The cause of car oil lights on when you drive, before reviewing further let’s learn why and how the oil indicator lights turn on when on the road.
The car oil indicator light is on because your engine oil pressure has dropped dramatically. Car engines need a fixed supply of oil to lubricate all of their parts. Therefore, the car should not be allowed to run for long without adequate oil pressure. Driving without sufficient oil pressure can damage your engine significantly.
Do This Way When the Oil Indicator Light Is On
The oil light indicator that lights up indicates that the pressure or volume of the oil is reduced and must be added immediately. When the oil light is on while driving, act immediately by doing these five ways:
1. Pull over to the side of the road and turn off the engine
When your engine oil lights are on, immediately look for safe opportunities to pull over the car as quickly as possible. If the car continues to run, the moving engine parts are not properly lubricated and result in severe damage to internal components. However, at this time the safety of you and passengers should be a top priority. Turn off your car after pulling over on the road.
2. Check engine oil with a dipstick (measuring stick)
Once the car is safe on the side of the road, open the hood of the car and check the oil level using a dipstick. Find the location of the dipstick in the machine container and lift it. Wipe the oil in the indicator section with a tissue or washcloth. After that, put the dipstick back into the tube. Now, take back the oil dipstick and see how much oil is in the indicator section.
3. Look for leak symptoms
If previously the oil was still filled a lot in the engine but now there is little, the possibility of car engine oil seeping or burning because there is an internal leak. Look down at the car to find indications of a leak. If there is oil dripping from under the engine, it is likely that the gasket has been torn or the oil filter is not tightly attached to the car.
4. Add oil if the amount is less, then double check the oil lamp
Your oil lamp may turn on because the amount of oil in the system is not enough to maintain adequate pressure. Buy the same type of oil that is in your car’s engine, and pay attention to the weight of the oil (5w30, 10w30, etc.). After that, fill the engine oil until the dipstick indicator reaches the “full” line. Turn on the engine, and see if the oil light is still on.
5. Try not to drive if the oil light is back on
If the light is still on even though the oil has been added, the problem is likely to lie in the oil pressure. The oil pressure is generated by the oil pump pushing the oil towards the engine. If this pump does not work, the engine will not be properly lubricated and will be severely damaged if it continues to be driven.
See Also: Best Car Oil Brand Recommendations for All Types of Cars
