How much oil was in my car with no oil showing on dipstick in the below circumstances?

MARISACARROLL

MEMBER
2000 MERCURY MARQUIS
142,410 MILES

My oil sensor needle went down when I stopped on a hill. I stopped at a store and bought 2 quarts of oil. When I checked the dipstick, no oil was showing. I added 2 quarts and the level went halfway up to minimum on the dipstick. The car holds 5 quarts. Was there any oil in the car, and did I damage the engine? I heard no noises.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

You need to fill it up to the full mark when engine is is hot

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 11:36 PM

CADIEMAN

MECHANIC
3,544 POSTS

U were 3 quarts low look for a oil leak.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 11:39 PM

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

There was oil in the car. If there was no oil the light would have been on irregardless of how you were driving it. Adding two quarts it is safe to assume you had around 3 qts in the vehicle that is fine since you added oil. If you got to the point of hearing rattling noises when it was running then you can assume you were out of oil.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 11:40 PM

RASMATAZ