What is the normal oil pressure?
2 Answers
Car oil pressure varies under different conditions: 1. When driving, it should be between 0.2 to 0.5 MPa; 2. When idling, the oil pressure should not be lower than 0.1 MPa. If the oil pressure is too low, it will damage the engine's lubrication conditions, leading to poor lubrication, cooling, and cleaning, which can cause adhesive wear on parts. Excessive clearance between the crankshaft main journal and connecting rod journal and bearings, low oil viscosity, and a ruptured filter element can all result in low oil pressure. Although less common, excessively high oil pressure can also disrupt normal lubrication conditions. High oil viscosity, sludge formation, clogged filter elements and oil passages, and improperly adjusted or stuck pressure relief valves can all cause excessively high oil pressure.
I usually pay close attention to the oil pressure, especially the warning light on the dashboard. Generally, the pressure is around 0.5 to 1.5 bar at idle, and rises to 2 to 4.5 bar when driving on the highway, which is normal. The oil pressure is higher when starting a cold engine and drops as the engine warms up. If the oil light comes on or the gauge needle falls below the red line, I immediately pull over to check the dipstick to see if the oil level is sufficient. Sometimes, replacing the oil filter solves the problem. Last month, my friend's car suddenly lost oil pressure on the highway, resulting in severe engine damage that required a major overhaul. So, this is something you really can't delay, and it's important to use the correct viscosity grade when changing the oil.
