What Does It Mean When My Car's Oil Light Symbol Is On?
It can be nerve-wracking when the oil light illuminates in your dashboard. Oil is the lifeblood of an engine, and a lack of oil can have destructive consequences. Before you get too alarmed, ascertain which oil light is illuminated, do a few simple checks to see why it is on, and then figure out your next step. However, if the light turns on and your engine starts making a ticking sound, then you need to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Engine ticking combined with an oil light likely means that it's likely damaging itself, and continuing to drive it could destroy your engine.
Low Oil
If an engine is low on oil, it could set off the oil warning light. Some normal reasons for leaking oil are:
- Wrong oil filter
- Oil pan drain plug not correctly sealed
- Deteriorating gaskets
- Oil filler cap is damaged
Oil Change Light vs. Oil Warning Light
Making sure it's not just a maintenance reminder is your first step to understanding the oil light. The maintenance reminder could have the same sound and warning light, depending on your car. If you have put off your recent oil change, it may even say 'Change Oil Now.' It's not quite as bad as the oil light but ought to be corrected, so let us handle that to avoid any further issues.
Low Oil Pressure, What Is It?
Low oil pressure means internal components of the engine are not being lubricated correctly. Unlubricated engine parts can get damaged and can cause total failure. If you have confirmed the engine has the correct amount of oil, then the oil warning light could be anything from the oil pump, a sensor, or even low oil pressure. Your vehicle needs to be immediately inspected by our trained technicians in these circumstances. Running an engine on low oil will likely cause permanent damage.
Schedule Service for a Nissan Near Houston
Robbins Nissan is your ideal destination for all your auto service needs near Houston Our friendly staff is ready to get you and your vehicle back on the road safely, no matter its make or model. Schedule your next auto service with us in person or online.
