When the low oil light comes on, how low is the oil. I know that our cars hold 5.5 quarts. I would guess it is about 2 quarts low but I don't know, help me out here guys.
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LOW OIL light! Help
- Thread starter 69clark
- Start date
SeventyMach1
Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep
Tom might have a different pan, a cooler, etc, requiring more than the stock 5 quarts. 
The light is indeed for a low level. I've always meant to see how low one needs to go to have it light up. I wanna say it comes on when there's 3.5 quarts left, but I don't know where I got that figure (I really have no idea - sometimes I have an idea but don't recall exact sources. This time I really have no clue).
The light is indeed for a low level. I've always meant to see how low one needs to go to have it light up. I wanna say it comes on when there's 3.5 quarts left, but I don't know where I got that figure (I really have no idea - sometimes I have an idea but don't recall exact sources. This time I really have no clue).
Labora
Founding Member
HISSIN50 said:Tom might have a different pan, a cooler, etc, requiring more than the stock 5 quarts.
The light is indeed for a low level. I've always meant to see how low one needs to go to have it light up. I wanna say it comes on when there's 3.5 quarts left, but I don't know where I got that figure (I really have no idea - sometimes I have an idea but don't recall exact sources. This time I really have no clue).
I've heard 1.5 quarts low (1.5+3.5=5=Full) same as you, thou I have no REAL source so not 100% sure.
94-302-vert
Active Member
Well I can tell you that my car goes through about 1 quart every 3k miles. One time I forgot to put my extra half quart in at 1500 miles so I would be OK (still in the good zone) for the entire 3k miles and the light came on when I was picking up my filter to change the oil.
So I am going to say it happens at 4 qt (one quart low, or half quart below the low line on the dipstick).
So I am going to say it happens at 4 qt (one quart low, or half quart below the low line on the dipstick).
87_GT
Member
Well, its a long story but on my way back from Atco I stopped at a rest stop to get something to drink. When I came out I decided to check my oil. Pull my dipstick and it said it was good. Not full but not to the add mark. Just so you guys know I am running a custom dipstick because I needed one that I could bend to go around the main girdle and not get the dipstick caught up in the rotating assembly.
Well anyways when i pulled the dipstick the oil was fine but the stick looked like it got nicked by the rotating assembly. I said I am not going to take any chances and removed the stick from the handle (remember I said it was custom so the stick uses a set screw to hold it to the handle) and put the handle back it to plug the dipstick hole. Well when I started the motor the oil light then came on. I was freaking but I put in another quart and it the light went out, and no other problems.
So basically I am worried why the light didn't come on before, like when I was driving, it would have been lower at the point anyways right. The next big concern is the dipstick said the level was fine and I have been going by this dipstick since I got the car together. Everytime I change the oil and check it, it reads full. So why did the stick read at the rest stop that is was probably 1/2 quart down but was low enough to put on the light. So I am confused and just trying to figure this out.
Well anyways when i pulled the dipstick the oil was fine but the stick looked like it got nicked by the rotating assembly. I said I am not going to take any chances and removed the stick from the handle (remember I said it was custom so the stick uses a set screw to hold it to the handle) and put the handle back it to plug the dipstick hole. Well when I started the motor the oil light then came on. I was freaking but I put in another quart and it the light went out, and no other problems.
So basically I am worried why the light didn't come on before, like when I was driving, it would have been lower at the point anyways right. The next big concern is the dipstick said the level was fine and I have been going by this dipstick since I got the car together. Everytime I change the oil and check it, it reads full. So why did the stick read at the rest stop that is was probably 1/2 quart down but was low enough to put on the light. So I am confused and just trying to figure this out.
94-302-vert
Active Member
I think the car ignores this when you are driving since oil will be in the motor not in the pan.
For me my light came on when I got back into the car and started it. Not on the drive to get my oil filter.
For me my light came on when I got back into the car and started it. Not on the drive to get my oil filter.
WhiteDevil
New Member
Back when my car used to burn a little oil through teh valve seals i would get a quart low around 3k miles and the light would come on when i was near an oil change. If you were on a slope or parked at a wierd angle that can cause the light to suddnely come on after being stopped for a little bit.
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