There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than seeing an unfamiliar dashboard light that reads OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE in all caps. Other vehicles may just display a low oil pressure light or an icon of an oil can. In this guide, we’ll teach you what this warning sign means, plus how to diagnose and fix the problem with help from Automotive Experts Charley Helvy and Michael Dey.
What is a low oil pressure light?
A "low oil pressure stop engine" warning light signals that your vehicle's oil is too low to properly lubricate the engine. Low oil pressure is commonly caused by a leak, infrequent oil changes, the wrong type of oil, or a clogged oil filter. Check and replace the oil and filter for a DIY fix or see a mechanic.
Steps
Common Causes & Fixes of Low Oil Pressure
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Insufficient oil levels A common cause of low oil pressure is insufficient oil in the vehicle. If you’ve recently changed your oil and find it low again, you may be dealing with oil or seal leaks.
- Symptoms: You’ve hit the 3,000-mile mark or 6 months have passed since your last oil change. The vehicle will have a decrease in performance and may produce a burning oil scent if left unaddressed.
- The Fix: Check your oil level . Remove the oil dipstick, wipe it off, then replace it and pull it back out. Inspect the end of the dipstick and see if the oil is between the maximum and minimum fill lines. If the level is low, add more engine oil using a funnel until it reaches the max line. [5] X Research source
- Cost of Repair: A quart of engine oil ranges from $4 to $20. Engines require four to eight quarts of oil. [6] X Research source
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Incorrect oil viscosity Oil viscosity refers to the fluid's flow resistance. Generally, you want to use lower-viscosity oils during colder months and higher-viscosity oils during the summer for optimal performance. If your oil viscosity is wrong, it can trigger the low oil pressure warning light. [7] X Research source
- Symptoms: Look for a decrease in engine performance, an overheating engine, and reduced fuel economy. If this is an issue, your oil pressure or check engine light will appear. [8] X Research source
- The Fix: In the case of high oil pressure, Helvy recommends draining the vehicle of the higher viscosity oil and replacing it with the correct type.
- Cost of Repair: A quart of engine oil ranges from $4 to $20. Engines require four to eight quarts of oil. [9] X Research source
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Infrequent oil changes Mechanics recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles or 6 months. Dey notes that moisture can affect the oil, especially if the car is left sitting. Because metal is temperature sensitive, the moisture in the air condenses inside of it, causing the oil to degrade over time. When you leave old oil in your vehicle, it can create a sludge that blocks oil flow. [10] X Research source
- Similarly, when an engine is old, it’ll burn more oil, requiring more frequent oil changes than a new vehicle with a modern engine. [11] X Research source
- Symptoms: An overdue oil change will cause the engine to overheat, leading to the check engine light appearing. You may also notice a burning smell or smoke from the exhaust. [12] X Research source
- The Fix: Check your oil level . If the level is low, add more engine oil using a funnel until it's just below the maximum fill line. [13] X Research source
- Cost of Repair: A quart of engine oil ranges from $4 to $20. Engines require four to eight quarts of oil. [14] X Research source
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Clogged oil filter Oil filters remove dirt and other debris from the engine oil. Naturally, the oil filter begins to clog up, which prevents perfectly good oil from flowing around the engine. This causes the oil pressure to drop, thus triggering the yellow or red light on your dashboard.
- Symptoms: A clogged oil filter will cause the low oil pressure or check engine light to illuminate. You’ll also notice your oil is dark or thick, the exhaust fumes are dirty, and the filter may leak. [15] X Research source
- The Fix: To change the oil filter , first loosen the oil fill cap to drain into an oil drain pan. Once the tank has been emptied, find the oil filter by looking for a metal cylinder attached to the engine block. Screw it off by hand or with a wrench and replace it with a new oil filter. Afterward, replace the engine oil with your vehicle’s recommended oil type and a funnel.
- Cost of Repair: A DIY replacement can cost anywhere from $25 to $70 when synthetic oil is used. A professional service can cost between $65 to $125. [16] X Research source
- Dey highly recommends staying on top of your manufacturer’s maintenance requirements. “Give [your] car a consistent deity of fluids. [Using] the same brand and type of oil, brake fluid, transmission fluids, and coolant [ensures] your vehicle will last a really long time.”
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Faulty oil pump or oil pressure sensor While some vehicles have a flashing oil pressure light to indicate a faulty sensor, with others, you may need to test the oil pump manually to determine if it’s faulty or not.
