Getting a few things checked out on my car and an oil change. They said it was about 3 quarts low on oil. Wouldn't the car give me a notification if it was that low? Vacuum pump is leaking oil.

 

The vacuum pump seal is a common, simple and cheap repair if you DIY. Its 2 torx screws and a vacuum line. I replaced mine when i changed my oil. Theres some good videos on You Tube on it.

 

Yes, easy to do. Also valve covers leak.

 

I was specifically asking if I should have gotten a notification that the oil was low. I'm glad its an easy fix but I'm not going to do it. I live in an apartment.

 

Three quarts is a lot. Around one third of the capacity.

However, for ACCURATE oil level measurement it's absolutely critical the vehicle is on the LEVEL. Even a slight incline front or rear makes a big difference to the reading.

Graham

 

They claimed they drained 5 quarts so down about 3 quarts. It wasn't from a reading. Would the car give me a notification if it was down 3 quarts?

 

nope. warning comes on when the engine is actually starved, not when the sump is low. right after i bought mine, did first oil change immediately, only about half a quart ever came out of the vehicle. no warning on dash. level sensor's working fine.

stick a piece of paper in your instrument cluster every month or two after you get out of the car, to remind yourself as you get back in the following morning, to turn the power on and check the level before starting the car. that's what i do.

 

What’s your oil change interval? I’ve never had a warning, even with oil level below what the message centre gauge shows. I do a change every 5-6k miles and with a leaking valve cover, down about a quart.

 

I think it had been around 8 or 9 months and 4k since my last change. I decided to have the oil changed since it had been so long yet hadn't hit the miles.

 

That’s a massive loss, then, in such a short time. Even when my pump was leaking, I never noticed any difference in oil loss.

edit: it’s miles done, not time.

 

Ok I'm an idiot, just called the old service place. It was 15 months and around 4k miles. Yup I barely drive it haha.

 

Right after I had my oil changed at Jaguar, the service tech had scanned my car which showed the oil level at 3/4 while the car's gauge showed full. So much for the car's accuracy.