Archer Volkswagen Maintenance Tips: 4 Things To Know When The Oil Warning Light Comes On In Your Car
Archer Volkswagen Maintenance Tips: 4 Things To Know When The Oil Warning Light Comes On In Your Car
When it's working right, the oil system shields your vehicle's engine from damage that would otherwise be sustained from friction and heat building up inside. Think about it -- the engine in your car spins at something like 1,000 revolutions per minute at idle, and potentially several thousand RPMs under heavy load! That's a lot of friction. The engine oil helps keep everything running smoothly. But, if there's a problem with the system leading to a low oil pressure condition in the engine, that could lead to major engine damage. Find out below what to do when the oil pressure warning light comes on in your Volkswagen.
4. The Color Of The Warning Light Matters
In general, your dashboard has two classes of warning light: yellow (or amber) and red.
When a yellow warning light comes on, it typically indicates that your vehicle has developed an issue that needs to be seen by a mechanic -- but the vehicle remains safe to drive to our service center. For example, an amber check engine light indicates that your engine isn't running quite right, and will need service to give you the performance and efficiency you expect. Continuing to drive for weeks or months is likely to make the problem worse over time, so don't delay in getting this light checked out.
However, a red warning light (or a yellow light that is blinking instead of solid) indicates a severe problem that could lead to profound engine damage or create a major safety concern. A red warning light indicates that your vehicle isn't safe to drive. When you see a red warning light in your dashboard, pull over the car and find a safe place to park as soon as possible. Then, have your vehicle taken to our service center for an in-depth diagnostic.
3. What The Low Engine Oil Light Means
In a modern Volkswagen, a low oil pressure light is a red indicator, meaning low oil pressure a severe problem. Without sufficient engine oil, metal components will slide against one another unprotected -- meaning excessive heat from friction and the possibility of metal scoring and other damage. Letting the engine run when this light comes on could cause the engine to destroy itself entirely! Instead, stop the vehicle as soon as you see this warning light.
2. What You Should Do Immediately
To prevent the engine from overheating and friction damage from taking place in the engine's cylinders, pull the car over and contact a towing service immediately. If you need help finding a reputable towing service, give us a call and we'll be glad to help! Whatever you do, don't continue to drive the car like normal.
That's because a lack of oil pressure means oil can't reach all the parts of the engine. This could be due to something like a bad oil pump or clogged oil filter. Or, there may simply be insufficient oil inside the engine to keep it properly lubricated. We can add more oil to your engine, but we'll also want to check the engine for leaks or internal damage allowing the engine to consume the oil by burning it.
1. How You Should Get Back On The Road
Once you have this problem diagnosed by a technician, they'll be able to give you a quote for a long-term fix. Once you're back on the road, keep a close eye on your engine oil temperature gauge, and keep an eye out for another warning light. Our technicians have all the parts and expertise they need to get your engine fixed right the first time, but hidden damage to your engine may contribute to engine overheating or an oil leak leading to low oil pressure. If you experience any additional warning lights, give our service team a call right away.