The oil light that comes on after an oil change is a cause for concern. You must understand that the light indicates oil pressure, not the oil level.
If this happens, it is bad for several reasons. Low pressure means that critical seals and friction surfaces of the engine are not sufficiently lubricated, which will lead to serious damage, such as an engine shut down due to low oil pressure.
Oil Light On After Oil Change: The Top 5 Reasons
Although after an oil change, there might still be something that turns on an oil pressure light. If this happens, you must stop the car and turn off the engine as quickly as possible. Let’s discover the reasons causing the problem:
Incorrect Oil Level
If the light comes on after an oil change, the wrong oil level could be the cause. Just like a low oil level, an oil level that is too high can cause oil pressure to be out of range.
You must first check if you used the oil with the correct viscosity grade, as indicated by the car manufacturer or your professional mechanic.
Then, unless you are sure you provided the correct oil, you should proceed to check the oil level.
If the oil level exceeds the line, please decrease it until it falls below the line. Furthermore, in case it slipped under the line, you might consider filling it to bring it to the line level.
Not Lubricating the Oil Filter
It is standard procedure to put oil in the filter before installing it. The engine oil pressure light may come on when oil pressure drops if you do not lubricate the filter. Do not make the mistake of cranking the engine during this time to pressurize the system.
What you should do is crank the starter after removing the spark plugs. When the system gains pressure, reinstall the plugs and start the engine.
Dirty Oil
Not changing the oil on time and poor maintenance can lead to sludge buildup in the engine. It will not wash away even if you simply change the fuel.
The deposit deprives sensitive engine parts of normal oil pressure. As a result, you will see the oil light come on after an oil change.
Damaged Pressure Sensor
If the light is still on after doing everything correctly, measure the pressure using a pressure gauge. If it shows that the pressure is good, the problem could be with the sensor and the circuit that activates the light.
The sensor is attached to the engine and has a probe that goes into an oil passage. Sometimes, dirt or any other particle enters the probe and triggers the sensor to turn on the light. The sensor is easy to replace and is inexpensive.
Oil Leak
An oil leak in a car might seem rare, but it is possible when an oil light flashes.
If your oil light is on even though you just filled and changed your oil, you might have an oil leak. To check it, place your car on a flat surface for a few hours and look for puddles underneath.
If there are no puddles but you suspect a leak, try filling your oil up to the maximum mark on your dipstick. Your owner’s manual can explain how to do this for your specific make and model.
When you start the automobile, make sure the oil light is off. Start driving and check if the oil light comes back on. Check your oil levels if it does. If they are low, it’s time to schedule an appointment for an oil leak repair.
Other indicators of oil leaks include a burning smell or smoke coming from the engine. These symptoms, however, may not always be present.
Bringing your car in for a full vehicle check is the best approach to rule out any engine oil issues.
Faulty Oil Pump
You can also consider a malfunctioning oil pump as a cause for the oil light coming on after an oil change .
A faulty oil pump will circulate oil inefficiently to the moving parts of your engine, causing engine noises and overheating, which can lead to more serious problems. If you suspect your oil pump is faulty, you should immediately stop driving and go to any trusted local auto shop for a full check.
FAQ on Oil Light On After Oil Change
- How long does the oil light stay on after an oil change?
Generally, you have about 2 weeks or 500 miles of driving before a flashing oil light becomes a serious problem.
However, once it reaches that point, things can deteriorate quickly, leading to catastrophic mechanical damage. So, try to get your car repaired as soon as possible.
- Is it safe to drive with the oil light on?
If your oil light comes on while you are driving, you must pull over immediately and turn off the engine. When you run low on oil, your engine may stall and refuse to start. If your automobile suddenly stops while you are traveling, you could have big problems.
- Is it serious when the engine oil light comes on?
When the oil warning light comes on, it indicates that the engine oil pressure has dropped to a dangerous level. An engine with low oil pressure can quickly damage it.
- Why is my oil level light on if I don’t need oil?
If the low oil pressure stops the engine but the oil is full and conditions are normal, or even if the engine is running normally, the most likely cause is a worn oil pressure sensor.
You can safely drive in this situation, but you must have the automobile thoroughly checked and the sensor replaced by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
- Why does my oil light flash when I’m driving?
Other issues that cause the oil light to flash include oil leaks, oil contamination, a faulty oil pump, a damaged oil pressure sensor, low engine oil level in your car, damaged oil pressure sensor cables, and a clogged oil pump or filter.
- Why does the oil light come on while I’m idling?
If the oil light flashes when the vehicle is stopped or idling, the oil sensor may be faulty or the pressure is too low. When it’s not moving, the engine must have at least 5 PSI. If the PSI is below 5, the oil light will activate and flash.
Conclusion
The oil light coming on after an oil change is a serious problem without any prior warning. It means that there is no oil flowing inside the engine parts.
If you continue to operate the car in this condition, the entire engine could be damaged. So, when the light is on, tow it to a mechanic to discover the fundamental problem and fix it.