2AZ-FE noise and oil

[etc]

got a '02 2AZ-FE (4-cyl) with 85K miles..., 5 speed M/T

Was making some kind of ticking noise under throttle, especially in 4th speed and between 2500-3000 rpms. It wasn't loud but definitely different from the day before.

Right before it, I drove in a city for 2 hours, stop and go.

Right after this, the noise suddenly appeared. I checked the oil, Mobil 1 5w-30. and found that it was about 1/4 qt low. I filled it to the "full" line and the noise went away.

Not sure if it's just a correlation, or maybe it's the type of gas that was causing the knock sensor to malfunction?

[TRD VVTi]

Being 1/4 quart low on oil wouldn't cause a noise unless there is a problem with the oil pump pickup.

[Camry5genrocks]

Originally Posted by etc

got a '02 2AZ-FE (4-cyl) with 85K miles..., 5 speed M/T

Was making some kind of ticking noise under throttle, especially in 4th speed and between 2500-3000 rpms. It wasn't loud but definitely different from the day before.

Right before it, I drove in a city for 2 hours, stop and go.

Right after this, the noise suddenly appeared. I checked the oil, Mobil 1 5w-30. and found that it was about 1/4 qt low. I filled it to the "full" line and the noise went away.

Not sure if it's just a correlation, or maybe it's the type of gas that was causing the knock sensor to malfunction?

Do you change your oil and filter every 5k?