Drove over 3k miles with only 4 quart of oil how bad is it

[jiffyjhn]

Normally I'm pretty good with topping up oil between oil changes, but got busy with work, didn't change oil for about 8 months with about 8k miles since last change.
Today when I changed the oil and dip stick didn't even get any oil. only got 4 quarts of oil out of it. Though the oil looked light brown and not black at all.
I estimate I probably drove about 3-4k miles with oil well below the dipstick low level. I drive the car pretty hard. How bad is it?
It's a 2013 frs with about 50k miles

[wbradley]

Originally Posted by jiffyjhn

Today when I changed the oil and dip stick didn't even get any oil. only got 4 quarts of oil out of it. Though the oil looked light brown and not black at all.
I estimate I probably drove about 3-4k miles with oil well below the dipstick low level. I drive the car pretty hard. How bad is it?

That's a low mileage example! I thought mine was pretty low at 84K km but it sounds like yours is around the same.
We cant tell you if you damaged your motor by neglecting to maintain a minimal oil level, but Im pretty sure that if you caused any problem, your engine will tell you. Or more likely, accelerated wear and living on the edge will b to the detriment of the next owner who will have no clue until the engine starts making noises or other issues. The car is your property and you can do that if you want to, but I doubt you would tell this to the next owner, would you? THAT, I have issues with.

TL;DR. Good work! Extreme neglect with anything can only lead to bad things, but don't worry.

[22R]

With 4 quarts in it I doubt you hurt anything.....just don't keep doing it.

22R

[LancePower]

I assume these have a low-oil warning light.

At what level does that come on?

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by LancePower

I assume these have a low-oil warning light.

At what level does that come on?

Only when pressure is far too low. If you're driving and it comes on, you're probably already past the point of no return

[Sapphireho]

I would be more worried about why you're burning/losing so much oil in 8k miles.

[removedonut]

Originally Posted by LancePower

I assume these have a low-oil warning light.

At what level does that come on?

lol no.

you will get a low oil pressure light when your engine no longer has oil in it and oil pressure falls to zero though.

[LancePower]

Intriguing. What's the point of even having a warning light then?

[Ultramaroon]

These things should come with instructions for their owners. They could be called Owner's Manuals.

[wbradley]

Considering these cars take 5.4 L of oil, only draining 4 L means you're 25% low. Again, if you don't give a shit that's great, but would you have the ethics to not resell the car without disclosure of such things? Likely not. So, your carelessness might be to the detriment of the next owner.. People do dumb careless shit.

I'm especially dumbfounded when it's an enthusiast that visits this site, who usually would care more not less.

[jiffyjhn]

Originally Posted by wbradley

but I doubt you would tell this to the next owner, would you? THAT, I have issues with

nah I don't think I'll ever sell this. Especially if I can find a good AE86 to buy. Tryin to get all 3 generations .

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by wbradley

I'm especially dumbfounded when it's an enthusiast that visits this site.

Years ago, a friend pulled into my driveway with a horrible knock. Spun rod bearing. She admitted that she thought the oil light was for when it was time to add a quart.

She had been driving her Tercel like that for at least a year before it died.

She also made a little shrine for her crankshaft. Called it Ode To Oil.

[jiffyjhn]

Originally Posted by wbradley

People do dumb careless shit.

I'm especially dumbfounded when it's an enthusiast that visits this site, who usually would care more not less.

When work demands I pull 70 hour weeks. The enthusiast in me takes a back seat.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by jiffyjhn

When work demands I pull 70 hour weeks. The enthusiast in me takes a back seat.

Machines don't care about excuses. Live & learn.