When oil is overheated, it can either burn off completely or change in viscosity and behave more like water than oil, failing to lubricate the engine. If your oil warning light is illuminated or flashing, and your engine is making an audible clicking sound, the chances are the oil in your car is failing to lubricate the moving parts in the engine due to overheating. Your engine burning through oil is another common cause of oil warning alerts, particularly in older cars. This will ensure that oil pressure is once again regulated correctly and the flow of oil is restored, allowing the engine to function normally. If this is the case, the best course of action is to have an oil filter replacement. This can cause the oil warning light to activate. Oil filters play an essential part in maintaining the oil pressure in your car’s engine - if the filter becomes clogged or overly-dirty, oil pressure will increase and the flow will reduce. An expert technician can perform a mechanical oil pressure test, or use a full engine diagnostic test, to determine whether or not a lack of pressure or faulty gauge is the cause of the problem. ![]() Faulty wiring or a larger electric problem can cause the gauge to malfunction and provide inaccurate readings, which in turn could activate the oil warning light. If, after your oil warning light has come on, you have checked your oil levels and found them to be normal, it is possible that the issue lies within your car’s oil pressure gauge. This simple job, which can be done as part of your car’s service or as part of an engine oil and filter change package, will make sure your vehicle always has clean, fresh oil circulating through its engine. With this in mind, you should regularly check your oil light level, alongside your other key car maintenance jobs, and book your car in for an oil change every three to six months or every 5,000 miles - whichever comes first. When your car doesn’t have the right level of oil, a lack of lubrication can cause the engine to seize up or damage itself beyond repair. An engine needs oil to reduce friction between all the moving parts, ensuring it can run smoothly. This is the primary cause of oil light warning alerts. In some vehicles, warning lights may also flash to indicate urgency.Īn oil warning light may appear, or start to flash, if your vehicle is experiencing any of the following engine oil-related issues: Typically, a red light means immediate action should be taken, while orange or yellow is usually to let you know that a more minor issue needs attention. ![]() The light may appear in different colours depending on the severity of the issue it is flagging up, for example. As with all warning lights, the oil warning may behave differently depending on the make and model of car. In some vehicles, there may even be the word ‘OIL’ under or next to the light. While the specific location and image that represents the oil warning light will differ from car to car, it will typically feature on the dashboard and will resemble an old-fashioned oil can. Although most of these lights and alerts are now fairly standardised across all makes and models of vehicles, you should always consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual if you notice any you don’t recognise or understand. ![]() This process should include the warning lights on the dashboard. Where is the oil warning light and what does it look like?īefore you drive a new or unfamiliar vehicle, you should take the time to get your bearings and acquaint yourself with its specific controls, specifications and settings. However does the appearance of this warning necessarily mean that your car is unsafe to drive? In this post we take a look at what this warning light is, what it could mean if it comes on and how to go about solving the issue. The unexpected appearance of this warning light can indicate a number of different problems, from a low oil light level or a drop in oil pressure to an overheating engine. One such light that often causes confusion among drivers is the oil light. This makes it essential to understand what each light means and how serious of a problem it is indicating. In other circumstances, however, you may need to pull over and seek immediate assistance. In many cases, as long as you get the issues checked out by a trained technician as soon as possible, you can continue driving. When a warning light suddenly appears on your car’s dashboard it can be alarming, however, it’s important to remember not to panic and to stay as calm as possible - especially if this happens while you’re driving.
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