What to Do When the Oil Light on the Dashboard Comes On?

[HectorRose]

When a yellow light on the dashboard comes on during vehicle use, it indicates that the vehicle's engine requires maintenance or servicing. Generally, it is necessary to promptly visit a vehicle repair shop for maintenance or servicing. If a red light comes on, immediately go to a 4S shop for inspection and repair, as the fault is very serious. Reasons why the oil indicator light on the car dashboard comes on: 1. Excessive oil viscosity: The viscosity of the oil is closely related to its quality. The higher the viscosity, the stronger the oil's resistance to high temperatures, and vice versa. However, higher viscosity is not always better; the oil grade should match the engine. 2. Insufficient oil volume: If the oil volume is insufficient, the oil pump's pumping capacity will decrease, or it may fail to pump oil due to air entering, leading to a drop in oil pressure. This can cause increased wear on the crankshaft and bearings, as well as the cylinder liners and pistons, due to poor lubrication. 3. Malfunction of the oil bypass valve: The oil bypass valve maintains normal oil pressure in the main oil passage. If its pressure-regulating spring softens or is improperly adjusted, or if the valve seat and steel ball's mating surface wears out or gets stuck and fails to close tightly, the oil pressure will decrease.

[Morgan]

That day when I was driving out, the oil light suddenly came on, which gave me a scare. My first reaction was that I couldn’t keep driving and had to pull over immediately, because it indicated that the oil might be low or there was an issue with oil pressure. After stopping in a safe spot and turning off the engine, I popped the hood to check the dipstick—pulled it out, wiped it clean, and reinserted it to check the oil level. If the level was low, I’d grab the spare oil from the trunk and add some, but not too much to exceed the upper limit. After adding, I’d wait a few minutes, then restart the car to see if the light went off. If it didn’t go off or there was no spare oil to add, I’d call for a tow truck to take it to a repair shop. Never force yourself to keep driving—it could burn out the engine and cost thousands to fix. Make it a habit to check the oil level every month; oil pan leaks are also a common cause, so catching it early saves money and hassle.

[LeOlive]

When the oil light comes on, immediate action is required to prevent engine damage. Here's how I usually handle it: find a safe spot to pull over and turn off the engine, then check the oil dipstick to confirm the oil level is normal. If it's low, top up the oil after it cools down—never do this when the engine is hot. Also, check if the oil pump or sensors are faulty, as oil pressure issues can sometimes be caused by clogged oil passages or leaks. After topping up, start the engine to see if the light goes off. If the problem persists, contact a professional repair shop for diagnosis—don’t risk driving further. Running the engine with low oil can cause part wear and lead to costly repairs. Regular maintenance, like changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers, can prevent this issue. Older cars are more prone to such failures, so extra attention is needed.

[MacPeter]

I've noticed that the oil light usually indicates insufficient oil pressure or low oil level. In such cases, I would stop the engine and check the dipstick. If the level is low, I'd add the same brand of oil, wait a few minutes, then restart to see if the light goes off. If it remains on, don't continue driving—call for a tow truck. Stay calm as the causes are often oil leaks, pump failure, or a clogged filter. Regular oil level checks in daily maintenance can prevent such issues—safe driving comes first.