Nissan Repair: Oil Pressure Light, engine oil pressure, nissan altima

Question
I had a 2005 Nissan Altima. I felt like a bucking sensation in the engine - quite slight - I almost wondered if it was there. This morning the oil can light came on and flashed immediately and I have not seen it again. I looked it up in the book and it was the engine oil pressure light. I checked the oil - there was almost none and put 2 quarts in. I am not due for an oil change for another 500 miles. This engine had on 109,000 when it was put in the car in July. What could be the cause of the bucking sensation and the light flashing on. Where did the oil go?

Answer
Hi Dee -

The bucking could be the car missing because it needs a tune up, when was the last on you had? Does it only buck under acceleration load or up hills, or all the time?

As for the oil, 2 quarts is a lot to put in at one time, so it must be going somewhere. If you do not see drippings on your garage floor, or wherever you park your car for long peroids of time, then it could be burning out, such as the valve seals. note next time you start first thing in the morning if you see smoke coming out of the exhaust. If you do see drippings, then check the oil sending unit, valve cover gaskets.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin