Gen 3: Loud Noise at start up/ No Oil?

2012 Prius 3: Horrible Sound at Start Up, Dipstick Dry. ONLY Dash Light this week was Tire Pressure - Should I Add OIL or get it towed? Oil change is due in 1000 miles. Any Honest Prius mechanics near Oceanside CA?

137K miles original engine/hybrid system purchased as Certified Toyota at 60K, maintained at dealer with full synthetic. Love my car, afraid I may have broken it.

CoVid19 has dropped driving from approx 1200mi/mo to about 40 miles since 3/6/20. Noticed low tire pressure in Feb, aired up front driver tire, it went away. Then drove again twice last weekend noticed it again, didn't fill with air only drove 8 miles, then yesterday planned a grocery and gas station run for air, turned on car and within 2-3 seconds I heard an extremely LOUD noise from under hood sorta like clunkityclunk maybe even a high pitched whine (scrared me so bad I can't recall and I forgot to look at dash for any warning lights), I immediately turned off the engine, popped the hood, checked oil, dipstick was showing a little dirty oil smeared and a drop at end, but not much, i cleaned, re-dipped, and it was dry. No leaks under my car are evident, no smoke or smell was evident. I purchased a 5qt container of 0-20W synthetic but before I pour it in, I want to know if 2-5 seconds of that noise (engine running without oil) could ruin my engine? Should I fill with oil and try to turn it over? Would it be safe to drive? Should I tow it? If so, to whom?


Background:
Newbie to ask for Prius Chat advice, but often find great tips in past. I scoured the threads hoping to find insights, but I need personal advice today. Please be kind. I have tried to maintain my vehicle to the best of my financial ability. Pro Oil changes at dealer for 90% of oil changes since 2016 at Owners Manual intervals of 10K until it hit about 95K, then averaged closer to 5k intervals because oil consumption seemed to increase (lower dipstick levels at oil changes) Approx 120K miles I was told by Warranty Srvc & Dealer that "burning" (not leaking) 1 qt of oil every 1k-1500 mi was "acceptable" for age of my vehicle. I started to check my oil approx 1/mo and would find I was putting 1-3 qts in between each oil change depending on how many miles/heavy driving I did. I have never seen or smelled oil burning.

I'm on limited income, so I must be thrifty and wise with every penny.

 

Thank you for your quick responses. I will try filling oil tomorrow morning if that is the consensus. Last Oil Change was approx 3700 mi ago, and I have checked fairly regularly and have put 2 qts in during the interim. I plan on getting the oil changed as soon as a chk arrives. I looked up EGR and generic quotes are $500-800, much cheaper than switching out the block or buying a new car as suggested. I was just afraid to turn in back on, so I am grateful that there may be hope

 

Thanks for the encouragement!

I put in 2 qts of 0-20w Synthetic Oil, it showed up as 2/3 up between Low and MAX oil indention's on dipstick, closed it up crossed fingers, and she turned over like nothing had ever happened! Yay!

I made the mistake of not letting it run for more than a minute before shutting it off (awhile back I learned on PriusChat that this is not a good idea because it can create a rough start the next time it turns over) after a minute or so I restarted the engine, waited for engine to turn over and heard it shimmy mildly for about 2-3 seconds then smoothed out and sounded normal (NOT the same level of clunkity sound and shimmy intensity that I experienced 2 days ago). I turned off again after a few minutes, checked the oil, it leveled out at 2/3 to the MAX fill indention. Started again 3rd time, no shimmy, drove around the block about 5 minutes gradually getting up to 40mph, then checked dipstick again when I parked. Same levels, NO strange noises! Thank goodness!

I wonder if the super loud noise could have had anything to do with car sitting for a week/being driven so little? but, just glad it is gone (for now) will keep eye on everything much closer. And will save up for some of those cleaning/maintenance/repairs suggested (Unfortunately I am not a DIY'er for big things, I can replace bulbs and tires but leave it to more mechanically inclined to do anything that requires taking internal stuff apart

ANYONE know of a honest good mechanic near Oceanside, CA?