Hairy Situation - Couple questions re seatbelt release and oil indicator light

[bicycleagent003]

Hey Mudders,

I got stuck this past weekend while on the trail, and I have a couple questions in doing the autopsy on the situation.

First, I got stuck on a very steep decline, with both axles resting on a high berm between deep wheel ruts. I took off my seatbelt to get out and assess, and when I got back in the rig I could not get the seatbelt to release from its resting home position due to the angle I was sitting at. I had to drive down without a seatbelt once I got unstuck, and that was very precarious. I felt like I was going to roll, twice, but did not. What am I missing about getting the seatbelt to release in that situation? It was very scary to drive down without a seatbelt.

Second, while I was sitting on the steep decline, my oil level low indicator light was on. The oil level was fine, and the engine maintained proper oil pressure throughout the several times I had to turn it off and restart it while I stacked rocks and used my shovel to get out. Is the oil level light being on normal? Any concern there?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bigredmachine]

for the seatbelt theres not really anything that you can do, its doing what its supposed to do. theres a mechanism in the seatbelt assembly that is supposed to lock it if your rolling over. easy fix is to try to pull out a little more seat belt and use something like this to keep the seat belt from retracting. https://www.harborfreight.com/1-12-in-spring-clamp-69292.html

as for the oil level sensor my guess is its just the oil sloshing around in the sump causing the sensor to read low, if your worried i would get an oil pressure gauge instead of relying on the dash gauge

 

[John McVicker]

W/O being absolutely positive, I agree with @bigredmachine on both counts. Totally understand how it must have felt but I don’t think there is a work around.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Yeah that's kind of what I figured. Thanks. I guess I'll put a strong binder clip on my dash mat and try to remember to clip my seatbelt if something like that happens again. It seems unlikely that I'll remember in the heat of the moment.

 

[alia176]

the oil level sensor is near the front which was raised way up in the air so it makes sense the indicator came on.

 

[bicycleagent003]

the oil level sensor is near the front which was raised way up in the air so it makes sense the indicator came on.

View attachment 3950578

That's what I thought, but I was pointing nose down (on a steep decline, not a steep incline). I'm still confused. Am I just being a bonehead? Thanks for your reply.

 

[alia176]

That's what I thought, but I was pointing nose down (on a steep decline, not a steep incline). I'm still confused. Am I just being a bonehead? Thanks for your reply.

well, that's indeed perplexing.

 

[ppc]

The oil level sensor is not on the front but more towards the rear so when pointed steeply down hill the light will illuminate.

 

[alia176]

The oil level sensor is not on the front but more towards the rear so when pointed steeply down hill the light will illuminate.
View attachment 3950664

that's a fantastic pic BTW.

 

[ppc]

No credit for me I've stolen that from another post, just added the pointer.

 

[alia176]

No credit for me I've stolen that from another post, just added the pointer.

i printed it out on the color printer at work!!

 

[bicycleagent003]

For others following along at home, I'm going to answer my own question about the seatbelt.
I should have walked out to find another vehicle to give me a pull from the rear. Instead, I drove downhill in a very scary situation and nearly rolled, while not wearing a seatbelt. In retrospect, the time spent (about 45 minutes) was about the same either way.
Also, I should have walked the obstacle first and been more cautious, particularly because I was alone.
So, lesson (re)learned. I should have avoided the situation, and once in it, I should have acted more sensibly and with my family in mind.
My bad.

 

[bicycleagent003]

The oil level sensor is not on the front but more towards the rear so when pointed steeply down hill the light will illuminate.
View attachment 3950664

Thank you for that information and image. I only wish my engine were that clean. Why isn't there a Toyota filter on that block? That looks like a Wix.
I know you just borrowed the image, I'm just joking around. And thank you.