2007 Chevy HHR 2.4L 2LT A/T

It just so happened that I checked the oil before leaving the house. It was 1 notch low. No problem, almost time for an oil change anyway.

I drive to the store and on the way back, on a small incline not steep at all, the oil light comes on. I immediately pull over and shut off the car.

I am checking the dip stick on the side of the road and it is completely dry. I am in shock as I just checked it before I left the house, which is not something I normally do. (Weird coincidence, but I am lucky I did). I have someone bring oil to me and add 1.25 quarts to get the dip stick to register full.

I drive it the rest of the way home and let it sit overnight. The next morning it is basically over full by as much as I put in. Where was the oil held up at???

So I though it was a freak thing and changed the oil that day. It has been perfect all week, drives great, oil right on the full spot.

Then today (one full week later) at the same spot on the road, the light comes back on. I immediately pull over, but this time the oil is perfect. Exactly full. The car was not checked while cool yet today, but I don’t understand what is happening.

First I am thinking the car now having 193,000 miles is starting to burn oil.

Now however I am thinking it might be oil pressure, oil pump?

But what has me puzzled is where was all that oil hiding from the time before?

Yes the car was not cool and yes I filled it on the slight incline. But to show nothing on the dipstick at all after checking right before I left the house???

I thought the oil changed fixed it, but now I don’t know what to do?

Change the oil pressure switch,

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ng-unit-57962/

Interesting, I just read the post you linked.

I too noticed oil covering the starter completely, I just assumed it was the dealer dumping oil on the front of the engine when they changed the filter.

By the way, the dealer gave the car back to me once with oil all over the front bumper, so that’s what I assumed was happening as there is always oil near the filter housing that was indeed spilled every time they do an oil change. I do my own oil changes now. Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30.


Are you saying drop the pan to see if the dip stick tube is broken inside?

But where did it hide from the dipstick?

I just checked the oil now that the car is cool and the oil is perfect.

I will have to check those items next. Thank you.

I will get back to you with what worked when I find out.

Can 3/4 full on the dip stick hide on an incline?

yes, where is that extra oil ?
But seriously , yes you can lose a quart off a dipstick from level, a fresh oil change, and parked on an incline of a few degrees