Car Care Tips

Tips to keep your car on the road.

Safety November 18, 2022

Why Is My Oil Pressure Light On?

Your car’s dashboard displays vital information about your vehicle’s systems, from speed to critical warning lights! One of the most important dashboard warning lights to pay attention to is the red oil pressure light.

The low oil pressure light looks like a genie lamp or old-fashioned oil can (some dashboards display the word “OIL” instead of the icon). It indicates that there’s a problem with your engine oil pressure, which is an urgent concern. If you’re driving and the oil pressure light illuminates, you should stop the car as soon as you have a safe place to pull over.

What Does the Oil Light Mean?

The oil light comes on when the system detects an issue with your vehicle’s oil pressure. If the oil pressure is too low, the oil will not flow through the engine properly. Your car engine needs continuous lubrication to run, so low oil pressure could seriously damage the engine—even causing it to seize up completely.

This is a warning light that you must take seriously. If you ignore it, you could end up needing to make costly repairs to your engine, or, in the worst-case scenario, you might have to buy an entirely new engine if it runs without enough oil for an extended period.

4 Reasons Why Your Oil Pressure Light Is On

There are several possible scenarios when the dashboard oil light illuminates. Here are four common reasons why the low oil pressure light turns on:

  • Your oil level is low. To check your car’s oil level, pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick (if you’re unsure where it is, check the owner’s manual). Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean rag. Re-insert it completely and then pull it back out. If the oil is low (at or below the “add” mark), add some motor oil and see if the light goes off. If it does, problem solved. However, it’s a good idea to check for oil leaks to keep this from happening again.
  • Your oil is dirty. As oil runs through the engine, it picks up dirt and debris. If too much gunk accumulates in the oil, it could cause low oil pressure. You can check the oil condition on the dipstick when you check the oil level—the oil should be a transparent amber color and slightly runny. If it’s sludgy, dark brown or black and smells bad, then getting an oil change may solve the problem.
  • Your oil pump needs to be replaced. What if the oil light comes on but the oil is full and in good condition? Do you hear any strange engine noises? Is your engine overheating? Then it’s likely that you have a faulty oil pump that isn’t pumping the oil through the engine properly. Don’t drive until you get it fixed.
  • Your oil pressure sensor needs to be replaced. If the oil level and condition are okay, the engine is running normally, but the oil light is still on, the likely culprit is a worn-out oil pressure sensor. In this case, you can safely drive, but you will want to get the car checked out and the sensor replaced by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.

Read: How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

What to Do When Your Oil Pressure Warning Light Comes On

If the engine oil light comes on while you are driving, pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn the engine off. Next, check the oil level and condition and look for any signs of an oil leak. If everything seems normal, you should be okay to drive to the nearest auto repair shop for a more thorough diagnosis.

But if your oil is low or dirty and/or you’ve noticed strange engine noises or overheating, call for a tow truck! It’s much better to pay for a tow than for engine damage repairs. Plus, Virginia Tire & Auto customers are eligible to be reimbursed for up to $200 of roadside assistance services. 

No matter what’s going on, Virginia Tire & Auto’s expert technicians can provide a full diagnosis of your vehicle and make any necessary repairs so that you can be on the road again in no time.

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