Decided to check my oil today and noticed it was low. It took about 2 quarts to get it back between the H and L line. I'm not sure how long it has been like that since I got an oil change about 3500 miles ago(laziness in my part for not checking). I haven't noticed anything different but wondering if I might've caused any damage? Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

I dont think so - depends on how hard you drive your car though...

If you ran your car hard for an extended period of time like that....you may have some increased wear. Especially if you went down 2 qts in 3.5k miles....that suggests you enjoy Vtec


I'm sure you know already, but dont ever let it get that low again

 

your fine with being 2qts low.

 

If you cant notice anything wrong youll be fine. Usually the worse case scenario you will mess up your rod bearings and thatll cost a nice amount of money. Check it daily. I check every morning. Cant be too careful.

 

2 quarts low is "fine." You wouldn't cause damage. I've accidentally run the car down to 1.5 IN pan before, with no damage. After that, I check the oil everytime I start the car.

Since I got the Krankvents, my car doesn't eat a single drop.

 

Whether or not you are at risk depends on how you are driving. It's not the straight line dynamics that kill you... The pan is designed to "pool" the oil on the pickup during hard acceleration - so, that's no problem. Tearing up the twisties will get you, though - and even with less than 2 quarts down. This is due to the fact that your oil is plastered up on the side of the block - well away from the pick-up foot.

"Normal" town or freeway driving - you are most likely safe.


Sleeper

 

Thanks guys for the quick response. I figured I didn't cause any damage but just wanted the peace of mind. I haven't been driving hard, at least not twisties wise, but I do enjoy VTEC every now and then.

Again, thanks for the peace of mind guys.

 

no way to know for sure to be honest, its a good sign it doesn't make knocking or any noise.

most of the time you'll get motor damage is from taking a high G turn, all the oil is sticking to the wall and if you have little oil left, the pump is sucking in air. air have no lubrication properties(as well as cleaning, cooling, cushion and sealing like motor oil does)=bearing damage

sometime what you reading on the dipstick is faulty also, most people complaint about oil burn but how many people realize the oil level showing in the dipstick is not actually the accurate reading? after some use, motor oil will have moistures and other byproduct of combustion, let's say if you have 3k on the oil your dipstick read Full but actually some of the oil is already burned up. After a long drive on the hwy or high rpm spirited driving some of the water will be burn off and give you fault impression of massive oil burn.

good luck and hope your motor is fine

 

Thats why its best to check it in when the engine is cold. The side facing the driver side is usually more accurate, since the side facing the passenger side usually rubs up against the wall of the tube that the dipstick goes into.

 

i thought you're supposed to check when hot... well learn something new every day.