What Does the Oil Light Mean And Can I Drive if it’s On?

Vehicles can be equipped with two kinds of oil lights. One is the oil pressure light that lights up when the engine has low oil pressure. The other light is the low engine oil level light when there’s insufficient oil. However, most vehicles are equipped with low oil pressure lights.

The oil light is typically located on the dashboard and is usually red. Low oil pressure can be a sign of a wide range of issues, most notably low oil levels, and can result in insufficient lubrication, cooling, and cleaning of your engine. These can lead to major issues and permanent engine damage. You should always check for the oil light on your dashboard, as the early warning can save your vehicle’s engine.

There are two different oil lights on a car. Most vehicles only have an low oil pressure light, but some have low engine oil level light.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Why Is My Oil Light On?

An illuminated oil light can be caused by several possible issues, such as the following:

Low Oil Pressure

Oil doesn’t just passively circulate inside the engine. An oil pump pushes the lubricant through the engine’s various passageways and channels. The presence of pressure ensures all the engine’s parts are properly lubricated. Without enough oil pressure, oil wouldn’t be able to keep all engine surfaces lubricated, which can significantly accelerate engine wear. One of the main causes of low oil pressure is low oil levels. If this is the case, then you might be able to fix your illuminated oil light by topping up your engine’s oil.

That said, an illuminated low oil pressure means oil levels have already reached dangerously low levels. For example, a 4-cylinder Honda holds four quarts of oil, but the Honda’s oil light will only illuminate if there’s half a quart of oil left. If oil light is illuminated, there’s a likelihood that your engine has potentially already sustained some damage or wear.

Faulty Oil Pump

Vehicles are fitted with oil pumps that maintain an oil pressure of around 25 to 65 PSI. However, a malfunctioning oil pump can also cause low oil pressure, which might then activate the oil light. Overheating and a whining noise from the oil pump are some of the signs that your oil pump might be going bad.

Oil Leak

One of the issues that can cause oil pressure to drop is an oil leak. One quick way to know your vehicle has an oil leak is the presence of oil accumulating on the pavement underneath. You could also check your oil levels by inspecting the dipstick. Periodic oil refills can be normal, but if you regularly need to refill engine oil, then there’s likely a problem. Oil leaks can also be internal, which means oil might be leaking into the combustion chambers and being burned. If this is the case, your vehicle might emit blue exhaust smoke and create a burning oil smell.

Dirty Oil

Oil also plays a critical role in keeping your engine clean by picking up dirt, dust, and small debris from inside the engine. Eventually, this gunk can accumulate and cause blockages in your oil system. When this happens, your vehicle’s oil pressure sensor can detect anomalies. Check the dipstick to determine if your engine’s oil is dirty. If the oil is dark, smelly, and has a viscous texture, then it probably needs to be replaced. Oil naturally becomes dark and dirty over time. However, it should be replaced as soon as it reaches the end of its intended lifespan or when it becomes too dirty, whichever comes first.

Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor

The oil pressure sensor plugs into the side of your engine and monitors oil pressure. When this sensor develops issues, then the oil light can illuminate. If you’ve checked your engine’s oil levels and oil quality and have determined they’re not to blame, then the oil pressure sensor could be at fault. Without an oil pressure sensor, you also won’t be warned when your engine is running low on oil.

How Long Can You Drive With an Oil Light That’s Turned On?

Theoretically, an engine can continue to run as long as it doesn’t run into major issues. However, this is very unlikely. How long your vehicle can continue to run will depend on the issue you have and how much stress you’re putting on your engine.

If the oil light in your car is on, the best course of action would be to stop driving and check your vehicle’s oil level immediately. You should also inspect if your vehicle is leaking oil. If it doesn’t have enough oil, then you run the risk of severely damaging the engine if you continue to drive. If you ignore the oil light and continue running with low oil levels or low oil pressure, then it will only be a matter of time before the engine runs into major issues and stops working.

To find the main cause of the illuminated oil light, your vehicle needs to undergo a proper diagnosis. If it’s exhibiting any of the previously mentioned symptoms, it would be best to immediately go to a reputable mechanic who can thoroughly inspect components and use a scan tool to check for stored trouble codes.