Luckily, checking your oil level is simple! Start by consulting your owner's manual. It'll guide you through the following steps and let you know where to look for various pieces and parts. Pop your hood and locate your vehicle's oil dipstick—it usually has a yellow or reddish handle. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off using a clean rag. Put the dipstick back in and remove it again to get a fresh oil reading. If the residual oil on the end of the dipstick is at or below the "add" mark, then it's time to get an oil change.
If your oil light comes on when braking, it could also be a sign that your oil is low. Oil is, after all, a liquid. And if your tank isn't quite full, oil has room to slosh away from the oil pressure sensor, especially when you brake. Big thanks, inertia! It could also mean that your engine's oil has gotten too dirty. How does engine oil get dirty? As it runs through the engine, it can pick up dirt, dust, and small debris, causing gunk to build up.
While you might still have the correct amount of oil in your car, the blockage can trigger your oil light. Check for dirty oil the same way you check your oil level—examining the oil on the dipstick. Clean oil should be transparent, an amber-like color, and a bit runny. If your oil looks super dark, has a funny smell, or is thick and sludgy to the touch, it's probably old and should be changed. Cart Serving DC Metro Since Here are things to check if your Oil light comes on maintenance Share: When your vehicle warns you of an oil problem, what looks like an old-fashioned oil can will illuminate on your dashboard.
Here are some things to check if your oil light has come on: Once you have parked your car in a safe place, check the oil level.
This can be done with the dipstick. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth, and then put it back into the vehicle. If the dipstick is dry or there is not very much oil on it, you may have a low oil problem. There are several things you can look out for, smell, hear, or feel, both while driving and by The information contained in this website, or any of our content, videos, and publications is for general information purposes only.
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What this means for the families we serve and our employees:. Your car motor mount is the connecting point between the chassis and engine. Its components comprise of a combination of rubber and metal.
More From Our Blog. Search for:. Book Online. Schedule an Appointment. Learn More. What Is the Importance of Oil Pressure? Recent Posts from Our Blog. Electrical issues and trouble with the wiring can cause the gauge to malfunction and produce a false reading. A technician will need to perform a mechanical oil pressure test to determine whether there is a lack of pressure or not. Clogged or Dirty Air Filter — Oil filters play a key role in maintaining oil pressure.
If the filter becomes clogged, it will increase the pressure and reduce the flow. A pressure relief valve on the oil filter prevents the pressure from getting too high. This affects the oil pressure depending on the time of year.
High viscosity oil prevents oil pressure from building rapidly. Engine Overheating — An overheating engine is not just a headache for the driver. It has a similar effect as using a lower viscosity oil than the vehicle requires.
Faulty Oil Pump — While not as common, a faulty oil pump may create wider passageways between the rotors causing a drop in the rate of flow. Worn Out Internal Components — Each component in the engine contributes to the combustion process.
When these components fail, the oil may unintentionally enter the combustion chamber and get burned, resulting in a drop in the engine oil level and pressure.
This is easily recognized as it often produces a blue smoke that exits through the tailpipe.
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