Why is my oil lamp on?
When you see a little light on the dashboard, it usually means one thing - something is wrong! Although these lights rarely appear, they can be very scary when they appear, especially when they are annoying drip cans. Have you run out of oil or leaked oil? How long has the light been on? How urgent is this? Before you panic, first understand what the oil indicator on your car means, what the problem may be, and how to solve it.
What does it mean when the oil lamp is on?
When the oil indicator on the instrument panel lights up, it may mean that your vehicle has low oil pressure. The decrease of oil pressure may be a signal of something: insufficient oil, dirty oil or oil leakage.
How do I know if my engine oil is insufficient?
Engine oil should not be used forever. Even if you don't burn like gasoline, it will eventually get lower after driving enough. Although almost every vehicle has a system to monitor the oil pressure, not all vehicles are equipped with an oil pressure gauge on the instrument panel. This is why it is best to check the oil level at the source!
Fortunately, checking the oil level is easy! First consult the owner's manual. It will guide you through the following steps and let you know where to find various parts and assemblies. Open the hood and find the dipstick of the vehicle. It usually has a yellow or red handle. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag. Put the dipstick back in place and take it out again to obtain a new oil reading. If the residual oil at the end of the dipstick reaches or falls below the "Add" mark, it is time to change the oil
If the oil indicator lights up when braking, it may also be a signal of insufficient oil. After all, oil is a liquid. If your fuel tank is not very full, there will be room for oil to overflow from the oil pressure sensor, especially when you brake. Thank you very much, inertia!
How do I know if my oil is dirty?
Unlike the gasoline lamp that lights up when the oil level in the fuel tank is low, the oil lamp that lights up does not always mean that the oil volume is low. This may also mean that your engine oil is too dirty.
How does the engine oil get dirty?
When it passes through the engine, it collects dust, dust and small debris, causing dirt to accumulate. Although your vehicle may still have the correct amount of oil, a blockage may trigger the oil lamp.
Check the oil for dirt, just like checking the oil on the dipstick. The clean oil should be transparent, amber, and a little flowing. If your oil looks super black, has a strange smell, or feels very thick and dirty, it may be old and should be replaced.
How do I know if my oil is leaking?
If your oil lamp is on, but you have recently changed the oil, you may leak oil. To check for oil leaks, park your car on level ground for a few hours, and then check for puddles on the ground below.
If you do not see any puddles, but still suspect a leak, try to top up the oil until it reaches the full mark on the dipstick. (Your owner's manual can guide you how to perform this operation for your specific brand and model). When you turn on the car, make sure that the oil lamp goes out. Start driving and see if the engine oil lamp lights up again. If yes, check the oil level. If the oil level is low, it's time to make an appointment for oil leakage repair.
Sometimes, oil leakage can cause other symptoms, such as burning smell or smoke from the engine. However, these symptoms may not always occur. Generally, the best way to eliminate any problems related to engine oil is to bring your car in for a complete vehicle inspection.
My engine oil is very good, but the engine oil lamp is still on.
The oil indicator on the instrument cluster does not always mean that the oil level is low, leaking or dirty. Conversely, this may mean that the oil pressure sensor or the oil pump needs to be replaced.
Is my oil pressure sensor broken?
Your oil pressure sensor is a small plug type sensor, which monitors the oil pressure of the vehicle and notifies you when the oil pressure is below a certain limit. But like everything else in your car, it may wear out, sending the wrong signal and triggering your oil lamp.
To check the oil pressure sensor for wear, remove the sensor using the oil pressure sensor socket. Unless you have your own tools and expertise, ask professional technicians to troubleshoot the oil pressure sensor.
Is my oil pump broken?
A bad oil pump cannot effectively circulate oil to the moving parts of the engine, which usually leads to engine noise and overheating, which will snowball into more serious problems. If you suspect that the oil pump is broken, please stop driving immediately.
Oil is the lifeline of vehicles. Without it, you can't go far, which is why many technicians believe that regular oil change is one of the most critical aspects of vehicle maintenance.
