Oil leak

What did the dipstick show prior to adding the quart?

Raise the front end and try to determine starting point. If hard to tell the source , wipe clean and check again after a bit more driving.

 

When was the last time you had oil and filter serviced?

 

How can you be sure that a) the fluid you saw was engine oil; and b) that it definitely came from your car?

 

To verify, this is right side as you sit in the car, aka the passenger side? Maybe oil pressure switch?

 

In some cases it might require the engine running to build oil pressure first. I would certainly check the oil drain plug and filter. I might take it to an oil change place or mechanic and have them pull the undercover completely off and do an inspection. Besides the drain plug and filter, some of these engines have leaks on the timing chain cover, timing chain tensioner or oil pressure switch, all on the passenger side on or near the timing chain cover.

 

As long as I've got the "book" open, if it does turn out to be the oil pressure switch:

 

Adhesive? Is that what the Japanese say instead of "threadlocker"?

 

Might be the same stuff they spec for PCV valve threads. I used this:

 

To me, that does not make sense. If the oil level was just under the bottom mark, then you were short of ~1.6-1.8 quarts. That is not enough to leave a trail that is 5 miles long. It also does not equate with the statement you made about no further oil loss.

Is it possible some other car was previously parked in the place where you parked your car? This is the reason I asked whether you were sure the oil came from your car. Maybe a car with an oil leak parked there before you did.

Anyway, I'm glad you noticed that your oil was low, that you topped up the oil, and that it no longer is "leaking" oil.

 

Going from memory: I click on message button at top of PriusChat page, then start new conversation, then type in user name, and it should auto-complete after a few letters. Give it a title and type message.

IIRC, it used to be an option by just clicking on members avatar, but that seems to be missing now.