What Does It Mean When Your Oil Filter Light Comes On?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

What does it mean when your oil filter light comes on? When this light illuminates, it means that

the oil pressure in your vehicle's engine has dropped

, and you need to take action immediately. If you continue to drive with this light on, you may cause serious damage to your vehicle's engine.

How long can you drive with oil filter light on?

If your oil light comes on, you should try to have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Note, though, that driving around a bit more won't destroy anything. Generally speaking, you have about

2 weeks or 500 miles

of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem.

Can a dirty oil filter cause the oil light to come on?

Why would my oil light come on if I have oil?

Can I drive my car with oil light on?

How do you fix low oil pressure in a car?

One way to fix oil pressure in this case is to

use a higher-viscosity oil, such as switching from 5W-20 to 10W-30

. This slight change in oil viscosity can make up for the increased bearing clearance, increasing oil pressure back to normal.

Why is my car saying I need an oil change when I just got one?


The oil pump may not be circulating enough oil to keep the engine's parts lubricated and functioning properly

, which can in turn cause multiple engine issues. Although receiving at regular intervals should prevent this problem from occurring, parts do wear over time.

How do you know if oil filter is clogged?

If your oil filter is clogged,

the exhaust coming out of your car could be black or dirty

. When this happens, you will smell the oil burning as it passes into the exhaust pipe. These odors are a clear sign that you must bring the car into a local shop for assistance as soon as possible.

What happens when a oil filter goes bad?

If your oil filter is clogged,

it will send the exhaust gases back to the engine

. If you have a clogged oil filter, your vehicle will produce dark exhaust smokes. The smoke coming out will be soot dark and very noticeable while the engine runs for some time.

What are symptoms of low oil pressure?

  • Oil Warning Light. If the oil pressure drops below an appropriate level, your sensor may activate your oil warning light on the dashboard. …
  • Diminishing Engine Performance. …
  • Burning Oil Smell. …
  • Engine Noise. …
  • Engine Overheating. …
  • Low Engine Oil. …
  • Incorrect Oil Viscosity. …
  • Bad Oil Pump.

How do you know if your oil pump is going out?

Why does my oil light keep coming on but my oil isnt low?

How do I know if my oil pump is bad?

  1. Low oil pressure. A bad oil pump will lose the ability to properly pump oil through your system. …
  2. Increased engine operating temperature. …
  3. Noise.

What happens if you drive with low oil?

Driving with too low of an oil level can saddle you with serious problems.

Your car engine will continue to run even if it has very little oil in it

. However, eventually, the oil will run out and your engine will start to function less efficiently. The moving parts will no longer have a fluid barrier between them.

Can a bad oil filter cause low oil pressure?

Low Oil Pressure


Oil pressure drops can be caused by a clogged filter or a serious oil leak

, although leaks don't usually just happen spontaneously.

How much does it cost to fix low engine oil pressure?

An oil pressure sensor replacement can cost around

$100-$130

. This average cost splits into: Cost of replacement parts: it ranges between $50 and $60, depending on whether you pick aftermarket or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) auto parts.

Will my oil light come on if I need an oil change?

What does oil and filter maintenance mean?

Will the engine light come on if you need a oil change?

How do I know if my transmission filter is clogged?

  1. An Unexplained Rattle. Sometimes, you know exactly what's making your vehicle rattle. …
  2. Whirs or Whines. …
  3. Leaking. …
  4. Burning Smell. …
  5. Problems Changing Gears. …
  6. A Noisy Neutral. …
  7. Take Care of Your Transmission Fluid Filters.

What does a clogged transmission filter sound like?

Can you drive with a bad oil filter?

If your oil filter needs replaced, the car will not accelerate as well as it normally would, and the accelerator may feel as though it isn't working properly. The engine will run, but not as well as it should.

Continuing to drive a vehicle like this can damage essential parts of the engine

.

How much should it cost to replace a oil pressure sensor?

How much does it cost to replace oil pump seal?

The price for all these different gaskets adds up, and you'll probably end up spending close to

$150 to $200

on gaskets alone. From there, you'll need a new oil and an oil filter, and if you have to remove the front main seal, you'll need new coolant as well. Both these fluids will cost you another $100 to $150.

What does a failing oil pump sound like?

What does a car with low oil sound like?

Should your vehicle's engine run low on engine oil it could cause it to make a

loud “ticking or tapping” noise

. This noise is caused by an insufficient amount oil being pumped into the top part of the engine. A simple check of the engine oil level will help you determine if the system is low.

How do you know if you put too much oil in your car?

How many miles can you drive after maintenance light comes on Honda?

Main Code What it means: A

Replace just the engine oil

How much oil do you add when oil light comes on?

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.