At what level does the engine oil trigger a warning?
2 Answers
When the engine oil level falls below the min mark, a warning will be triggered. Typically, a car's engine is equipped with an oil dipstick that has max and min marks. A sensor installed on the oil pan detects the oil level, and when it drops below the min mark, the vehicle will display a warning light. Engine oil serves as the lubricant for the engine. After the engine starts, the oil is delivered to various parts requiring lubrication, forming an oil film to provide lubrication. The consequences of insufficient engine oil include: 1. Inadequate lubrication, leading to increased wear and engine damage. 2. Abnormal noises due to low oil level. 3. Increased oil consumption, potentially requiring oil replenishment before the scheduled oil change interval.
After driving for so many years, I know that when the oil warning light comes on, the oil level is usually already below the minimum mark on the dipstick, which is roughly about 15% of the total oil volume. For example, when a typical car takes 4 liters of oil, the light will come on when it drops to around 3.4 liters. As soon as this light turns on, I immediately pull over to check because low oil can lead to insufficient engine lubrication, overheating, and wear—in severe cases, it might even cause engine damage. Once, while on the highway, the light suddenly came on, and I found the oil level was just a notch below the 'L' line. I quickly went to a service station to top up half a liter of oil, avoiding major trouble. I recommend regularly checking the dipstick to keep the oil level near the high mark, which reduces the risk of warnings. Also, checking the oil level every three months or every 5,000 kilometers is a good habit to keep your car running longer.
