I have 2002 s2k with 173k miles. I use Mobile 1 and so I have been burning lots of oil.
busy schedule and long drive commutes everyday, now preparing for marriage, I have been slacking off with oil refills.
There had been times when I checked the dipstick, I barely had oil at the very tip of the stick.
There had been many times when I started hearing valve noise? and I would then be prompted to fill up the oil, usually couple of quarts and the noise disappears.

So far, my car has been running strong 173k miles and I'm trying to do my best to fill up as often as I can but my concern is, will my engine have any serious damages by now? should I be concerned? I need this car to run without any problems for at least until next year.
Thank you!

 

I would start by doing an oil change with a different brand of oil. Many AP1 owners (myself included on my 01) report rapid oil burning only when using mobil 1.

On to your question. Anytime you run a car low on oil, you are depleting its life so to speak. Unless you're hearing a knock, you are probably good for now, but running the car low on oil just shaves potential miles off of the car. Did you "damage" the engine? Yes. Severely? Probably not. Will you notice it anytime soon? Probably not.

It all really depends how low the oil got and how long / hard you drove it while it was low.

 

Leave Mobil uno try castrol edge, or Pennzoil platinum or high mileage

 

Castrol edge= 15,000 mile change interval... Amsoil signature series= 25,000 mile change interval. And both of them dont burn in my car when I burnt up alot of Mobil1. Sounds like the oils for you. I do mine about every 5,000 with thos but I drive 450 miles a week so if I dont have time to change the oil one weekend I dont sweat about putting it off till the next weekend...