Car question

[dakcp2001]

Is it ok to drive with the low engine oil light on? It is 730 pm, so no mechanic is open, and it is pitch black in my driveway. I tried unsuccessfully to juggle the flashlight and try to check the oil, I will check in the morning to see how low it is. Of course, once I see where the oil level is, it will mean nothing to me, unless it is above the ok level or empty.

Problem is, I have class tomorrow at 8 am, so again well before anyplace would be open so do you think it is ok to drive to class, then take it in after? Or it is taking a major chance of ruining my already POS car that I cannot afford to replace right now?


It is moments like these I wish my daddy lived closer!

BTW me and my friend have been wracking our brains here trying to think of one gas station near me that offers full service. I miss those too.

 

[Acklander]

Can't you pick up some oil at Walmart or something???

 

[glitterkittyy]

It's not good to drive with the low oil light on. If you can, have a friend or loved one take you to a store (even dollar stores have oil) and buy a couple of quarts. If the low oil light is on, you're probably at least 2 quarts low. Then take it in for a checkup even if the light goes off after you pour in the oil.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I believe the oil light is for low oil pressure, which can be caused by low oil volume. but it can also be caused by a bad oil pump or from bad oil seals..

if your car is full of oil and the light is still on, then adding more oil should not help. In fact sometimes it can be bad...

when was the last oil change? if the oil is very old then it can get very thin, kind of watery, which can cause a low oil pressure reading as well.

hope that helps some,
Mikeeee

 

[dakcp2001]

I checked it, it is super low, and really icky/dirty. I went to the parts store and bought 2 quarts of Shell brand, there were a million kinds anhd the guy working at the counter said it didn't matter what kind, but some said 30 and some said 40 I do not know what that means. I am going to add some oil just to get to class tomorrow, then I am going to bring it in to have it looked at. I had a problem with my EGR valve about a month ago, it was getting stuck open, so I am guessing that may be causing my car to burn oil? Guess I will find out tomorrow!

Thank you for those of you that tried to help! Car problems cause a panic like none other for me/.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I checked it, it is super low, and really icky/dirty. I went to the parts store and bought 2 quarts of Shell brand, there were a million kinds anhd the guy working at the counter said it didn't matter what kind, but some said 30 and some said 40 I do not know what that means. I am going to add some oil just to get to class tomorrow, then I am going to bring it in to have it looked at. I had a problem with my EGR valve about a month ago, it was getting stuck open, so I am guessing that may be causing my car to burn oil? Guess I will find out tomorrow!

Thank you for those of you that tried to help! Car problems cause a panic like none other for me/.

That is good news! It may just need an oil change. if it is a really old car, you may not want to bother with a flush of the oil system. just get an oil change.

30 weight oil is a little thinner for more cold regions. 40 is for warmer weather... generally.
EGR valve= Exhaust Gas Recovery. I think it helps with emissions or somehting. hold it in your hand and shake it. if it rattles like the ball in an empty spray paint can it should be good. if nothing inside moves or rattles it is stuck, either open or closed. it should not be an expensive part. I have not changed one in years, but I am guessing less than $10 plus labor of about 7 minutes (for the location in most cars)

check your oil every two or three fill-ups!

Mikeeee

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

I checked it, it is super low, and really icky/dirty. I went to the parts store and bought 2 quarts of Shell brand, there were a million kinds anhd the guy working at the counter said it didn't matter what kind, but some said 30 and some said 40 I do not know what that means. I am going to add some oil just to get to class tomorrow, then I am going to bring it in to have it looked at. I had a problem with my EGR valve about a month ago, it was getting stuck open, so I am guessing that may be causing my car to burn oil? Guess I will find out tomorrow!

Thank you for those of you that tried to help! Car problems cause a panic like none other for me/.

The good news is that an EGR valve would not cause excessive oil consumption. However, an old PCV valve would, and it's only a couple bucks.

