What does it mean when the engine oil light stays on after a car self-check?
2 Answers
It is normal for the engine oil light to stay on after a car self-check. The light will turn off once the engine is started. If the light remains on after starting the engine, you should check whether the engine oil level is sufficient. A car self-check refers to the process when the car is first started, during which various indicator lights on the dashboard will illuminate for 2 to 3 seconds before turning off automatically. If any indicator light remains on, it indicates a fault in the corresponding system of the car, requiring attention. For example, if an oil can symbol appears, it means you need to add engine oil. After adding oil, start the vehicle and check the oil level again after turning off the engine for 3 minutes. This is because when changing the engine oil, the oil filter also needs to be replaced. The new oil filter initially contains no oil, so after starting the vehicle, oil will flow into the oil filter.
A few days ago when I was doing a self-check before driving, the engine oil light came on and gave me quite a scare. I immediately pulled over to inspect. Checking the dipstick confirmed the oil level was indeed low, probably due to not topping it up for too long. Additionally, a worn oil pump or clogged oil passages can also cause insufficient pressure, triggering the warning light. The self-check is an automatic system test when starting the car - if the light comes on, it indicates potential issues that shouldn't be ignored. I've seen cases where people overlooked this, resulting in severe engine wear and repair bills running into thousands. So I'd advise against driving right away - first check and top up the oil level, and if that doesn't resolve it, head straight to a repair shop for diagnosis. Safety always comes first.
