Hello, im new to the forums... I recently bought myself a 2012 is350 awd, everything seemed good. About two weeks after buying the car i got two lights “low oil” and “replace oil” so i went to get an oilchange and put synthetic blend, i thought everything was good. Two weeks later exactly 500 miles later, the “low oil” light cane back on. I didnt worry too much knowing i just replaced it, i thought maybe they just forgot to reset the light, so i cane back to make sure everything is good. The guys told me the car had burned 3quartz in only 500 miles and they had never seem anything like it and that i might need an engine swap. This bummed me out so bad because i was so happy with the car. Is this a common issue? Is it a cheap fix?? I would appreciate any help thanks guys

 

That is extremely excessive oil burning, that is absolutely not a cheap fix. Putting thicker oil in will not be a fix. Putting those "oil consumption fix" liquids in your engine is also not a fix. I'd double check inside your engine bay and check around the valve covers, timing cover, and even the oil drain pan to see if you spot any leaks as it could potentially just be a bad gasket. Otherwise, if the engine is burning it, it's most likely getting past the piston rings which will require a rebuild or replacement. I can just about bet you'll be looking forward to replacing the cats as well if it's truly the engine burning it and not worn seals/gaskets.

For reference, "low oil" is always low oil. "Oil maint reqd" is when it's due for an oil change.

 

It *might* be possible that the place where you got your oil changed actually put less than the car needs. It happened to me before, very similar to your experience a few years ago. After adding a few quarts of oil myself it cleared the problem immediately. Times went by... I took my car in to have oil changed. No problem. No low oil warning light.

With your case I would just add more oil. And closely monitor if the car is consuming oil or not... Check the oil level every week or every few days so you can isolate the issues...

 

Thats what i was thinking, and im praying thats the issue. I feel like they just didnt put the proper amount. I want to top ot off my self but im not sure what they put in there, all i know is that it was synthetic blend. Does this matter can i just top it off with any oil?

 

Leaking oil; there may be some options to correct this. However, consider taking it back to where you bought it from and get it on a lift and remove the plastic panels. Verify it is not leaking. If leaks or no leaks, now consider those warranty or return options. This is not normal and as stated above you need to verify the oil level on flat level ground and check it like 3 times. Also get some oil to carry with you. Likely need a gallon. If you run it out of oil even if it has a warranty the engine will be completely destroyed and you could likely be considered neglectful.

Big concern here is that it had been ran out of oil a couple of times and its useful lifespan is very short. How many miles and where did you buy it?

Also, do us a favor and open the oil fill cap and tell us what you see in the cap and in the valve cover.

My 2103; bought w 50,000 and now has 80,000 and doesn't use a drop of oil in 5,000 mi.

 

I suggest YOU top the oil, record the miles and check it again after 500 miles of running. If you are missing say 3 qt. then its gonna need a rebuild or get a salvage engine with low miles. These engines are designed to use some oil but not 3 qt.

 

Let me fix this for you//_ The OEM Specification allows them to use some oil but not ......

OP run some Yamaha Ring Free through it and report back.

 

I made a post about this not too long ago for my 2006 is350.

I did an oil change and ran an oil treatment product with it. About 2 weeks later low oil light came on on my way home from work. Checked it the next morning and to my surprise there was practically no oil left at all. Anyways long story short 2013FSport gave me some good advice to help, only thing I didn’t do was try this Yamaha free ring product. I still might but my problems have *knock on wood* gone down drastically. I still get the occasional gas/sulfur smell from my guess would be the cat having oil burned in it. However my oil consumption is down since I last topped it off with 7 more quarts of Mobil one full synthetic high mileage.

I did did have a ceramic coating (Ceratec) applies to my engine which I was told would take up to 1000 miles to fully settle in and really start helping the engine. *(Maybe that’s my saving grace?)*

I had pcv valve replaced, spark plugs replaced, cleaned throttle body & maf sensor, and installed a mishimoto baffled oil catch can with copper filter.

Its a known problem that these cars have (I think it has a lot to do with previous owner care honestly but it is quite a widespread problem among Toyota engines in general.)

I might also get my valve cover gaskets replaced in the future too but for now things seem to be going good.

Please let let us know if you try that Yamaha ring free product I’d like to hear the results.