Some cars have two oil sensors, one for oil pressure, and another for low oil level. If you have pressure, but your low level light is on, simply add oil to the normal range on the dipstick. As PP said, if the low oil light is on, one quart usually won't cut it. You'll probably need two.

Monitor your oil level often, and change your oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles.

You don't indicate where you live, but if it's up north, stay away from 5W-30 or 5W-40 in the wintertime. The 5W oils stay a little too thick when the temp hovers around zero. Use 10W30 or 10W40 for colder areas. 5W is okay if you live in the south. If you already mixed in 5W oil, don't worry about it too much. Just replace it at your next oil change.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would just buy some oil somewhere (grocery stores, CVS like places and gas stations will all have it) and put it in until you can get the car to a shop later in the day. Check the owners manual but for my cars I just pour it into the same spot as where I pull out the gauge and when it reads full, I stop pouring. In the future, keep a extra bottle of oil in the trunk of your car and some antifreeze mixed with the right amount of water, and windshield fluid.... at least that's what I always did. If it's been a while since your last oil change it could just be plain old low, do you have a receipt or a record somewhere? No sense in paying for a bunch of work unless either you've had the oil recently changed and KNOW it shouldn't be low or see evidence of a leak such as drippings or repeated emptying. We had a beater car we almost never drove and it would dry out in the heat and cold all the time and all it needed was new oil every so often. You can usually see if there is a leak by placing newspaper under your parked car for a while after filling it, if there is a leak you'll probably, but not always, see the oil under it. If you always park in the same spot check the pavement for drips. But no matter what, if there is a leak you would know soon enough because you'll discover the light going off over & over again. Just once probably is more about neglect than trouble but letting it go could wreck your engine so keep an eye on it.

 

[manning]

That is good news! It may just need an oil change. if it is a really old car, you may not want to bother with a flush of the oil system. just get an oil change.

30 weight oil is a little thinner for more cold regions. 40 is for warmer weather... generally.
EGR valve= Exhaust Gas Recovery. I think it helps with emissions or somehting. hold it in your hand and shake it. if it rattles like the ball in an empty spray paint can it should be good. if nothing inside moves or rattles it is stuck, either open or closed. it should not be an expensive part. I have not changed one in years, but I am guessing less than $10 plus labor of about 7 minutes (for the location in most cars)

check your oil every two or three fill-ups!

Mikeeee

I believe you are thinking of the PCV valve. The EGR valve is something else.

 

[dakcp2001]

I brought my car to the Dealership, got an estimate for a few thousand dollars and a million repairs, then took it to another place and they replaced the EGR valve & spark plugs. It was almost 700 dollars, Ouch. It was better then the 2K at the dealership, but the part alone is about 200, then the labor is added in. There were some other parts that had something to do with the fuel injection system that were added in too. I feel like I am just at their whim, it is so frustrating.

I always leave the mechanic and the vet feeling like I have been taken for a ride.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

I brought my car to the Dealership, got an estimate for a few thousand dollars and a million repairs, then took it to another place and they replaced the EGR valve & spark plugs. It was almost 700 dollars, Ouch. It was better then the 2K at the dealership, but the part alone is about 200, then the labor is added in. There were some other parts that had something to do with the fuel injection system that were added in too. I feel like I am just at their whim, it is so frustrating.

I always leave the mechanic and the vet feeling like I have been taken for a ride.

At $700 for parts that are unrelated to your low oil warning light, you were taken.

1. What year and make car is it?
2. How many miles are on your car?
3. What problem did you describe when you took the car in?
4. Is (was) your check engine light on?
5. What state do you live in (do you have emissions laws in your area) ?
6. What were the 'other parts'?

At this point, I am just trying to determine by how much you may have been taken. Too often, mechanics (dealers being the worst) will recommend repairing everything remotely worn or defective on a car, because that's where their money is made. Mechanics will recommend replacing everything for three main reasons:

• They're not paying for it.
• They haven't spent the time to troubleshoot what is really wrong.
• Outright dishonesty or incompetence.

