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Health & Fitness

Correct oil pressure is critical. Do you know what to do if the dashboard light turns on?

If the oil light on your dashboard is illuminated, it's best to have your vehicle towed and let a mechanic figure out what is wrong before any damage is done.

One  dashboard light most of us recognize is the old-fashioned oil can. But do you really understand what it means and what can happen to your vehicle if you ignore it?

Let’s start with the basics: Your engine oil performs several duties. The first is to lubricate the dozens of metallic parts in the engine and reduce friction so that they move smoothly. The second is to help disperse heat that the engine generates, preventing the parts from melting or being damaged by the heat. A third job of the oil is to collect dirt and debris and relocate it to the engine oil filter.

When you first turn your engine on, the low oil pressure warning light automatically lights up but then should go off within a couple of seconds. If it stays lit or comes on while driving, get to a safe place and turn the engine off immediately. This light means you are either losing or burning oil, which is a major problem, or that the oil pressure unit that sends the alert has failed, which is a relatively minor problem. But you probably won’t know which problem it is unless you get it checked out.

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If your oil pressure light comes on, it’s best to have your vehicle towed and let a mechanic figure out what is wrong before any damage is done. If there is an oil leak, you might need gaskets and seals replaced, or perhaps the oil filter simply wasn’t installed properly during your last oil change. If the engine is burning oil, you could need any number of internal engine parts replaced, including valve guides or piston rings.

The problem also might be a worn or broken oil pump, a plugged oil pickup screen in the engine’s crankcase, possibly a plugged oil filter or excessive bearing wear. And if you’re lucky, it might just be a failed oil pressure sending unit.

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If that light flashes on, don’t delay. Pull over and get to a mechanic to evaluate your vehicle and get you back on the road before any serious damage is done.

Mark LeBlanc is the owner and founder of Gages Lake Auto & Light Truck in Gages Lake. He started in the automotive industry in 1984, excelling as an Automotive Technician for more than 20 years until he opened Gages Lake Auto in 2006. Mark is an ASE-Certified Master Technician with L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certification. He holds a Fuel & Diesel Certificate from Lincoln Technical Institute in Melrose Park, IL and a philosophy degree from Harper College. You can reach Mark via email at service@gageslakeautorepair.com or by phone at (847) 548-2277.

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