{"id":503154,"date":"2019-01-09T10:47:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T17:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/?p=503154"},"modified":"2022-07-27T10:22:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T16:22:03","slug":"oil-pressure-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/","title":{"rendered":"Low Oil Pressure Light Coming On (4 Common Causes)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-sensor-symptoms-and-causes-of-light-on\/\">checked your oil pressure switch<\/a> or sensor and it appears to be in good condition but your oil pressure light is coming on, then it could be a problem with your engine that needs to be fixed right away.<\/p>\n<p>There are a variety of reasons for why the oil gauge won&#8217;t show the correct reading and why the engine oil pressure warning light comes ON or starts to blink. Below are the most common causes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" area-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-639b0673d6c16\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-639b0673d6c16\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/#Common-Causes-of-Why-Your-Oil-Pressure-Warning-Light-is-On\" title=\"Common Causes of Why Your Oil Pressure Warning Light is On\">Common Causes of Why Your Oil Pressure Warning Light is On<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/#1-Faulty-Oil-Pump\" title=\"#1 \u2013 Faulty Oil Pump\">#1 \u2013 Faulty Oil Pump<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/#2-Clogged-Oil-Filter\" title=\"#2 \u2013 Clogged Oil Filter\">#2 \u2013 Clogged Oil Filter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/#3-Clogged-Oil-Passages-in-the-Engine\" title=\"#3 \u2013 Clogged Oil Passages in the Engine\">#3 \u2013 Clogged Oil Passages in the Engine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/#4-Low-Engine-Oil\" title=\"#4 \u2013 Low Engine Oil\">#4 \u2013 Low Engine Oil<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common-Causes-of-Why-Your-Oil-Pressure-Warning-Light-is-On\"><\/span>Common Causes of Why Your Oil Pressure Warning Light is On<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Faulty-Oil-Pump\"><\/span>#1 \u2013 Faulty Oil Pump<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503256\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/symptoms-bad-oil-pump.jpg\" alt=\"symptoms of a bad oil pump\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/symptoms-bad-oil-pump.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/symptoms-bad-oil-pump-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/symptoms-bad-oil-pump-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Oil is pressurized in the engine by the oil pump and then this pressure pushes it through the engine. As a result, the oil lubricates the engine\u2019s components so they can move more freely.<\/p>\n<p>If <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pump-symptoms-and-replacement-cost\/\">something were to go wrong with the oil pump<\/a>, then the oil pressure would decrease and it would cause the oil pressure warning light of the vehicle to light up.<\/p>\n<p>And since there\u2019s weak oil pressure, the oil won\u2019t be able to move through the engine and lubricate the components. This will result in more friction between the components, causing higher temperatures inside the engine, and ultimately costly damage.<\/p>\n<p><em>See Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/p0523\/\">DTC P0523 (Oil Pressure Sensor Issue)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Clogged-Oil-Filter\"><\/span>#2 \u2013 Clogged Oil Filter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-505143\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/clogged-oil-filter.jpg\" alt=\"clogged oil filter\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/clogged-oil-filter.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/clogged-oil-filter-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/clogged-oil-filter-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>An engine depends on an <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/best-oil-filters-for-synthetic-motor-oil\/\">oil filter<\/a> to protect it against abrasions and wear. The job of the oil filter is to screen out solid contaminants from getting into the engine.<\/p>\n<p>These contaminants often include <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/metal-shavings-in-oil\/\">shiny metallic particles<\/a>, carbon, and dirt. If they were to get inside the engine, it would cause damage to the engine\u2019s cylinder walls, journal, and bearing.<\/p>\n<p>So, the more contaminants that get filtered, the healthier your engine will be. However, oil filters tend to get clogged after a while, especially when they are not replaced during an <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/10-signs-your-car-needs-an-oil-change-and-tune-up\/\">oil change<\/a>. Once this happens, the oil pressure in your vehicle will decrease and the oil pressure warning light of your engine will activate.<\/p>\n<p>Your car will then start to experience problems as a result of the low oil pressure. This means you must replace your oil filter immediately before the issue gets worse.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Clogged-Oil-Passages-in-the-Engine\"><\/span>#3 \u2013 Clogged Oil Passages in the Engine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-504072\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/engine-oil-sludge.jpg\" alt=\"engine oil sludge\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/engine-oil-sludge.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/engine-oil-sludge-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/engine-oil-sludge-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The oil pan or crankcase is what stores the engine oil. The oil capacity for the majority of engines is between four and six quarts. The job of the engine oil pump is to pressurize the oil and then circulate it. Once the oil leaves the pump, it will go straight to the oil filter so that its contaminants can be screened out.<\/p>\n<p>All the clean oil will then pass through the filter and enter a series of passages until it reaches the crankshaft. Because of the passages in the crankshaft, the oil is able to circulate through the bearings surfaces of the engine.<\/p>\n<p>However, if these passages got clogged, oil would not be able to flow through which would result in the oil pressure light coming on in your dashboard. Both low or <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/high-oil-pressure\/\">high oil pressure<\/a> could be the result. If the issue is not resolved, major damage to your engine can be the result.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Low-Engine-Oil\"><\/span>#4 \u2013 Low Engine Oil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503344\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/check-engine-oil.jpg\" alt=\"check engine oil\" width=\"720\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/check-engine-oil.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/check-engine-oil-100x53.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Oil lubricates the engine of the car. After a while, the level of oil may start to decrease because of a small leak. The older the vehicle, the higher chance of an oil leak (or leaks).<\/p>\n<p>Common areas of oil leaks include the <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/valve-cover-gasket-leak-symptoms\/\">valve cover gasket<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pan-gasket-leak\/\">oil pan gasket<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/rear-main-seal-leak-symptoms\/\">rear main seal<\/a>, or even the <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/stripped-oil-drain-plug\/\">drain plug<\/a>. It may seem obvious, but a <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/driving-without-oil-cap\/\">missing oil cap<\/a> due to under-tightening will almost certainly cause oil loss.<\/p>\n<p>Either that, or it may just get burnt away by the engine\u2019s normal operation. Once the oil level goes down enough, you will see that the oil pressure warning light will activate. <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/check-oil-hot-or-cold\/\">Check your engine oil level<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve checked your oil pressure switch or sensor and it appears to be in good condition but your oil pressure light is coming on, then it could be a problem with your engine that needs to be fixed right &#8230; <a title=\"Low Oil Pressure Light Coming On (4 Common Causes)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/oil-pressure-light\/\" aria-label=\"More on Low Oil Pressure Light Coming On (4 Common Causes)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002,"featured_media":503158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no"},"categories":[58],"tags":[100341,100342,100340],"modified_by":"Mark Stevens","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503154"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=503154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503154\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/503158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=503154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=503154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=503154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}