The oil pressure gauge on your car’s dashboard is used to indicate the pressure of the oil inside the engine, not as many people believe, to tell you if the oil level has fallen too low, although the oil pressure will also fall if the volume of oil in the engine decreases. The only time you should see the oil pressure gauge light up is when the ignition is first turned and the oil pump starts to pump oil around the car’s engine, as it takes a few seconds for the working pressure to be achieved. Other than that the lamp should never be lit.
If the light stays on after ignition or comes on while you are driving take immediate action. Low oil pressure is deadly to engines. It can damage and engine beyond repair in only a short time.
There are many reasons why the low oil pressure gauge may fall. Here are just some of them.
The level of oil is too low. This should be the first thing you check. If necessary wait until the car’s engine has cooled down then use the dipstick to make sure the level of oil is between the manufacturer’s recommended minimum and maximum levels as etched onto the bottom of the dipstick. If the level is too low top it up with more engine oil, make sure you do not overfill the oil pan.
Oil levels also fall if the oil is leaking or if it is being burnt inside the combustion chamber. If the seal is leaking between the combustion chamber and the pistons then oil will enter the chamber and you will see a blue tint to the smoke coming out of the exhaust.
If you have an external oil leak you will quickly be able to tell by the oil patch under your car. Finally there is the fourth possibility. Oil pressure is measured by the oil pressure sensor, which could be faulty. This problem often gets overlooked. If you cannot find the cause of low pressure remember the oil pressure gauge could be receiving a false reading.
Investigate more about you engine’s oil at the oil pressure gauge guide blog.
