What does a small kettle icon on the car dashboard mean?
2 Answers
A small kettle icon appearing on the car dashboard indicates a low engine oil pressure warning. This generally means either insufficient engine oil or that the oil has been used for too long and needs to be changed along with the oil filter for maintenance. There are three scenarios for engine oil pressure warnings: 1. The warning appears during engine startup but disappears quickly after normal startup; 2. High-temperature warning, where the alert doesn't appear during startup but appears during normal operation or high-speed driving; 3. Continuous warning, where the alert persists from startup through operation. Engine oil consists of two components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of the lubricant, while additives compensate for any deficiencies in the base oil's performance. Engine oil serves multiple functions for the engine, including lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion protection, as well as shock absorption and buffering.
I've been driving for over a decade and am very familiar with various dashboard warning lights. That small teapot-shaped icon is the engine oil pressure warning light, indicating that the engine oil pressure is too low or there's insufficient oil. Possible causes include oil leaks, oil pump failure, or a clogged oil filter. I remember once during a long-distance trip when the light came on, I immediately pulled over to check the dipstick and found the oil level was critically low - it nearly caused engine seizure. I quickly added emergency oil before driving to a repair shop, where they discovered an oil pan leak. If left untreated, the engine could overheat or even be destroyed, resulting in costly repairs. I recommend checking the oil level monthly to avoid issues during long trips - it's both worry-free and cost-effective.