Ive had my S for about 2 months now (used)- and its been some time since I last checked my oil level- I didnt realize that it would drink so much oil- and when I looked at it this week it was maybe a half (or more) quarts below the "low" mark on the dipstick (taking into account that the space from the "low" to the "high" mark is about 1 quart). The low oil pressure light never came on. I only drove it mayeb 5-6 times in the last month.
I just changed and refilled my oil yesterday- and it seems to be running quietlly and smoothly.

What are the chances any dammage occured, and if so, what would have been dammaged? How would I be able to tell if anything was hurt?

Thanks for any input.

 

You should be ok. The oil light only comes on AFTER you have screwed up the engine. Lesson learned, check oil at every gas-up to be safe.

 

Your fine just be sure to check that oil when you fill up. Take 3 minutes and then you know your safe or if you need some.

 

Am I correct in imagining that any dammage from low oil would materialize in valve dammage, main bearing dammage, and a knock?

 

thanks a ton for the help by the way!!

 

You'll be fine. If you still had oil on the dip stick that means you're a little low but nothing to worry about.

 

Hey guys. I just bought my 2001 (95,000 miles) yesterday and when I drove it home I ripped on it a little bit. Well at the dealership I bought it from, I checked over the car, checked for oil leaks and all that jazz but never even thought to check the oil. I guess in my mind i was thinking "who just doesnt have oil in the engine?" Well this morning I decided to check it just for giggles, and the mofo was BONE DRY!!! There was a little oil on the very tip of the dipstick! I'm pretty scared now. How many quarts do you think I have at that dipstick reading, and how screwed do you think I am???

 

you would know if you ran it out of oil. bad things start to happen really really fast.

from the bottom line (add) to the full line is 1 quart. (1 L) so, if you are below the add line, you can safely put in a full 1L bottle and not worry about overfilling.

put in one bottle, and see where you are at. Keep it somewhere between add and full, and DO NOT OVERFILL.

 

Lopro - take that back! Thats ridiculous to sell a car in that condition.


I had the same thing happen...maybe 6 years ago when i was buying a car the cel came on and off. The salesman just said it was probably a sensor (o2) or something. He gave me the car for a few hours so I took it back to my dads shop and gave it a once over....checked the oil...almost nothing! I put some random oil I had laying around in there, i think it took almost 3 qts on whats supposed to be a 4qt fill.


Took it back and asked.. "nice car...has this been through a service yet"

salesman said "You bet, all our used cars are given a xx point inspection, oil change, fluids topped off, tires/brakes/etc checked.."

When I told him it had no oil in it he didnt really know what to say...


I ALWAYS check coolant/engine and tranny oil, and other very basic things...

 

You're fine. It's definitely not "bone dry", there's probably close to 4 quarts in there. Top it off and commence rippin on it. Remember to check it every fillup, s2ks drink oil.