When the oil light turns on in your dashboard, it can be nerve-wracking. Oil is the lifeblood of an engine, and a lack of it can have destructive consequences. Before you get too worried, figure out which oil light is on, do a few easy checks to see maybe why it is on, and then decide the next steps. However, if your engine starts making a ticking sound when the light turns on, you should pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Engine ticking combined with an oil light could mean that it is damaging itself, and driving it could ruin your engine.
Is It The Oil Change Light, Or Is It The Oil Warning Light
The first thing in figuring out the oil light is to make sure it is not just the maintenance reminder. A maintenance reminder may have the same warning lights and sound, depending on your car. If you have delayed getting your last oil change, it could even say ‘Change Oil Now.’ It’s not quite as bad as the oil light but ought to be taken care of, so let us do it.
Why Is My Car Losing Oil?
If the engine is leaking oil, that might set off the oil light. Some of the more common causes of leaking oil are:
Oil filter replaced incorrectly
Incorrectly sealed drain plug
Gaskets are deteriorating
Oil filler cap is broken
You can pop the hood and look for signs of oil leaks, even if you are not a licensed service tech. The engine is going to be dirty, but you can spot a potential oil leak if you see oily, wet spots. Adding the missing oil between routine oil changes can be a band-aid fix, but it can eventually cause low oil pressure if it’s not taken care of and lead to damage.
What Happens If My Car Has Low Oil Pressure?
Having low oil pressure means internal components of the engine might not be lubricated correctly. An engine that is not correctly lubricated can be damaged and can eventually cause total failure. If you have confirmed the engine has the right oil levels, then the oil light could be anything from a sensor, the oil pump, or even just low oil pressure. Your vehicle needs to be checked out by our trained technicians in these situations. As said earlier, running an engine on low oil may cause total engine failure.
Schedule Kia Service Near Kansas City
Shawnee Mission Kia is one of the best places to get an oil change in the Kansas City area. We proudly service all makes and models of vehicles. Visit our location online or in person to schedule service and repair for your car or truck. Our friendly technicians are ready to serve you.
