Low Oil Message

[Catfarm]

I had gotten my 5000 mile oil and filter change on my LC on Feb. 6/25 at the dealer - I double checked that they had filled the oil. On 3/24 I got a message on the dash that my engine oil was low, also popped on the Toyota app. Checked dip stick- level was not registering. Went to dealer- the drain plug was loose from the last oil change and she was 2 qts. down. They changed the oil and filter and performed a pressure check. They were very apologetic.
Hopefully no damage was done- I got a note on the service statement that they are at fault for the loose plug, should any subsequent issues arise.
Good to know the diagnostics are functioning.

 

[thognar]

Thanks for taking one for the team and checking that the low oil pressure sensor works.

 

[jayce]

Also a good practice to check under the vehicle post oil change to observe any leaks. I’ve had this happen and the culprit was me!

 

[APIOQM]

I would imagine the warning is there to catch the issue before damage has occurred.

 

[jcdeng]

wow, the warning came on after 2 qts gone? The European cars will give you the warning at 1 qt down, kinda dropping the ball there Toyota.

 

[ckrough]

got a note on the service statement that they are at fault for the loose plug, should any subsequent issues arise

Nice to see a dealership proactively take responsibility like that

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

My question is if the drain plug was loose then where did the 2 quart of oil go? Did you not notice any thing leaking from under the LC, or smell burning oil? I would like to think if 2 quarts was leaking there would be some indication prior to the light coming on.

 

[LCOceans]

I'll never forget when in college my girlfiend took her Toyota Corolla in to a small shop for an oil change. She drove home which was maybe 2 miles away and called me saying her oil light was on. I checked dipstick and absolutely dry - no oil. They had forgotten to put oil back in after draining. Added oil and all was OK. Only a Toyota can you drive without oil!

 

[uraniumrich]

I had gotten my 5000 mile oil and filter change on my LC on Feb. 6/25 at the dealer - I double checked that they had filled the oil. On 3/24 I got a message on the dash that my engine oil was low, also popped on the Toyota app. Checked dip stick- level was not registering. Went to dealer- the drain plug was loose from the last oil change and she was 2 qts. down. They changed the oil and filter and performed a pressure check. They were very apologetic.
Hopefully no damage was done- I got a note on the service statement that they are at fault for the loose plug, should any subsequent issues arise.
Good to know the diagnostics are functioning.

If it were me, then I'd insist on having an oil analysis done with the oil that is in the engine. If any damage is done, then that would be the first place you'd see signs of a potential future issue. I would also encourage you to have a mechanic pull the oil filter, open it up, and check in the pleats for any visible glitter. Unlike a party, glitter in oil is bad.

A lot of us use Blackstone Labs and SpeedDiagnostix for oil analysis. In this case, I'd probably pay the extra $ (well, the dealer who made the mistake should pay) and use SpeedDiagnostix because Lake Speed Jr. will then be available to you for questions. He's an expert in engine wear and lubrication.

I would not let the dealer collect the oil for analysis, but some other independent mechanic who understands what needs to be done and the reason for the analysis.

 

[Willadon]

Many years ago I was a service manager at a Ford Dealership, the oil change person is often the inexperienced newer hire shop hand. Some turn into Master Mechanics after a few months- years others get fired after some very dumb mistakes. I very much prefer to change my own oil for many reasons including just having a chance to look around for leaks, corrosion, worn parts etc. One of my sons and I did the first service on our 2025 L.C. which I will post as soon as I can figure out how. Meanwhile you can find it at Btwillias' Garage.

 

[ultane]

I had gotten my 5000 mile oil and filter change on my LC on Feb. 6/25 at the dealer - I double checked that they had filled the oil. On 3/24 I got a message on the dash that my engine oil was low, also popped on the Toyota app. Checked dip stick- level was not registering. Went to dealer- the drain plug was loose from the last oil change and she was 2 qts. down. They changed the oil and filter and performed a pressure check. They were very apologetic.
Hopefully no damage was done- I got a note on the service statement that they are at fault for the loose plug, should any subsequent issues arise.
Good to know the diagnostics are functioning.

Find. Another. Dealer..

 

[ultane]

Also a good practice to check under the vehicle post oil change to observe any leaks. I’ve had this happen and the culprit was me!

When I was a kid, I was so excited to change the oil and filter in my mother’s ‘72 Oldsmobile Toronado. I was so proud of myself. Right up until I poured 5 quarts of oil into the engine, put the oil cap back on, reached for a rag to check the dip stick to make sure every thing was okay. No oil on the dipstick. I couldn’t figure out why, then I saw a trail of oil running down the driveway. What a sinking feeling. I had to bum a ride to NAPA to get more oil, and then clean up my mess.

I laugh about it now.

 

[ultane]

Many years ago I was a service manager at a Ford Dealership, the oil change person is often the inexperienced newer hire shop hand. Some turn into Master Mechanics after a few months- years others get fired after some very dumb mistakes. I very much prefer to change my own oil for many reasons including just having a chance to look around for leaks, corrosion, worn parts etc. One of my sons and I did the first service on our 2025 L.C. which I will post as soon as I can figure out how. Meanwhile you can find it at Btwillias' Garage.

Back in 2011 I did a fly and ride, from Boise to Chattanooga, to ride a new BMW R1200 GS Adventure home to Idaho. ‘Lynda’ is the bike in my avatar, shown as we crossed back into Idaho on that trip.

BMW motored requires a break-in oil change at 600 miles. So my then girl friend an I rode around East Tennessee for a couple of days, and then went back to Pandora’s Motorsports for the 600 mile service before riding home to Idaho. It consisted of an oil change, and a ‘look over’ the bike for loose nuts and bolts.

After it was all done, we hit the road. We later found a motel after about 300 miles, and got a good nights sleep. The next morning, there was a 12” puddle of oil underneath Lynda. I was more than a little pissed. I took the bash plate off and found the oil drain plug loose, only finger tight. I called the owner of the shop on his cell phone,.. and had a few words with him. He wanted me to come back to his shop so he could make it right. I told him that there was no way in hell that anyone there would ever touch my bike again. Years later, I found out that the mechanic that worked on Lynda was still employed there. So, I tightened the drain plug and added about 250 ml of oil (I always carried a small aluminum bottle with some in it) and we hit the road.

No shop has ever touched any of my bikes since then.

 

[Catfarm]

My question is if the drain plug was loose then where did the 2 quart of oil go? Did you not notice any thing leaking from under the LC, or smell burning oil? I would like to think if 2 quarts was leaking there would be some indication prior to the light coming on.

I have a dirt floor in my barn, always park in the same place, so never had an opportunity to see the leak. Never was a smell of burning oil.

 

[Catfarm]

If it were me, then I'd insist on having an oil analysis done with the oil that is in the engine. If any damage is done, then that would be the first place you'd see signs of a potential future issue. I would also encourage you to have a mechanic pull the oil filter, open it up, and check in the pleats for any visible glitter. Unlike a party, glitter in oil is bad.

A lot of us use Blackstone Labs and SpeedDiagnostix for oil analysis. In this case, I'd probably pay the extra $ (well, the dealer who made the mistake should pay) and use SpeedDiagnostix because Lake Speed Jr. will then be available to you for questions. He's an expert in engine wear and lubrication.

I would not let the dealer collect the oil for analysis, but some other independent mechanic who understands what needs to be done and the reason for the analysis.

Good suggestion.