Hi, just need a quick advice. I checked my engine oil dipstick today, and the oil mark is very close to the lower dipstick hole. It's only been approx. 4000 miles since the last oil change, and there are signs of oil leaks in my garage floor. I did icebox and 3 sets UR pulley install last week, but i don't think that has to do anything with the level of oil. (I use Mobil 1 5W-20 synthetic w/ mobil1 filter).

Anybody has this happen to them?.... will it be bad to run the engine with oil at that level for a couple days before i bring it to the dealer for an oil change sometime next week?

Any advise would be appreciated

 

fill it to the proper level and watch it over the next few weeks and see what happens. A lot of places do not add enough oil to bring the car to the "full" mark

 

I would suggest to fill it up in the meantime, it should only be about 1/2 a quart low

 

thanks for the advise, but i have a really dumb question here, since i've never changed my own oil.

Is there a mark to show me when to stop pouring oil into the oil filler on top of the engine, or do i just have to do trial and error, and check the dipstick ?

Thanks again

 

On most cars when you hit the "add" mark it's a quart low. If you are half way down add half a quart.

If you are still in the OK range you should be allright until you get to the dealer. Might mention the leak to them so they can look around while it's on the lift.

 

you just add and then check the dipstick

 

Thanks,
I've added a little oil (from what i have leftover). So, it's still toward the lower hole of the dipstick. So, hopefully this is fine to drive to work tommorow

 

4.5 quarts of oil is recommended

 

There should be 2 holes on the dipstick. The distance between the lower hole and the upper hole is one quart. The upper hole is where your oil level should be. If you drove 4000 miles and are down a quart that is not necessarily abnormal. If you are leaking oil you will have to look under the car and see where you are leaking oil. But the Honda dealership told me years ago that Honda says it's acceptable to use a quart of oil every 1000 miles. How true that is; I don't know. Driving around a quart low isn't the end of the world. You'll be fine.

 

my car is almost 6 years old 55K miles, and burns virtually zero oil. I go 6-7K miles between oil changes, and oil level remains constant.
On the other hand, my wife 2000 Accord has (45K miles) requires 1/2 qt every 3000-4000 miles. Thats not bad, but intresting. both cars using Mobil 1 synthetic from the begining....

 

I change my oil every 1500 miles since its mostly city driving and since i work at jiffy lube all my synthetic oil changes are free, so im never low on oil but its not abnormal to be a little low

 

I would top it off. You really shouldn't be burning oil. If you're leaking, get under and take a look.

Seems like a bit of over kill. But free oil is always a good deal.

 

While the engine burning a little oil is acceptable, the signs of an oil leak are not. Do a search for rear engine seal, it maybe your problem. Here is a thread:

post

 

Thanks all,

I'm pretty sure there are no leaks anywhere, since i always park my car in the garage (both at home and at work). If there is a leak, there should be a puddle of oil somewhere on the garage floor. I'll just top it off, and have the dealer do a quick check.

Thanks again.