It can be a frustrating experience when the oil warning light comes on regularly but your car stops. And some drivers may not know what to do in this situation. Don’t worry! In this article, we will address the most likely culprit behind your problem: the oil light comes on when stopped.
Why My Oil Light Comes On When Stopped: 5 Possible Causes!
Engine oil plays an important role in maintaining engine performance. It is extremely important to ensure your car always has enough lubricating oil, not only to make your vehicle more durable but also to ensure user safety. To inform drivers about the engine oil condition, car manufacturers have integrated a warning light system to alert about engine oil-related issues.
Usually, you notice the oil light comes on and off while driving, but when this light comes on when your car stops, it’s a very rare problem. And what are the reasons, let’s find out! As we all know, oil pressure will increase and decrease depending on your engine’s RPM. When the engine stops or idles, the oil pressure decreases and as the RPM increases, the oil pressure increases. At that moment, the oil warning light comes on if the oil pressure drops too low. But that’s not the only reason, there are other causes you can consider:
Faulty Oil Pump
No matter how much oil you fill without a functioning oil pump, it’s worthless. The engine oil pump creates oil pressure in the engine. If the pump doesn’t work, the oil pressure will drop and thus trigger the oil alert when your engine stops. You can change the oil pump if it starts to show signs of wear. It should last somewhere between 60,000 and 70,000 miles in a properly maintained and regularly serviced vehicle.
Dirty Engine Oil
One of the other reasons why the oil light comes on when the car is stopped is that the engine oil is dirty or old. Failing to maintain, check, and periodically replace the oil as needed will cause the oil and some other fluids to degrade. Then, the sludge formed from the metamorphic oil will cause sensors such as the oil pressure sensor to detect and turn on the oil indicator. Therefore, it is necessary to change the oil and clean the engine part regularly to prevent dirty oil from causing the oil light to come on.
Low Oil Pressure
Low oil pressure is a case where the oil in the tank is still full, but not of sufficient quality, as this can be due to the car owner using the wrong type of oil. This problem can occur when the temperature difference between warm and cold seasons is significant. So, in summer, your car may use high viscosity oil (10W – 30), the cold season should be changed to 5W-30 to be appropriate. Otherwise, the oil warning light will come on even when your car stops. In addition to having to change the oil regularly, one must choose an oil with a viscosity index suitable for the weather temperature.
Worn Engine Bearing
Faulty or worn engine bearings can be the main reason why the engine light illuminates your car’s dashboard. Typically, an oil pump delivers a fixed amount of fluid (i.e., 20 gallons per minute). when there are signs of wear or a leak in the clearance between the engine bearings or the hydraulic lifter, your engine will lose oil pressure. Therefore, excessive clearance between the bearings due to excessive bearing wear will lead to a loss of oil pressure, especially at low RPM when the pump is running at its slowest speed.
Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor
After checking all the details, but I still can’t find the reason why the oil light comes on. It is possible that the oil pressure sensor has been damaged due to long-term dirt buildup and frequent exposure to high temperatures. However, sometimes the circuit of the warning light on the dashboard encounters problems. The quality and condition of the engine oil are measured by an oil pressure sensor. The pressure sensor will send a signal through the pressure light so that users have information, check it, and handle it promptly. Please regularly monitor the sensor’s resistance to promptly detect abnormal signs causing damage.
These are the 5 most common causes. Why does my oil light come on when I stop? Make sure to properly diagnose the causes to find the most suitable solutions. Because the process of using lubricating oil is very important for the vehicle’s operation. Therefore, when there are problems that cause the oil light to come on, it is necessary to check and handle it in time before the car’s condition gradually worsens.
Some Tips When Changing Engine Oil
- Fill just the right amount of engine oil up to the reference line, neither too little nor too much. Check the oil level gauge on the vehicle or use a dipstick for vehicles that don’t have a measuring device.
- Regularly clean the engine and vehicle parts.
- Regularly check the oil pressure sensor. The engine should not be overloaded, causing high temperatures and reducing the machine’s durability.
- Use oil with an index suitable for the temperature.
- Take your car to the nearest mechanic’s garage, to have it checked and handled quickly if you notice the oil warning light comes on.