- You can also check for signs of wear and metal shavings in the oil. [17] X Research source
- Symptoms: A major sign of a faulty pump or sensor is the illumination of the low oil pressure light, an overheating engine, and excessive knocking sounds.
- The Fix: Replacing an oil pump is a complex task. See a mechanic for diagnosis and repairs if you suspect this is the problem.
- Cost of Repair: For a professional mechanic to replace your oil pump, expect to pay about $1,200-1,400. [18] X Research source
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Engine wear If your engine has high mileage, low oil pressure may be caused by an issue with the engine bearings. Worn bearings reduce flow restriction and lower the oil pressure. [19] X Research source
- Symptoms: In addition to low oil pressure, you may also hear a knocking noise in the engine. [20] X Research source
- The Fix: Helvy notes that replacing bearings is not an easy fix and should be left to an experienced mechanic.
- Cost of Repair: On average, an engine rebuild can run between $2,500 to $4,000. [21] X Research source
Preventative Maintenance
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Change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. The frequency of oil changes may vary depending on the type of oil you use and the age of your engine. For instance, if your vehicle requires full-synthetic motor oil, it can go as far as 15,000 miles between services. Regular changes can improve your engine’s performance and prolong its lifespan. [24] X Research source
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Use the correct oil type for your vehicle. Even if you change your oil regularly, using the wrong oil can cause damage. Check the engine cap or owner's manual to figure out which kind of oil your vehicle needs. A common grade of engine oil is 5W-30. The first number, 5W, indicates how well it pours in the winter. The lower the number, the better it performs. The second number, 30, indicates the oil’s weight at normal temperature. The higher the number, the thicker it is. [25] X Research source
- Look for your vehicle’s grade on your engine oil cap or in the owner’s manual.
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Inspect your oil level once a month. Use the dipstick to gauge how high or low your engine oil is at least once a month. However, some mechanics recommend checking it each time you gas up. This will help you stay on top of any engine-related issues quickly, like burning oil or a slow leak.
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Avoid high-speed driving, sudden accelerations, and harsh braking. Aggressive driving can lead to a faster degradation of oil, and decrease its pressure. A moderate driving style, like maintaining a consistent speed and following state speed limits, can help prevent excessive oil loss. [26] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
Warning
- If the oil pressure low stop engine light comes on, pull over into a safe location and avoid driving until you or a professional can diagnose the problem. Driving with this light on your dashboard can cause severe engine damage and may put your life at stake. Drive responsibly.
References
- ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a35865614/dashboard-warning-lights-explained/
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/oil-change-light
- ↑ https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/owners-and-services/my-car/warning-light/engine-oil-level.html
- ↑ https://www.cummins.com/sites/default/files/files/brochures/Cummins%20Driver%20Lamp%20Identification%20Card%204971518.pdf
- ↑ https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/change-oil.php
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/what-oil-does-my-car-take
- ↑ https://www.lubezone.com/blog/what-causes-low-oil-pressure/
- ↑ https://www.repco.com.au/know-how/wrong-oil-car
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/what-oil-does-my-car-take
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a24676402/old-motor-oil/
- ↑ https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/31182/low-oil-pressure
- ↑ https://www.benmynattnissan.com/blog/overdue-oil-change-symptoms
- ↑ https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/change-oil.php
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/what-oil-does-my-car-take
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/oil-filters/10-signs-you-need-a-new-oil-filter
- ↑ https://www.kbb.com/oil-change/
- ↑ https://www.gopurepower.com/blog/how-to-increase-oil-pressure/
- ↑ https://repairpal.com/estimator/oil-pump-replacement-cost
- ↑ https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/31182/low-oil-pressure
- ↑ https://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/signs-of-a-worn-out-engine-bearing
- ↑ https://www.carparts.com/blog/rebuilding-an-engine-purpose-benefits-and-cost/
- ↑ https://www.chloesautorepair.com/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-your-oil-light-on
- ↑ https://www.rymax-lubricants.com/updates/what-is-high-oil-pressure-and-how-to-solve-it/
- ↑ https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/How-Often-Should-You-Change-Engine-Oil
- ↑ https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/what-oil-does-my-car-take
- ↑ https://store.advancedenginetech.com/blogs/blog/how-to-fix-low-engine-oil-pressure