What can cause the low oil pressure light to come on?
Low oil pressure means the pump isn’t circulating enough oil, or there isn’t enough oil in the system for the pump to circulate. The oil is important to keeping the surfaces lubricated, so if the oil light comes on and the pressure is low, pull over and turn off the engine.
What does low oil pressure usually mean?
When the oil pressure is low, it indicates something is not working properly. It also means there likely is not enough lubricant moving through the system. Keep in mind that lubricant starvation will lead to metal-to-metal contact and machine failure.
When does the low oil pressure warning light come on?
You may observe that the low oil pressure warning light comes on and off while you’re driving. This is because the light will come on when the oil pressure drops below 5 – 10 PSI at idle, depending on the car. Unless the pressure drops suddenly, you may also notice a knocking sound.
How can you tell if your oil pressure is low in your car?
One of the earliest signs that you may have oil pressure problems is if the warning light on your instrument panel comes on. Modern cars already have this warning system wired to sensors in the engine oil system. If the oil pressure drops to a certain level, it triggers the sensor and activates the warning light on the instrument panel.
Can a bad oil pressure sensor cause low oil levels?
An Oil Pressure Warning Light will often accompany oil pressure sensor faults. Like any other sensor or switch in your engine, eventually the oil pressure sensor will have repair issues that need to be addressed. Failing to recognize the symptoms of a bad oil pressure sensor can lead to low oil levels, which can be very problematic for your engine.
What happens if oil pressure goes down to nothing?
This is because if your oil pressure goes down to nothing, you could damage your engine to the point where you will need significant repairs, and may even need to replace the engine. So, what causes your Oil Pressure Light to come on?