Hi, In brief, dumbly drove without checking the oil. Lost power and two icons appeared. 1. Driving with 1/2 the power appeared in front of wheel 2. Engine light in yellow appeared on the round screen (which shows how fast one is going). Drove back home for 35 miles or so, just no power, around 45 mph.
At home filled with oil (needed about 2 quarts). Test drove on freeway and running okay. Power restored BUT icons are still there, both lit. Question: Can I drive 63 miles to my mechanic OR should I have car towed OR should I find someone to clear the codes and see what happens?

 

What are the codes. Do you hear anything weird from the engine?

 

Hi MiniToBe, Nothing weird from the engine. No visible exhaust when I start the engine. No roughness when starting or driving or idling. Codes would have to be looked up by a mechanic. So, what you're suggesting is before clearing the codes, see what they are referring to? Thank you.

 

Yes before clearing anything get the codes. It is good to have an obd reader if you dont have one, autozone will check them for free. If you are near philly or on my way to bordentown NJ i can read the codes for you

 

Excellent idea. I will visit Autozone tomorrow. Thanks so much for offering to read the codes. I will phone the codes to my wonderful Mini Mechanic and ask his advise.

 

i purchased my 2008 MCS new....initially I kept an eye on the oil level, but the engine was tight and it did not consume any oil. Fast-forward to approximately 30,000 miles...by this time I had slacked off and I was not checking the oil level frequently. Then one day I got an Amber check engine light do to low oil...

The car was now an oil burner...fun, fun, fun!

 

it depends on what other services you did on the car. it is reported that the valve cover (PCV) goes bad on them hence the oil burning. Also, at 30K, I would really consider replacing the timing chain cassette.