I had my oil changed today, and both myself and the mechanic that did made a nearly fatal error: we didn't check for any leaks. I just drove off. When I got home, which was a drive of about 10 miles on the highway, there was a big puddle of oil on the ground, and a coating of it on the right side and rear of the car. I freaked out, thinking the worst. It turned out to be a bad seal on the outer filter housing. It spewed oil everywhere, and I lost about 3.25 qt.

Anyone with knowledge of the supercharged engines (05) know if I just did some serious damage to it? The oil light didn't go on, but could I have just added 10k miles to the age of the engine?

Just curious.

 

In the end, it is what it is. Certainly better not to run low on oil, but if the light didn't go on you apparently had sufficient pressure. Highway is easiest on the car. Fill it up, and hope for the best!

 

Think you are fine....
Car has pleanty of oil, no light...
Just get the car a good bath!!

 

Thanks. I've been walking around all day moping and in a daze. Zippy....would you do a compression test or anything crazy like that? Any way to put my mind at rest?

 

You shouldn't have anything to worry about r56s have to worry when they run low on oil because it usually means a turbo is at risk.

 

Good point.

 

Naww...
The oil pump intake in the sump was never uncovered...if it had been from low oil level, the pressure would have dropped, then the red-light would have turned on...Since no light was ever turned on. PROLONGED running a couple quarts low can result in VERY HOT OIL, accelerating wear and the oils breakdown.
IMO you are 100% fine.your car never noticed I bet, heck, folks can sometimes have oil issues during lots of turning at higher G-loads on a track...that is why some folks use a baffled oil pan. So in your case, the low oil was not even as bad as some folks see Momentarily on the track when the oil pump/sump intake is momentarily uncovered! But here Neither happened!
So No worries!!
Hopefully this long-winded explanation has put you at ease, cause what happened sucks, but in the grand scheme, IMO buy a lottery ticket!!