Is this car issue really terrible? Please help - I know nothing about cars!

Don't panic. There will be a dipstick under the bonnet so you can check the current oil level. If you're not sure where it is or what it looks like, then a quick Google of your car make and model will show you.

Checking the oil level is easy and you'll find lots of easy videos on YouTube to show you step by step.

A low oil level does NOT necessarily mean that there's an oil leak. Older cars, particularly older diesel cars, tend to burn oil sometimes and just need topping up. If you park in the same place regularly (like a driveway) have you noticed any oil stains on the ground?

If you don't know what type of oil you need to top up with, it will be in the owner's manual in the glove box. Alternatively, some places like Halfords will have a chart to work it our. Otherwise, a good motor factors will be able to help you.

You either need an oil and filter change or you need an oil and filter change.

It's perfectly fine to drive. Take it to the nearest garage.

FallenRaingel · Today 10:33

No one else has mentioned it yet but check your oil is clear, not black and no residue around the top. This indicates a huge problem.

Unless the car is a diesel, the oil in a diesel is almost always black, even soon after it's been changed. There should definitely be no residue around the top though.

You can buy engine oil in supermarkets, petrol stations and home bargains.
Make sure you have the correct one though, google your car oil requirements, then top it up. It really is very easy.

Was wondering the same. Although my ex mechanical engineer friend, had no idea what his tyre pressure should be. 🤦🏼‍♂️

Are you at home or on the roadside?

It is literally telling you what to do.

Find the dipstick and check the level. It's not hard. In my engine, the dipstick has a yellow handle. It's really long and thin. Super bendy. It will have two lines, probably with hatching between them. Wipe it off and put it back in the little hole ot came out of. Pull it out again and see where the dark oil line is in relation to the two lines. The line nearest the end is low, the line nearest the handle is high. I'd suspect you will be at the low line, or lower.

Or look in your car manual for how to check the oil. It will tell you where the dipstick is. It's on one side of the big chunky engine and will go into the engine.

Oil is important as without it, your engine can seize. If it does that it can't be repaired.

No one else has mentioned it yet @Uaiwp but check your oil is clear, not black and no residue around the top. This indicates a huge problem.

If it's an annual service you have then topping up oil throughout the year will occasionally happen. It shouldn't be a regular thing.

Get the correct oil and leave the engine to be cold before you top up the oil, don't do it as soon as you get it if you have to drive to collect. There will be an indicator level.

Check your coolant level while you're there. If it's dropping too that's a major concern.

ETA if lights come on that aren't normally on, it's generally not safe to drive the car until they have been checked.

Check it today. I know how easy it is to think I'll check it tomorrow but tomorrow never comes. Your manual or YouTube will show you how for your car. Like others have said, all garages sell oil. If you go to Halfords, you might even find a friendly chap who will do it for you.

Just don't delay.

This is the sort of thing that most people are confident doing to their car. And it's fairly quick. So ask anybody you know if they can help. Next door neighbour, child's friends Dad etc. In my experience people like be asked to help.

As above - this is a serious issue and needs dealing with before you drive the car again. Age, miles, model and engine in your car, as well as how many miles a year and when you last serviced it would be a helpful detail.

However, it is common and some cars 'drink' oil or leak it (some even 'grow' oil, but that is another story.). I had a car which needed monthly checks and top ups.
Find a family member, friend or neighbour who can come and check the oil level on the dipstick (some are now digital...). You then just need to top up the level until it is 'right'.
If this has not happened before, get a garage to do a check for you for leaks or issues.

You weren’t going to drive it til the service in July, I’m sure, so that’s not relevant. You also should check it very promptly once the light comes on, don’t drive it for ‘a few days’.

How do you think it’s going to stop being low?! You need to top it up. Easy job as PP have explained. You can sort this, no need for AA.

When did you check it last?

Check online what kind of oil it needs, drive to nearest garage and buy some. Top it up there and then.

Biggest issue is likely to be how tight the cap is screwed on. Last time this happened to us the light came on near the end of a long journey. Went to nearest garage the next day and neither of us could get the cap off. Fortunately a local with many tools used something out of his truck and was really helpful.

Not in my test although I passed in 1992. I do know how to check oil though

Check oil level on the dipstick (there are YouTube videos if you're not sure)

Go on Halfords website and find which oil your car takes (eg mine has 5W30)

Order bottle of oil from Amazon

Fill up oil

It’s probably just a bit low so yes you need to check.

also it’s probably not ok to keep driving around “for a few days”. It’s fine to drive to a garage or a shop to buy oil but carrying on your usual routine is taking a chance…

Why on earth don't you check your oil?! It's basic car maintenance.

What type of car is it OP?

The garage is partly talking shit. No, you mustn't drive it cos the engine can seize & that's a dead car.

But! A check oil light is exactly that, check oil cos it's low as it's been used up. Assuming it's an ordinary car or it's not only just been topped up, there's no reason for them to assume a leak, that's just weird.

In your manual it will tell you the kind of oil you need, most petrol stations carry it in 5l bottles or just get some delivered from amazon for tomorrow. Check the dip stick by pulling it out, drying it & dipping it back in, the wet line should in the kinked part & it won't be. Refill when the oil arrives via the oil cap.

If the light comes back on after a couple of days then sure, a leak.

Have you checked the oil level with the dipstick or is it a newer car that doesn’t have a dipstick? Either way I wouldn’t drive it until you’ve got oil in it or you could seriously damage your engine. If you think there’s a leak check the ground where you’ve been parked, if no oil patches it probably just needs topping up.

Then it needs to be checked as above. The engine will not explode