the engine. Lots of engines can withstand a quick low pressure event- and a sharp turn usually means low or no throttle, which is the best of circumstances for a low pressure event.

You’re either going to start hearing a knock or you aren’t. If you do hear it, then you’ve already solved the mystery of how it began, and you’ll want to line up your next engine soon. If you don’t hear it, you’ve dodged a bullet. Dipstick vigilance.

 

Depending on how many miles you drive, checking the oil once a week should be safe.
When it's cold after sitting overnight, on level ground of course.
Should be able to get true level since the oil has had plenty of time to drain into the oil pan.
Then you can see if you are burning oil, and how much.

 

Have people forgotten how to open the hood and check things, and look underneath the car at the same time? Oil level, other fluids, leaks, general conditions, etc. This should be part of the routine of owning a vehicle. An old saying - "you get what inspect, not what you expect".

 

I agree with this.
But, I've hung around enough automotive sites long enough, to say, unfortunately people don't always do this.
Cars have warning systems for other items that arguably we could rather easily check on our own. TPMS for example.
Seems to me most automotive Oil Pressure warning lights, are primarily catastrophic failure warnings.
Why not design a system that allows someone maybe NOT very mechanically inclined, those that rarely do open their hoods, a more comprehensive idea of what their oil level is?
I know, even though I do check my oil, I'd appreciate such a system. Given the nearly clear color of most synthetic oils, and IMO the sometimes crappy design of some dipsticks, I'd appreciate the back-up. And for others? If it saves an engine or major repair? I'm sure it would be worth it to them too.

 

The more "features" you add, the less likely the car will ever get a good once-over. You can't add enought lights or features to make the car completely self monitoring. First TPMS - the tires never get looked at until they are bald. Then oil level sensors - why open the hood until one day no blue fluid comes out of the windshield squirter.

Commercial jet aircraft, for example, are chock full of monitoring systems, but before each flight a pilot actually walks the aircraft down looking for obvious problems.

 

Yes.

 

Parents don't teach the kids. Because they weren't taught. It's become a lazy society. Sadly.
I never fixed my kids cars, I "helped" them fix it.
Warning light have their place. You could have checked your oil and water level this morning, and have a light come
on heading to work. A seal fails, a hose fails, it happens. Usually when the oil light comes on, it means you just
fried your bearings!

 

Yes, im with mendel on this one. Perhaps entitled not to check. Take a look at my signature, the second to last & very last quote.