Hi,

I own a 2004 Crossfire Coupe. I had my oil checked at a texaco havoloine about a month ago. Since that time I have run the car about 1,000 miles. The oil used was Synthetic. Now only a month later the check oil light is acting up. I first saw it about a week ago in the morning. It came on and went out almost immediatley. Today its about 29 degrees here and it keeps coming on and going out while I drive. It will stay on for about 2 minutes and then go away and come back on again. Would the cold have anything to do with this? I have never seen the car do this before during any kind of weather. Why would my oil levels be low? I don't want to take it for another 60.00 oil chance yet, but I also dont want my car to get damaged? Your thoughts on this behavior.

 

Sounds like your oil level is at just the right level to activate the low oil indicator. Have you pulled the dip stick to verify the oil level? May have to add a little.
Check under the car, any drips, puddles of oil?

If you paid only $60 for an oil change you probably didn't get a full 8.5 quarts of synthetic oil. $60 is WAY cheap if you had it done. If you did it yourself it's a good price.

 

Hey rjoyner17, just noticed that you are new to the forum.
From all of us...

Welcome!!!

LOTS of information here as well as LOTS of Crossfire smart folks. We are at your service. Ask and we will respond, right or wrong!
Again, welcome!
"See" ya on the forum!

 

Hi,

Thank you for the welcome. My oil is not leaking or anything. I have no clue how to do the oil myself. I am a idiot when it comes to cars. If i have to add more oil do I need to go somewhere to get it done or can I do it myself? If so then what kind of oil do I need?

 

pull out the dipstick, wipe the oil off with a rag, put it back in and pull it out. if its between the markings on the stick its safe, if not, you need to add some and check for leaks. Our car has a plastic cover underneath the engine, so leaking oil may be collecting on that cover rather than dripping to the ground.

 

For $60 I would wonder if the shop really did put Mobil1 0-40w full synthetic. And what filter they used. Parts only would be more than $60 unless there are some killer deals out there I don't know of.

Also, welcome, and be sure to use the "search tools" here, very helpful!

Edit, reread your opening statement, looks like Havoline was used. Maybe they could do it for $60 then. I don't know now.

 

The other way to check the engine oil is via the trip odometer reset button feature.
You can find this in the owners manual, in the section - Understanding Your Instrument Panel - in the Oil Level indicator Light section.

- Hop in your car.
- Turn ignition key to the run position, but do not start the engine.
- Press the Trip Odometer Reset Button (left of Speedometer) once, and release.
- Wait about seven seconds, and the trip odometer will change to an oil symbol.
- Press and release the Trip Odometer Reset Button (left of Speedometer) twice within 1 second, and the main Odometer readout will then display a message.

OK
-1.0 Q
-1.5 Q
-2.0 Q
HI

If the readout is OK, you do nothing.
If it's low, you should read your owners manual on how to add oil to the engine, and what type of oil you need to buy.
If it is HI, you need to take the car to a shop to get them to remove enough.

I HIGHLY recommend that you read your owners manual, and open the hood of the car, and learn to identify the various components of your car. In my opinion, EVERYONE who drives a car should know how to do the following tasks without asking for help on any vehicle they drive on a regular basis:

- Check the engine oil level.
- Check the automatic transmission fluid level (if the car has a dipstick for the transmission)
- Check the coolant level.
- Check the brake fluid level.
- Check the washer fluid level.
- Know how to add more oil, brake, coolant, and washer fluid to their car.
- Check the tire pressure.
- Know how to inflate their tires, and what pressure it needs to be at.

These are items that keep the car safe to drive, and it is surprising how many people don't know how to do these simple operations, and/or neglect these items on their cars.

BC.

 

Have a 2004 Limited with almost 60k miles on the odometer. Runs great but has an intermittant check oil light. This condition has existed for the past 15k. I have another oil level senor unit to instal but haven't gotten there yet. I check the oil by dipstick bi-weekly and it has never dropped a notch. I see the fix as low priority as mods to the SRT6 happen first. May get to it this winter while they are up on chocks so to speak. Your problem is not unique. If you dont want to get gouged by the stealerships right now, I recommend checking the oil manually often. If its just the level sensor then fix it on your schedule after researching and bargaining for a good deal on the repair. If you have a shop or mechanic you trust get the manuals online and see if he wants to take it on. If he is an independent and good he will look at the manual before he commits. Remember "quote in writting".

 

The other concern is if they put in the 8.5 quarts required. If they do not know Crossfires they may have put in 5 quarts or ???

 

That does sound very cheap for 8.5 quarts of synthetic oil to be changed. Cheapest I've ever seen was $90.00. Where are you from?

Is this your first time using this shop for oil changes?

 

I just got all I needed for an oil change at Autozone a couple of days ago......

Filter = $19.50
Oil = 6.50 per quart / $58.50 for 9 quarts

The way I see it.....either they did the work for free , or they shorted you on oil.

 

rjoyner17, where'd ya go???
Hope yer not stuck on the side of the road with a siezed motor!

 

My '05 started doing the same thing... Oil Level was perfect... Oil Level Sensor was not. Took it to the dealer and they want nearly $300 to fix. Given the season and the fact that mine is parked until thaw... The bad sensor stays at least until spring. Definitely check it out though. The sensor will still be a better deal than a motor.

BTW- anyone else have to change that sensor?

Thanks-

 

Yes. Same problem with 04 (at 37,500K). Oil level perfect. Oil Level SENSOR not! There is oil all over the outside of the sensor (enough to drip down into the black plastic cover thing a bit). I think the sensor price my mech. found is about $140 (+ his labor of course). I wonder if this kind of thing is covered by an aftermarket extended warranty????

 

it should be covered under the warranty but double check