emergency oil issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
emergency oil issue
O.K. Here goes. :o Took my newly purchased 2000 Vert for a spin and a nice meal with the missus. Drove about 20 miles. When we left the restaurant, the low oil level message came on. I stopped at the first service station I found (2 miles away) and checked oil. Sure enough, it was nearly a quart low. So, I dutifully went in to purchase a quart of 5W30 synthetic oil. But, all they had was Brand X regular oil and Castrol GTX 10W30. Neither were synthetic. Rather than risk running any further with low oil level, I added a quart of Castrol into the engine and drove home. The low oil level message seemed to become intermittent...only comes on at low RPMs. But, it does still come on despite the addition of more oil.
Query - what does adding a quart of non-synthetic oil do to my motor? I reasoned that it was better than doing nothing. Am I correct in assuming I need an oil change ASAP since I have mixed the types of oil? Any ideas on why the low oil level light is still on?
LT
Query - what does adding a quart of non-synthetic oil do to my motor? I reasoned that it was better than doing nothing. Am I correct in assuming I need an oil change ASAP since I have mixed the types of oil? Any ideas on why the low oil level light is still on?
LT
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
I would change the oil. If you just purchased the car, absent proof positive of the last time the oil was changed, I would change it anyway. If it was just changed by someone not knowledgeable, they may have only put in 5 quarts of oil instead of 6 1/2.
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
I would change the oil. If you just purchased the car, absent proof positive of the last time the oil was changed, I would change it anyway. If it was just changed by someone not knowledgeable, they may have only put in 5 quarts of oil instead of 6 1/2.
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
You need an oil change and new filter
and if you jack up the back end for an hour it will probably take close to 7 quarts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 0
From: Worden Illinois
I would change the oil. If you just purchased the car, absent proof positive of the last time the oil was changed, I would change it anyway. If it was just changed by someone not knowledgeable, they may have only put in 5 quarts of oil instead of 6 1/2.
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
It's time to change the oil. Filter too.
Charlie
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Had the same problem. Had a 1/2 quart left and topped it off. Don't think that the dealer topped it off with 6.5 the low oil warning will come on for 10 engine cycles then disappear or so it is written somewhere in the forum. Mixing oil? I'd get it outa there.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
As an FYI, mixing conventional and synthetic oils will not cause an exothermic reaction and melt down your engine. In fact, synthetic "blends" are just that - a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. Therefore, don't panic about this. Your engine is just fine; changing its oil a little bit early is all you need to do.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Colorado
St. Jude Donor '16 thru '26
As an FYI, mixing conventional and synthetic oils will not cause an exothermic reaction and melt down your engine. In fact, synthetic "blends" are just that - a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. Therefore, don't panic about this. Your engine is just fine; changing its oil a little bit early is all you need to do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,900
Likes: 1,842
From: Hot Springs AR
As an FYI, mixing conventional and synthetic oils will not cause an exothermic reaction and melt down your engine. In fact, synthetic "blends" are just that - a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. Therefore, don't panic about this. Your engine is just fine; changing its oil a little bit early is all you need to do.
Ditto. Before you let anyone change your oil make sure they know what they're doing!Have a good one,
Mike
