Oil lamp. How long can you drive after the signal is on?

Even in the conditions of regular maintenance of his car, his owner may find himself in a situation where, 500 km after leaving the service station, the low oil pressure lamp lights up (oil signal). Some of the drivers immediately go to buy oil and top up, while others go to the service station.

There are those who are sure that this is a common computer error and continue to drive at their usual pace. What is the right solution in this case?

This is what the oil indicator / oil lamp looks like?

Indicator The oil level indicator is usually depicted as an oil can combined with a drop of oil. When the oil lamp is activated, it lights up in yellow or red. In some cases, the indicator starts flashing red.

In "position 1" when the ignition is on and the engine is off, the oil level warning lamp lights up red.

If, after starting the engine, the correct oil pressure is created in the system, the control lamp should go out. This ensures that the oil circuit operates correctly every time the engine is started. 

What does the oil signal look like (oil lamp)

What does it mean when the oil light on the dashboard comes on?

When the oil light on the dashboard comes on, it may mean that your vehicle has low oil pressure. There can be several reasons for a drop in oil pressure and they differ significantly from each other: you have a low oil level, your oil is dirty, or you have an oil leak. Let's look at all the options in more detail.

Oil pressure indicator signal types

When an oil lamp lights up, the first thing that matters is what color it lights up and whether it stays on or just flashes. The following options are common:

• Oil lamp stays red
• Oil light flashes or stays on at low engine speeds
• Oil lamp comes on or flashes when cornering, accelerating or braking
• The oil lamp lights up even though there is enough oil 

When the oil level drops, the warning light on the dashboard turns on either yellow or red. Not every car owner knows about this feature. A yellow warning appears when the level drops by about one liter. Red, on the other hand, signals a critical level. Both sensors work independently, which is why they are activated under different conditions.

1. The oil lamp is erratic and flashes (for some manufacturers: "Min" (no oil))

In this case, you should definitely stop by a gas station or a parking lot. First, turn off the engine. After that, wait a few minutes. Then check the oil level with the dipstick.

If the oil level is sufficient, you need to go to the nearest workshop. If the oil level is below normal and there is a gas station nearby, you can top up the oil yourself.

When the yellow oil lamp flashes but does not stay on - in this case, the flashing indicates a malfunction in the engine oil system. Here, an engine check in a car workshop is inevitable to find a problem in the engine's oil system.

The oil lamp flashes. Oil pressure indicator.

A gasoline engine often requires less oil than a diesel analogue, and if the car owner drives the car calmly, without sudden accelerations and heavy loads, the yellow color may not light up even after 10 km.

2. Oil level indicator lights up solid red or orange

In this case, you should immediately turn off the car and have it towed to a workshop. If the oil lamp is constantly on, it means that there is no longer enough oil to guarantee safe driving.

Yellow signal lamp oil

Yellow Signal Oil Lamp

If the yellow oil color is activated on the sensor, this is not critical for the engine. The friction parts of the engine are still sufficiently protected and it is usually not necessary to turn off the engine to add oil. As soon as it falls below the critical level, a red signal will light up on the panel. Under no circumstances should it be ignored.

If the oil warning light turns amber or orange, the engine has a low oil level. The oil level must be checked and the oil added to the engine in a timely manner.

If the oil level is OK, another possible cause of the problem is a bad oil level sensor.

Red signal lamp oil

If the red color on the dashboard lights up, this means that the oil has dropped to the minimum (or maybe lower) level. In this case, there are problems with starting the engine. Which means only one thing - oil starvation will begin very soon (if it has not already begun). This situation is very harmful to the engine. In this case, the car will be able to drive another 200 km. After it is extremely necessary to add oil.

The oil lamp is red

But even then, it's better not to risk it and seek help, because the red light can mean other problems besides a sharp drop in level.

• Engine oil level too low
• Oil pump defective
• Oil pipeline leaking
• Oil switch defective
• Cable to oil switch broken 

Before replenishing the level, it is necessary to find out why it has fallen so sharply. Among them, damage to the oil pump, for example. Running with insufficient oil will certainly damage the engine, so it's best to shut it down right away. Other causes of oil leakage are described in another article.

TOP 5 reasons why the oil lamp lights up!

If you know everything about your car - when the indicator lights up on the dashboard, you will have nothing to worry about. We have prepared for you an informative list of five things you should know about your car's oil system. Here we will analyze what these oil indicators on the dashboard mean. 

1. Difference between oil lamp alarm and oil change reminder

Your car, like most cars, is equipped with a device that will remind you when maintenance is due. A message or light may appear on your dashboard indicating it's time for an oil change. Maintenance Reminder speaks for itself, but it's always best to make an appointment with an authorized service center where they not only take care of changing the oil, but they can also reset the reminder light.

When you see oil warning light, this is a more serious matter. This lamp usually looks like a genie's lamp that glows red with OIL written on it. Any red warning light that comes on on your car's dashboard indicates that your car needs service. This should be done as soon as possible to avoid serious damage. 

If level indicator light onasla - this means that the oil pressure in the engine has dropped to a level below normal. Is it dangerous. An engine running at low oil pressure can quickly damage it.

2. Low oil pressure

When the low oil pressure light comes on, you should turn off the car and not use it until the problem is fixed. Yes, it's annoying and inconvenient, but it's better than spending a lot of money and time on expensive engine repairs. When the oil pressure light comes on, it's not always a sign of a serious problem. It often happens that this indicator lights up when the oil pressure sensor needs to be replaced. This is a simple and inexpensive task.

