Well maybe, but it was pretty mild,

 

Take off oil cap





Pour in quart of oil if low...





Check oil level...

 

This is a serious question, I have been a full quart low before and my oil light never came on at what point will the light come on for these cars in general, I'm sure most here have not let it get that low but what have you guys noticed?

 

 

No harm no foul

 

I would suggest the OP gets to know the basics of cars. Read the owners manual. Have a competent person show you how to check fluids and tire pressure and inspect hoses and belts. Learn how to maintain the exterior. Everyone should know the basics.

 

 

What! Some of you use a funnel!

 

Nothing is worse than a new owner walking off the lot in their new Honda Civic and coming back 2 years later wanting to know why their car broke down..... Because they never changed the oil and put 40k miles on the vehicle. Thickest goop you ever saw in your life in the pan. it was so thick it was like chewing gum. Idiot lights? What are those? she said.

That one's a true story. And nope, she was Brunette. Dads, teach your girls about basic car maintenance even if they choose never to do it themselves, they need to know.

To be fair, a lot of kids grow up without one or the other parents in their lives. Some grow up with extras. So its good to see that if someone is willing to learn and ask questions, people will answer. Not all of us are as lucky as others.


When I first met my wife she was surprised at how often her car needed an oil change. It had always been done for her. Now she takes it to a place I told her is good about 50% of the time. She understands the concept of various fluids and COULD change a tire (though actually, with her health issues, they would prevent her, but we have roadside anyway).

Her father was wealthy and always did it for her. Her 1st husband thought she was stupid, and so he did it for her. She has an IQ of 154, but some common-sense things slip past her at times. She's smart as hell, she just needed a chance to learn. She's also not street smart, but I am, and she is definitely street smarter than she was. Just sayin'

 

----OP....., There is one other thing to also 'consider' in regards to your low oil level issue not mentioned in other reply's. I had a situation were my car was showing 'low oil level' and upon reading the level on the dip stick it was right at or near full, I would add a little oil(1 pint,maybe) and it would sometimes go away and sometimes not. I found the problem to be a faulty oil level sensor in the pan. Not a expensive part and easy to access. After your next oil change check the oil level on the dip stick if the oil level warning comes back and note the location on the stick. As said by Forcedvert, it generally displays after the loss of 'more' than 1 quart and could be a sensitive or faulty sensor. Good luck !!.....
P.S. " The dumb question is the one not asked !! "...

 

I had a 2001 A4 convertible. My car would use oil also. I don't remember exactly now but I believe that I would have to add a 1/2 quart every 2,000 miles. The oil was changed every 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 5W30. I had a couple of C4's, a 2007 C6 and now a 2003 A4 50th anniversary convertible. None of those cars used any oil. Checked them at 5,000 miles before the oil change and the oil was always at the top hatch mark on the dip stick.

 

THANK YOU.

Forcedevert, I have to disagree. I personally felt Chassed and Vanover made some unnecessary assumptions and remarks, however, I was fully aware some trolls would decide to pop in to the thread. I did think the chick throwing oil all over her engine was pretty funny though. Lol

With pictures and everything, you are the best. To be completely honest I got it done before seeing your post, but seriously major kudos for that much help haha

I would suggest JR-01 should avoid making assumptions about people based on one question they have. Have a competent person help you understand what the results are when you assume things. Spell it out. See what it makes out of you and me. Everyone should know not to assume things.


THANK YOU. I sincerely appreciate this anecdote.


Thank you for the tip. I think the car is correct though, I was definitely low on oil, wasn't making it very close to the beginning of the hashed area on the dip stick. Added around 1/2 quart to 3/4 quart oil and got close to the top hash mark. I think everything's good now. Also thought the same thing about dumb questions, which is why I still asked even though I knew some people would come in to the thread assuming my IQ is sub 50.


Hmmm... I wonder why mine is using oil then if your 2003 isn't and others are reporting their C5's are not using oil.... I don't really think I have much to worry about though, and it's so cheap to add the oil it doesn't really bother me.

 

 

I was just giving some good advice. If a person doesn't even know how to add and check their oil, they really should learn. Knowledge is a good thing and there is a lot of it in the owners manual.

 

You made an assumption that I was unaware of several basic pieces of information under the umbrella topic of Car Care and Maintenance because I asked a question about one basic piece of information. You also made a remark that I should have a competent person show me a few things, implying I myself am not competent. Both of which were unnecessary.

 

You are right. I just assumed you were not competent because you did not know where to add oil. Sorry.
When I told you to have a competent person show you a few things, I just meant somebody that knows about cars. It would be a good thing.

 

Well I see now your comment was made with good intentions, not to be a troll or insulting, and I appreciate that as well as your apology. Thanks JR.

 

1 you said you go to the shop to have oil added.
2 you asked where do I add the oil.
3 down the pipe where the dip stick sits?.
None of the questions you asked said you had any idea of how to add oil.
All I said is go to the auto parts store and ask for help.