Oil Warning Light On? What It Means and What to Do Straight Away

Red means stop

On most cars the oil warning light is a red oil can symbol, and it means oil pressure is too low. Without pressure, oil is not being pushed around the engine to protect the moving parts, and serious damage can happen in a very short time.

If the red oil light comes on while you are driving, pull over as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Do not keep driving to get home.

Amber or yellow oil lights

Some cars have a separate amber or yellow oil warning, often with a wavy line under the can or a message on the dash. This usually means the oil level is low rather than the pressure. It is less urgent, but you should check and top up before driving much further.

How to check your oil

Park on level ground and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, push it fully back in and pull it out again. The level should be between the minimum and maximum marks.

If it is low, top up with the oil specification listed in your handbook, a little at a time, rechecking as you go. Some newer cars have no dipstick and show the level on the dashboard instead.

If the level is fine but the light stays on

If the oil level is correct and the red light still comes on, do not drive the car. The cause could be a failing oil pump, a blocked pick-up, a faulty sensor or internal engine wear, and only testing will tell which.

We can check the actual oil pressure with a gauge, which tells us whether it is a real pressure problem or a sensor fault.

Help with oil warnings in Oldbury

If your oil light has come on, call us on 0121 544 3736 before driving any further and we will advise on the safest way to get the car to us on Park Lane in Oldbury.