3. Low oil level

When the amount (volume) of oil in the engine decreases, the oil pressure in the engine also decreases. This is bad for the "health" of your engine. You should check the engine oil level regularly. Checking the oil in a car is pretty easy. We will write about this further. If the oil level is too low, it's time to add the recommended type of oil for your engine. You can find out which type of oil is best for your vehicle in your vehicle owner's manual.

4. Engine oil pump not working

If the oil level is normal and the sensor is working properly, then the next reason the low oil pressure indicator may be on is low oil pressure in the oil pump. The oil pump is located at the bottom of the engine inside the oil pan and is quite difficult to replace. In this case, the right decision would be to make an appointment at a car repair shop. It is worth noting that this is not the most common problem. If by chance you encounter this problem and end up in a workshop, it will be a quick and not very expensive repair.

5. Engine oil is dirty

Unlike the gas light, which turns on when the fuel level in the tank is low, a lit oil light does not always mean that your oil level is low. It could also mean that your engine oil has become too dirty.

How does engine oil get dirty? As the oil passes through the engine, it picks up dirt, dust, and small debris, causing dirt to build up. While your vehicle may still have the correct amount of oil, a clog can cause the oil indicator to go off.

Why can the oil level drop. Causes?

The oil level indicator may turn on in the vehicle when the engine oil level is low. This can happen for several reasons such as:

• Hole in the oil pan
• Bad seal or gasket
• Worn piston rings
• Clogged oil filter
• Leaking valve seals

Each of these causes can lead to loss of oil and a low level in the engine. As a result, the oil level warning light will come on. If you see this indicator light up, it is important to stop driving, turn off the car engine and check the oil level as soon as possible. 

What is engine oil for?

Oil is necessary for the normal operation of the engine. It serves to savor engine parts and their smooth operation. Over time, the oil degrades and becomes less effective for lubrication. Therefore, it is important to change the oil regularly. If you don't change your oil or use the wrong type of oil, your engine can be damaged. Depending on how often you drive and what kind of oil your car uses, you may need to change the oil every few months or every few thousand miles (kilometers).

Is it safe to drive with the oil level warning light on?

If you notice that the oil level warning light comes on, it is generally unsafe to continue driving. The engine needs oil to lubricate moving parts and cool it. If there is not enough oil, the engine will overheat, which can cause serious damage. Sometimes driving with a low oil level can cause the engine to seize and require a complete replacement!

If you have no choice and must drive with the oil level warning light on, be sure to keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If a engine temperature reaches the red zone, stop immediately and turn off the engine. Overheating the engine will cause irreversible damage!

What to do When Your Oil Light Comes on! | VW & Audi

How long can you drive with an oil light on?

While the oil level indicator is on, you should not drive more than 50 kilometers (miles). If you're driving on the highway, it's best to find a safe place to stop and call for help. If you are in the city - you can try to get to the nearest service station. However, if the oil level warning light is flashing, the best solution is to stop immediately and turn off the engine. As we said above, driving with an oil level warning light can damage your engine.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the oil lamp on the dashboard.

In this section, we have collected the most common questions about the oil warning light or the engine oil pressure and level indicator. Here you can find the answer to any of your questions. So:

What are the consequences of driving with a burning oil lamp?

Neglecting a burning oil indicator can lead to financial losses. The risk of breakdowns and serious damage to the engine is not uncommon. Be serious about turning on the oil level warning light and act accordingly. Check the car in a workshop or call technical assistance if you are not sure. Driving with low oil levels or pressure will significantly shorten the life of your engine.

Why does the oil light come on when braking?

If the oil light comes on while braking, this could also be a sign of a low oil level. Oil is a liquid. At the minimum allowable oil level - it moves from the oil pressure sensor, especially when braking. It's just inertia!

How to understand what is a little dirty?

Check for dirty oil the same way you check the oil level. This can be done simply by inspecting the oil on the dipstick. Pure oil should be clear, amber in color and slightly runny. If your oil is very dark or black, has a strange smell, and is thick and viscous to the touch, it is likely old and needs to be replaced.

Dirty and clean engine oil

How to check the oil level?

1. Park the car on a level surface, turn off the engine and wait 10-15 minutes for it to cool down. Modern cars are equipped with dipsticks that allow you to correctly read the oil level even when the engine is warm. 
2. Find a red or orange plastic tab under the hood - this is the dipstick. 
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
4. Wipe the dipstick (from handle to tip) with a clean cloth or paper towel. 
5. Reinsert the dipstick all the way, wait a second, and then remove it again.
6. Check the oil level on both sides of the dipstick. Indicators at the bottom of the stem will let you know if the oil level is low, normal or high.

Checking the oil level

How to detect an oil leak?

To check for oil leaks, leave the car on a level surface for a few hours and check the ground underneath for puddles. If there are no puddles - and the oil level drops - this means that the engine is consuming oil or there is a hidden leak. In both cases, you need to go to the workshop.

How to understand that the oil pressure sensor is faulty?

The oil pressure gauge is a small plug-in gauge that monitors the oil pressure in your vehicle. It can wear out and give false signals that activate the oil level indicator. To find out if your oil pressure sensor is working, you need to remove it. It is better to contact the workshop.

How to understand that the oil pump is faulty?

If you suspect your oil pump is at fault, stop driving immediately. A faulty oil pump will not efficiently circulate oil and lubricate your engine's moving parts. This often results in engine noise and engine overheating. This may result in engine damage. You need to go to the workshop.