You have to prioritize your repairs, to minimize the impact to your wallet. Safety and drivetrain come first. But for older cars that are nearing the end of their life, many repairs would be extraneous and a waste of money IMO.

There are many car people on this board. We can help you prioritize any repairs that are still needed. Some of those, you could even do yourself.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I have had maybe... 5 new cars, all different dealers, and have yet to find a service department that has not blatently lied to me!!!

Everything from charging me for work they did not do to denying that an obvious mechanical failure existed.

Mikeeee

 

[dakcp2001]

My check engine light was on a few weeks ago, and I went to Autozone to use the code reader, it said the EGR valve was sticking in the open position. After it went off, I was waiting to see if it would come back on. It did not, BUT the low engine oil light did.

The dealership said I needed a new head gasket, a new 02 sensor, a new EGR valve, fuel cleaning service and something else, I forget what. They also gave me the "we want you to be safe" and "it is too dangerous to drive it without fixing all of these serious issues" sales pitch. I got out of there fast.


The other place that actually fixed it said they could find no reason for the oil to be low other then having gone quite a bit since my last oil change ( I usually change it every 3K but it has been almost 6 ) but that there was clearly a problem with the EGR valve. This place said there was nothing wrong with my 02 sensor or head gasket and told me I can buy a bottle of fuel cleaner at the store.

It is a 2002 Monte Carlo SS about 80K miles.

 

[dakcp2001]

I have had maybe... 5 new cars, all different dealers, and have yet to find a service department that has not blatently lied to me!!!

Everything from charging me for work they did not do to denying that an obvious mechanical failure existed.

Mikeeee

I often wonder if it is evilness or incompetance. I have heard some actually work on commision, I know a particular BMW dealership that does. The more they get you to repair the more they make in bonus at the end of the month.

 

[dakcp2001]

There are many car people on this board. We can help you prioritize any repairs that are still needed. Some of those, you could even do yourself.

Haha then I would DEF need a new car! I would not trust myself lol. Its a 2002 Chevy, about 80K, Monte Carlo SS

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Haha then I would DEF need a new car! I would not trust myself lol. Its a 2002 Chevy, about 80K, Monte Carlo SS

Ouch.

Your 3.8L V6 has an electronically controlled EGR valve, which costs in the neighborhood of $150. Its location on the top of the engine means only 1 or at the most 2 hours labor.

Was your check engine light on? That is literally the only way to know if this type of egr valve is going bad. It's a commonly replaced part of your emissions system. But, it has absolutely nothing to do with excessive oil consumption.

 

[cosine4]

No need for a new car if you aren't ready for one anyway.

The EGR valve may actually be the cause of the low oil, especially if it has been some time (over due) since the last oil change. EGR valves are very bad for your engine, but required for environmental reasons. The exhaust gas is recycled back through the combustion chamber, this includes all of the particulates that are in the exhaust. These particulates and the exhaust gas is then "re-burned" with the regular combustion cycle. All of these particulates are then contaminating the cylinder and causing excess friction in the cylinder and piston. If the the EGR valve is stuck open, then it is always recycling causing even more particulates to be induced into your engine. This will cause excess friction (as well as a poor air/fuel mixture which will cause additional particulates) and the oil that is being used to lubricate the cylinder will be at a higher temperature than it is designed for. This will cause the oil to break down faster than normal and possibly burn off. This is also very bad for you fuel economy with possible long term effects.

If the dealership is just plugging it into their computer the EGR valve may actually be causing readings that may appear to be caused by the O2 sensor and head gasket.

Fuel cleaning service is worthless. Buy a bottle of injector cleaner and pour it in the gas tank yourself.

Something you may consider is switching to a synthetic oil. It is a little bit more expensive but it doesn't break down as easily and the particulates do not attach to it as easily as standard oil. I use the Penzoil "Full Syntheic" which is only about $6 more for a 5 quart jug at Wal-Mart.