Since you're new to cars the first thing you should do whenever the SES light comes on is to get the codes read that tripped the light. An auto parts start store can usually do it for you for free. You can also do this yourself with a cheap OBDII scanner that plugs into the OBDII port under the dash and a smartphone app like Torque. The car will trip the light when the computer detects a problem somewhere and the codes will help pinpoint what the problem is.

Without doing this you, and we, are just guessing which doesn't usually turn out well. Good luck, get the codes read and go from there.

 

I would definitely get a oil pressure gauge on it pronto. If it has low oil pressure it won't take long to trash the main and rod bearings.

 

 

You are checking the oil with the engine cold? Best time is to check it first thing in the morning, on level ground

 

 

That's what she said.

Sorry, I couldn't resist...…..

 

Checking the oil level on the VQ35 sucks. I let mine sit on level ground for an hour or so and check it cold. It is a lot easier when it gets cold out and the oil is thick. My 04' with 125k miles was loosing about 1 quart every 1000 miles when I first bought it and I knew that it wasn't the rings yet. You figure if I use crap oil and change it at 3000 miles which means I would be at 2 qts by oil change time! If I used synthetic I would be completely out before the 5-6k change... I found that the valve covers showed a little leakage at the corners. So I fixed them and I believe I use about 1 qt per 2000 miles now. My 05' was doing the same thing and it has the same issue plus the water/oil exchanger where your oil filter screws on was leaking between it and the block. I pulled it (three bolts) and changed the metal gasket and it doesn't drip anymore. I still have to do the valve covers. The valve cover job is not fun and if you look up a labor quote online I believe it's like a $400 job if you take it somewhere.

 

Sounds like you WERE low on oil since not much came out. As others have said, only check the oil on a cold engine before it's been run for the day. Check your oil once per week, these vehicles are notorious for drinking oil so you'll probably need to top it off weekly.