What is the car indicator light that looks like a teapot?
3 Answers
The car indicator light that resembles a teapot is the engine oil warning light. It's normal for this light to illuminate briefly when starting the engine. However, if it remains lit while driving, it indicates an engine malfunction, and the vehicle should be inspected and repaired immediately. Possible causes for the oil warning light include insufficient oil pressure, which may result from common failures such as a damaged oil pump or faulty oil pressure sensor. Engine oil (also called motor oil or engine lubricant) is a substance enhanced with additives in base oil, primarily containing anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and multi-grade viscosity index improvers, used for lubricating internal combustion engines.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, let me tell you that the teapot-shaped light on your dashboard is the oil pressure warning light. I was confused when I first saw it too, but later learned that you must pull over immediately when this thing comes on. The engine relies entirely on oil for lubrication and cooling - oil starvation can cause piston scuffing or even bearing seizure. Last week, my colleague had to spend 8,000 yuan on an engine overhaul because of this. My advice: pull over right away, turn off the engine, wait five minutes for the oil to drain back, then check the dipstick. If the level is below the minimum mark, quickly add half a liter of the same oil grade. Keeping a bottle of 5W-30 oil in your car is really practical - I once used it for emergency refill on the highway. If the light stays on after adding oil, it's probably a faulty oil pump or sensor, and you'll need to call a tow truck immediately. Remember: never ignore red warning lights, though you might barely make it to a repair shop with yellow ones.
I've been into car modifications for six or seven years and often share automotive knowledge on Xiaohongshu. This magic lamp-like icon is the engine oil warning light, usually appearing in red or yellow. A red light indicates critically low oil pressure, requiring immediate engine shutdown—otherwise, bearings can fail within five minutes. A yellow light buys you some time, but prompt inspection is still necessary. It's wise to keep a spare bottle of oil in the glovebox; this trick saved me last year on National Highway 318. When checking, always wipe the dipstick clean before reinserting for measurement—oil level should reach two-thirds between the min/max marks for safety. Pro tip: Never open the oil cap immediately after engine shutdown as hot oil may spray and burn your arm. For engines with upgraded turbochargers, oil pressure alerts become more sensitive—monthly oil consumption checks are recommended, as performance cars burn through oil remarkably fast.
