What to Do When the Car Engine Oil Indicator Light Comes On?

[VonMadison]

Generally speaking, when the engine oil indicator light on the car dashboard comes on, it is mostly due to insufficient oil level, which serves as a reminder for the owner to add oil. In this case, you can open the engine compartment, check the oil dipstick's scale line, and add oil as needed. Other reasons for the oil light to come on include: 1. Excessive oil viscosity: The viscosity of the oil is closely related to its quality. The higher the viscosity, the better the oil's resistance to high temperatures, and vice versa. However, higher viscosity is not always better; you should use an oil grade that matches your engine. 2. Pressure relief valve blockage or improper adjustment: To prevent excessive oil pressure in the lubrication system, which increases engine power consumption and causes oil leaks at sealed connections, a pressure relief valve is installed on the main oil passage or oil pump. Its function is to limit the oil pressure in the lubrication system to within the specified range. A faulty pressure relief valve can lead to abnormal oil pressure, causing the oil light to come on. 3. Engine overheating: If the engine cooling system has excessive scale, poor heat dissipation, prolonged overload operation, or delayed fuel injection timing, the engine may overheat, accelerating oil aging, deterioration, and thinning, leading to leaks through various clearances, pressure drops, and the oil warning light coming on. 4. Oil filter blockage: When the oil filter is blocked and cannot circulate, the bypass valve on its base opens, allowing oil to bypass the filter and enter the main oil passage directly. If the bypass valve's opening pressure is set too high or too low, the oil pump's pressure will rise or fall, which can also trigger the warning light. Solution: Once the oil deficiency indicator light on the dashboard comes on, you should immediately take the car to a 4S shop for inspection and repair. Do not continue driving recklessly, as this may worsen engine wear and, in severe cases, cause irreversible damage to the engine.

[DelMaverick]

When the oil light comes on, I immediately pull over to a safe spot and turn off the engine. After waiting a few minutes for the engine to cool down a bit, I check the oil level on the dipstick. If it's below the minimum line, I head to a gas station convenience store to buy a bottle of the same type of oil and top it up—but I'm careful not to use the wrong type to avoid engine damage. If the light stays on after adding oil or if I find the oil level was normal to begin with, it could be a wiring/sensor issue or a faulty oil pump. Driving under these conditions risks severe engine damage, so I call for roadside assistance to tow the car to a professional repair shop. I've made it a habit to check the oil regularly, like popping the hood monthly to inspect the dipstick, to avoid panic during emergencies. This experience taught me that even a tiny warning light plays a crucial role in protecting the entire vehicle—ignoring it can lead to costly consequences.

[Hillary]

Last time I was driving, the oil light suddenly came on, and I panicked, quickly finding a safe spot to pull over and turn off the engine. After waiting for the engine to cool down a bit, I pulled out the dipstick and saw the oil level was low—turns out I forgot to maintain the oil tank on time, and it was almost empty. I temporarily grabbed the spare oil from the trunk and poured it in. Once the light went off, I drove slowly to a nearby repair shop for a full check. They found a small crack in the oil pan causing a leak. After fixing it, I learned to always glance at the dashboard lights before driving. Oil issues are the worst to delay—engine repairs can be insanely expensive. My advice: keep genuine oil in your car for emergencies, don’t take chances when something’s wrong, and drive carefully. Safety first, right?

[VonBrielle]

I pulled over and turned off the engine immediately when the oil light came on, as safety comes first when traveling with family. After waiting ten minutes for the car to cool down, I checked the oil level on the dipstick. If it's low, adding some oil might help—see if the light goes off. If it stays on, there's likely a serious issue. Don't continue driving; seek help from a professional shop to avoid more costly damage. Developing regular maintenance habits is key.