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Old 12-30-2003, 02:56 PM   #1
metalgirl1971
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didn't know where else to post this

I didn't know where else to post this. I know I seem dumb asking this question but it's better to seem dumb than to pretend to know what you're doing and ruin your car I think.
I drive a 91 Buick Skylark. The oil light came on. I drove it about a quarter mile home. I know now that maybe I already ruined the engine. But if I didn't, since the dipstick shows I am low, if I add oil myself and the light goes out, am I going to be safe driving it to a quick lube place to get the oil and filter changed? I know no one can give specific advice about a specific car based on a few sentences they read online, I am just asking generally, if I can just get some oil into it if that's going to be okay until I can drive it the half mile to a garage.
Sorry again if I posted this in the wrong place and thanks in advance.

Vicki
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Old 12-30-2003, 09:31 PM   #2
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Re: didn't know where else to post this

yeah, if you add oil until the dipstick reads the proper level, or at least somewhere close to it, you'll be fine driving it somewhere to get the oil changed. Use 5w-30, 10w-30, or 10w-40, and for the short trip you'll be okay.
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Old 12-30-2003, 09:39 PM   #3
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Re: didn't know where else to post this

when the oil light comes on it does not ness. mean that you need an oil change or that you will ruin your car, it just indicates that you are low, you can save time and money if you do it yourself, oil changes are very easy. but if you are doin it to keep records of oil changes n things then you should take it to a shop, but you should give the oil change ur self to save time and money
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Old 12-30-2003, 10:24 PM   #4
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Re: didn't know where else to post this

Hey Vicki-"there are no dumb questions"-I forget the rest of the quote. Anyway,the oil lite on your car means pressure,not level. If your low enough in oil to set the lite off you may have a problem. If your engine wasn't knocking/tapping/rattling/ you should be OK.Also,a bad sending unit will give a false lite.
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Old 12-31-2003, 07:38 AM   #5
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Re: didn't know where else to post this

yeah, it is pressure, but could also be level, depending on the way the car is setup.
alot of newer cars have one light that will read for both pressure and level. The level and pressure are related though.
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Old 12-31-2003, 11:21 AM   #6
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Re: Re: didn't know where else to post this

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronco2
"there are no dumb questions"-I forget the rest of the quote.
I believe it was "there is no such thing as a dumb question, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots out there."
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Old 01-10-2004, 05:07 PM   #7
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Re: Re: Re: didn't know where else to post this

Quote:
Originally Posted by ivymike1031
I believe it was "there is no such thing as a dumb question, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots out there."
I thought it was "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people." but i could be wrong.
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Old 01-10-2004, 07:22 PM   #8
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Re: didn't know where else to post this

there is no such thing as a stupid question-only stupid answers
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