Yikes...2.5 Quarts Low

[frank3]

Decided to check my oil level today...I needed to put in 2.5 quarts just to bring the oil level up to the fill mark on the dipstick. Not sure how long I've been driving this way.

What harm might I have done?

[kestrel325is]

have you been doing any aggressive driving? Hard cornering, etc?

If not, I would wager that you've done very little damage, if any at all.

Does anything sound different in the engine? Squeaks?

I think you'll be fine.

[Furious]

probably nothing to extensive, it really does depend on your driving habits. in the future you should check your oil level every week to two weeks or after any long period of long hard driving.

[docrobot]

Actually, you can tell us whether you have done any damage in the future!

Do you use regular oil, or synthetic?

[Brian325i]

How did you find out you were 2.5 quarts low? I thought the dipstick only had 2 notches...each representing 1 quart.

[frank3]

1) I haven't been driving (too) aggressively...that's good.

2) I'm currently using non-synthetic, but plan on changing to Mobil1 next oil change (car only has 67k on it).

3) I found out I was 2.5 qts low, cause that's how much oil I had to put in to bring the oil up to dipstick level.

4) Yeah, I'll sure be able to tell you how the car has faired...hopefully I'll have NO REPORT for you ;>)