My "Low Engine Oil" light is on. What should I do?

Orrex

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:53 AM
Original message

Poll question: My "Low Engine Oil" light is on. What should I do?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

AllegroRondo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:55 AM
Response to Original message

1. The Car Talk guys had a good one

they said the "low oil" light should be replaced with one that says "$5,000". Because if you dont pull your car over right away when it comes on, thats about what it will cost you.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Drum

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:57 AM
Response to Reply #1

3. True dat!

That's how my antique VW wagon died...while a friend was borrowing it. :(

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Hugin

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:57 AM
Response to Reply #1

4. Seconded.

It doesn't really indicate 'low oil' the idiot light indicates 'low oil pressure' which
is usually caused by some mechanical problem.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Spider Jerusalem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:55 AM
Response to Original message

2. Check the oil, and run in a quart of 10W-30 if it's low.

If it isn't, then you have a problem with your engine control module. If it IS, then you have a leak (which could be a sign of something like a cracked head or block, or a bad seal--either way, it's likely to run into some money).

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

XNASA

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 09:59 AM
Response to Original message

5. Buy a new car.

:shrug:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

1gobluedem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 10:36 AM
Response to Reply #5

6. I once bought a car rather than get an oil change

That's how much I hate them.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

riverdale

(881 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 10:39 AM
Response to Reply #6

7. Wow, you must go thru cars about every 5000 miles!

I think it is more inconvenient to purchase a new vehicle than to get an oil change. BUT that's just me!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

1gobluedem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 10:41 AM
Response to Reply #7

8. Oil changes stress me out

Especially the kind when you're in the car and you can hear the mechanics talking; overhear things like "Wow! Did you ever see that before?" Then, invariably, someone will tell me that I need to do about $600 more work on my car.

I had been planning to get a new car anyway so all the oil change thing did was hurry the decision. I've had my current car for 5 years (less than 50k on it still) and I do get the oil changes.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Midlodemocrat

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 01:36 PM
Response to Reply #6

13. Ha. I bought my new van because I was sick of driving the red one

and wanted a blue one to celebrate our Congressional victory in November.

How stupid is that?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

1gobluedem

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 01:52 PM
Response to Reply #13

15. I would absolutely do something like that

And have.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

One_Life_To_Give

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 11:29 AM
Response to Original message

9. Where's the 'It depends"

The "Low Oil Pressure" indicator is an immediate problem.
The "Low Engine Oil" is another story.

Low Oil Pressure indicators generally mean there is none or vitually no oil coming out of the oil pump and circulating through the engine.

Low engine oil means there is not as much oil in the crankcase as should be there. In the case of my truck it indicates there is only 4 quarts of oil there instead of 6. Which is more than enough to continue to run the engine, but is an indicator that this is a condition that is in the process of becoming more significant should I continue to ignore it.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

LSK

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 11:30 AM
Response to Original message

10. make friends with a mechanic

Its a HUGH money saver!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

El Fuego

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 01:13 PM
Response to Original message

11. Put oil in it right this minute or plan on getting a new car!

That happened with my very first car as a teenager. I saw the light, and I decided to drive home to ask my Dad what this meant. The engine was destroyed before I got there.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

kwassa

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 01:35 PM
Response to Original message

12. Drive out of town on a lonely highway.

That light doesn't mean anything anyways.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

krispos42

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #12

14. And don't forget to pick up the creepy hitchiker with the axe

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

qnr

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 02:09 PM
Response to Original message

16. Pull the fuse for the console idiot lights. n/t

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Oeditpus Rex

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Feb-22-07 02:20 PM
Response to Original message

17. Replace the light

That one's obviously defective.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu May 02nd 2024, 05:51 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.