How to reset low oil pressure light
How to reset low oil pressure light.
How to reset low oil pressure light
The engine oil is an important component in your engine. Because it lubricates moving car parts. So once you notice low oil pressure, stop your car immediately and have it checked.
Anytime your car has issues of low oil pressure, the oil light turns on your dashboard. Note that this is a serious indicator of a potentially serious problem. Remember that engines are expensive to be replaced, and this low oil pressure light can be fixed easily.
What you can do is to check your oil level first. Then wait until the car has cooled down and remove the dipstick. You can clean it with a soft cloth and reinsert it. Once done, it should give you an indication of the oil level.
So What Is Low Oil Pressure Light?
The low oil light is an indicator of a drop in oil pressure. Once this is ignored, it will lead to self-destruction. This might also lead to serious damage to the internal parts of the engine. The only prudent action for this is to flatbed the car and takes it to the nearby mechanic.
The Reasons Why Oil Light Is On
Below are a few major reasons why the oil light of a vehicle is on.
- One probable reason for this is the low pressure of oil. Once there is low oil pressure, no lubrication is possible. Note that this requires instant inspection.
- The blockage of the oil pump can be the reason. A foreign substance or particle may block the system, even if the oil levels are fine. And sometimes there is clogging in the pickup screen. If this is the case, the replacement of the part is the solution.
- Another reason could be wear and tear. Note that an old circuit can cause low pressure, and the oil light on indicates servicing in that scenario.
- The car’s oil needs to be changed regularly. The low oil light gets on if the oil has not been replaced for a long time. So check your vehicle’s manual to know the suggested time intervals for oil change.
- Sometimes ECU could be faulty. Also, the Oil light might remain illuminated even if your mechanic skips resetting the ECU after an oil change. Though newer car models are smart enough to notice that there is a need to replace the oil and they also indicate when there is new oil put into the car.
- Sometimes the oil light could be switched on when the service of your car is long due too.
Here Is How To Reset Low Oil Pressure Light
Note that there are some easy and some more difficult ways to repair a low oil pressure light. But if a simple solution does not work, a low oil pressure engine can be very expensive. This means, the more the damage, the bigger the bill.
But to reset low oil pressure light, follow the simple steps enlisted below:
- Stop The Car
You can pull the car off the road quickly. Then turn off the engine immediately to avoid serious damage to the engine.
- Check The Oil Level
Once your oil level is low, you may be getting low oil pressure light. Ensure that the oil level in your engine is correct and examine it at least once or twice a month.
- Inspect The Oil Pressure With A Manual Gauge
Inspect the oil pressure with another pressure gauge to make sure that only the sensor is sending the wrong information. Sometimes a wire may also be broken, so ensure to check if the oil pressure is correct.
- The Oil With The Right Viscosity
Be careful with the type of oil you buy. A high viscosity oil might not work well with your engine. So whenever you’re topping up your engine oil, be careful not to overfill it. Note that the viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil.
A higher viscosity oils are less effective because they do not distribute well through all engine parts. An oil with a high viscosity does not allow the oil pressure to increase sufficiently. However, to maintain the viscosity of the oil, you should change your oil filter regularly.
- Change The Oil Pump
Replacing the oil pump and filter is not a major mechanical challenge. Note that in some cars, the oil pump is located right next to the oil pan.
And to replace it, you need to just remove the oil pan. While in other vehicles, the oil pump is located inside the timing cover. So you must lift the car to remove the oil pump.
When oil pressure is low for too long, it can lead to further engine problems. And this can cause your engine to start overheating.
Conclusion on how to reset low oil pressure light
Remember that oil is vital to keep all engine moving parts, such as the cam bearings and crankshaft, moving. So once you have a low oil level in your car, you will notice the low oil pressure light. Please stop driving your car the moment you notice this, as it will cause further engine problems.
You must examine it at the next service check. But ensure that you always have the correct engine oil. An oil with a higher viscosity makes the oil pressure gauge to go up. Sometimes the problem could be with the oil sensors or the oil pressure gauge.