We are all familiar with engine warning lights blinking away merrily on the dashboard – but few of us really know what they mean, and we pay little attention to them. Sometimes we don’t notice them until it’s too late. In this series, we look at the engine warning lights – and what they mean.
When it Comes On
All cars have an oil pressure warning light. A little like Aladdin’s magic lamp, but far more important! This light will come on when your car detects low oil pressure. Your vehicle needs oil to keep the engine lubricated and running smoothly. Don’t ignore your oil warning light: by acting swiftly, you can prevent causing costly damage to your vehicle. If you notice your oil pressure warning light come on while you are driving, it means that your oil levels have dropped.
Some vehicles have an amber warning sign – if the oil icon on your car flashes amber, it’s telling you about a potential problem. Get your vehicle to a local garage as soon as possible.
What to Do
As soon as you notice your engine oil light flashing red, pull over safely and switch off the engine. Whilst it is important that you don’t run the engine without enough oil, you need to make sure that you pull over somewhere safe. Don’t be tempted to drive all the way home or to a garage – the longer you run your car without enough oil, the greater the risk of damage.
Once you have pulled over safely, check the oil using the dipstick. If you have checked or topped up your oil recently, you could have a leak. Look under your car for signs of an oil leak, such as oil dripping from the engine. If you see a leak, it could be due to a blown gasket, or a loose oil filter, but be careful: if oil is dripping, it will be extremely hot. If you can’t see a leak and your oil level is not low, the warning light could be due to a lack of oil pressure; contact your garage and book your car in immediately to get checked.
Once you have checked your oil levels and topped them up if necessary, it is safe to continue your journey. However, if your oil light comes on again, stop immediately. There is a possibility that a recurrently flashing oil light could be due to an electrical error, rather than a problem with your engine. Either way, it is not safe to continue driving until you are sure. If you are in any doubt, contact a local garage who should be able to quickly diagnose any problems and allow you to continue driving safely, without putting you or your vehicle at risk.