2005 Avalon XLS--I checked the oil today because "Main reqd" light came on last night. I know it may have nothing to do with low oil. However, there was no oil on dipstick(important correction-I think it was just a quart low)there was oil on the bottom of dipstick), but low oil light didn't come on. We were on slight incline in driveway( with front of car up) when checked. Just had car in for maintenance and oil change. She drove 65 mph for an hour last night. Would oil light surely have come on if oil was too low? Also, if oil would be too low, wouldn't engine temp go up? I'm writing for my mom. It's her car. Thanks
It is possible whoever did the recent oil change guessed at the refill capacity (and guessed too low). I would just add oil to the proper level, then recheck it every few days to be sure the level remains stable.
Some '05 models develop an oil leak at the rear, just below the valve cover, on the left bank (as viewed from the front of the engine). TSB #EG038-06 describes the problem and how to correct it. EG064-05 describes an oil leak in an oil pipe that runs from the top of the left valve cover near the front of the engine. There is a new design pipe to eliminate it. Your vehicle may have develped one or both of those common leaks.
The oil light comes on when oil pressure is too low. As long as there is enough oil in the sump for the oil pump to maintain pressure, it will remain out.
Do NOT depend on the oil light to warn you of low oil level. The engine can be almost out of oil before either the oil pressure light or the engine temperature give any indication of a problem. As inov8 indicated, the light is for low oil pressure, not low level. Periodically check the level with the dipstick, but do it when the car is level.
Before you get your knickers in a twist - put the car on level ground, wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan and then recheck it. I'll wager that the level will be within tolerance.
Cars are meant to have their oil checked on level ground.
Thanks for the advice guys--My dad read the dipstick wrong. I can't do it because I'm layed up right now. Can't get around well. It was dark out when he checked, but I bet the incline may have had something to do with it Tom. We took it to the car guy-he said there was plenty and maybe the oil was so clean it was harder to read for my dad. I will keep an eye out for the 2005 oil leak situation. My knickers were momentarily twisted. Thanks Jerbo
Do NOT depend on the oil light to warn you of low oil level. The engine can be almost out of oil before either the oil pressure light or the engine temperature give any indication of a problem. As inov8 indicated, the light is for low oil pressure, not low level. Periodically check the level with the dipstick, but do it when the car is level.
Advice to live by and get 200K, 300K, or more miles out of your Avalon or any other vehicle. Check everything you can regularly.
TrailDust
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
The above posts were correct. The oil in our Avalon is often hard to read because it stays so clean. I check the oil every time I put fuel in it, just habit from driving older cars. Its not an inconvenience, as you can check the oil much faster than the time it takes to fill up. I often get funny looks from people when I pop the hood while filling up, I have even got a comment from someone else filling-up, he said, "Problems already with that new of a car?!" Gave me a funny look when I said I was just checking the oil.
Thanks Trail Dust & sr20det. I will heed your advice. I tell my dad about the dipstick.
We generally take pretty good care of our cars. We had a beautiful hunter green 2000 Avalon XL with 66k mi, but in Oct. a young girl in a Navigator and on a cell phone went through a red light and totaled it. My dad was in the middle of the hwy taking a left-she hit just in front of front wheel.
We bought the 2005 black Avalon XLS w/ tan int. off lease with 26k in Dec 2008. It's nice. My parents liked the body styling of the 2000 better, but I'm not sure I do. It has better airbags(2008). I don't like the fact that the front pass. seat bottom doesn't tilt up and down like 2000. Oh well. The back seat int. is great on 2005.
CHeck you VVTI oil feed line for the rear cylinder head, a very common problem for oil leaks, you'll see in the camry forum about this also. This line connects the VVTI solenoid to the oil gallery in the head. Toyotas with the 3.5L 2grfe engine 2008-05 ,Camry Avalon, Sienna, Rav4, ES350 all have this issue or soon will.
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
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