To make this quick, the answer is: No, it's not safe to drive with the oil light on. In fact, it can be pretty hazardous. If the oil light is lit on your dash, you should take care of this problem as soon as you can.
What Does The Oil Light Mean?
It's important to know what the oil pressure signifies in the first place so that you are aware of your situation.
The image above shows the symbol for the oil warning light. You should not take this situation lightly, as it is an indication that your engine has lost normal oil pressure. If you see this light on, we highly suggest that you stop driving your vehicle immediately and turn off your engine.
Driving with this light on your dash can cause severe, irreversible engine damage. Although you can't determine the severity of the oil pressure problem right away, the best thing you can do is to treat it like a worst-case scenario. If the oil light is on, you may also notice other signs of low-pressure warning symptoms such as ticking, rattling, or knocking on engine sounds. You may also experience an unexpected loss of engine power or engine misfiring.
The causes of the low oil pressure issue can range from a variety of different things. Here are some of the most common reasons we've seen at Lorentz Automotive:
- Too low oil level
- Worn oil pump
- Worn engine bearings
- Engine oil leak
- Defective oil pressure sending unit
- Faulty oil pressure gauge or warning light switch
All in all, it's not safe to drive with the oil pressure light on. In some cases, it can cause a crazy accident. You should bring your vehicle to Lorentz Automotive to address the issues right away. Our service team would be happy to take a look and answer any concerns you may have. If you need oil warning light repair, give our auto repair shop a call today!