Low oil message but dipstick is fine? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Vancouverpaddy · 12-16-2023, 06:48 PM

Hey everyone,

New ZL1 owner here, 2015 murdered-out black coupe. I bought it with about 25000 miles on it. It has a Magnuson Heartbeat supercharger and a K&N CAI but otherwise stock.

The car is running great and I am very happy with it. I’ve put about 2000 miles on it since I got it and the oil life is listed at 45%, so I'll service it this week.

I had to drive about a 100 mile round trip today in clear weather. I stopped for gas and ended up going into the store for something to drink. I ended up parking the car afterwards on an incline.

When I started the car again (still on the incline) I got a message about low oil, and to add more oil. This confused me, because I hadn’t witnessed any leaks, the engine was completely clean and the car passed a mechanical inspection 2 months ago.

I parked the car on level ground, waited 7 minutes or so and then pulled the dipstick to inspect. After wiping the stick, I saw the oil level on the stick was well within reasonable levels. I had a sniff at the dipstick entry point and nothing.

I replaced the dipstick, started the car again and the message did not come back up.

Naturally, I am alarmed that this message came up even once. But now that it went away again, I’m wondering… Could it have been that because the car was on an incline, the sensor was off?
The car drove fine back home (another 40 miles or so).

Sorry if this is a total idiot question. Thanks!

Bigtime53 · 12-17-2023, 06:34 AM

You said it has a different supercharger on it now. Did someone put a different dipstick in the motor than what it came with new? I would investigate to see if some way the original dipstick got changed or something happened to it. The reason in saying this is if it is the wrong dipstick your oil level will not be correct. If it is the factory dipstick then you being on the incline could have caused the warning light to come on but I kind of doubt that is the real problem.

gtstorey · 12-17-2023, 08:00 AM

On much of an incline? I wouldn’t expect anything normally found in a parking lot to cause a low oil warning.

Probably time to inspect the harness around the oil level sensor. Maybe consider an oil change to confirm oil quantity that is in it, but you will have to confirm stock oil pan to confirm that original oil quantity is the correct level.

Vancouverpaddy · 12-17-2023, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime53

You said it has a different supercharger on it now. Did someone put a different dipstick in the motor than what it came with new? I would investigate to see if some way the original dipstick got changed or something happened to it. The reason in saying this is if it is the wrong dipstick your oil level will not be correct. If it is the factory dipstick then you being on the incline could have caused the warning light to come on but I kind of doubt that is the real problem.

Thanks for your reply! I hadn't thought of that, I'm not sure actually. I've got a service booked for this Wednesday and will be asking them those questions. Really appreciate it.

Vancouverpaddy · 12-17-2023, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

On much of an incline? I wouldn’t expect anything normally found in a parking lot to cause a low oil warning.

Probably time to inspect the harness around the oil level sensor. Maybe consider an oil change to confirm oil quantity that is in it, but you will have to confirm stock oil pan to confirm that original oil quantity is the correct level.

Thanks for your reply... I appreciate the insight. It was decent, about a 10% grade I would say. I've got a service booked for this Wednesday so I will ask those questions that you suggested.

Triple5even813 · 12-20-2023, 08:49 PM

Was the front end of the car pointing uphill or downhill?

Vancouverpaddy · 12-31-2023, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple5even813

Was the front end of the car pointing uphill or downhill?

Sorry for the delay! Downhill.

I've since had an oil change and no issues.

1MtnGoat · 01-22-2024, 04:51 PM

Parking on an incline could trigger it. I would not spend the $ to ask the dealer.

12-16-2023, 06:48 PM	#1
Vancouverpaddy Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Blacked Out Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 36 View My Garage	Low oil message but dipstick is fine? Hey everyone, New ZL1 owner here, 2015 murdered-out black coupe. I bought it with about 25000 miles on it. It has a Magnuson Heartbeat supercharger and a K&N CAI but otherwise stock. The car is running great and I am very happy with it. I’ve put about 2000 miles on it since I got it and the oil life is listed at 45%, so I'll service it this week. I had to drive about a 100 mile round trip today in clear weather. I stopped for gas and ended up going into the store for something to drink. I ended up parking the car afterwards on an incline. When I started the car again (still on the incline) I got a message about low oil, and to add more oil. This confused me, because I hadn’t witnessed any leaks, the engine was completely clean and the car passed a mechanical inspection 2 months ago. I parked the car on level ground, waited 7 minutes or so and then pulled the dipstick to inspect. After wiping the stick, I saw the oil level on the stick was well within reasonable levels. I had a sniff at the dipstick entry point and nothing. I replaced the dipstick, started the car again and the message did not come back up. Naturally, I am alarmed that this message came up even once. But now that it went away again, I’m wondering… Could it have been that because the car was on an incline, the sensor was off? The car drove fine back home (another 40 miles or so). Sorry if this is a total idiot question. Thanks!

12-20-2023, 08:49 PM	#6
Triple5even813 Learner of things Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 coupe, black Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 98 View My Garage	Was the front end of the car pointing uphill or downhill? __________________ 2013 M6. Cammed, straight piped, 17# boost, E85. Tuned by CHenry Motorsports. 825rwhp @ 6450, 812 rwtq @ 3500. Stock unported blower, stock heads, stock bottom end, stock throttle body. Boost only, no meth, no nitrous

01-22-2024, 04:51 PM	#8
1MtnGoat Drives: '12 SIM ZL1, 1 of 49 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 459	Parking on an incline could trigger it. I would not spend the $ to ask the dealer. __________________ Under Hood - Painted strut bar ends w/custom Polished Stainless mounting hardware, E2 CC, RotoFab CAI, ZL1 underhood decal, Amsoil oil, Black billet strut covers, Metco pulleys, intercooler reservoir, JRE 75 RWHP package. Chassis - Hawk ceramic brake pads, ZL1 wheel decals, Amsoil fluids Interior - A pillar gauge pod w/Aeroforce Interceptor gauges, Polished ZL1 speaker rings, ZL1 mats and console lid, Custom GPS mount Exterior - 3M clear bra, LED driving lights, PIAA Plasma Ion yellow fog lights, Window tint, CF bowties, Technostalgia sequential tail lights

12-17-2023, 06:34 AM	#2
Bigtime53 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,298	You said it has a different supercharger on it now. Did someone put a different dipstick in the motor than what it came with new? I would investigate to see if some way the original dipstick got changed or something happened to it. The reason in saying this is if it is the wrong dipstick your oil level will not be correct. If it is the factory dipstick then you being on the incline could have caused the warning light to come on but I kind of doubt that is the real problem.

12-17-2023, 08:00 AM	#3
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	On much of an incline? I wouldn’t expect anything normally found in a parking lot to cause a low oil warning. Probably time to inspect the harness around the oil level sensor. Maybe consider an oil change to confirm oil quantity that is in it, but you will have to confirm stock oil pan to confirm that original oil quantity is the correct level.