Oil light on car

WisestIsShe · 08/06/2021 19:20

There's a difference between the service light indicating that it needs an oil change, and the oil light which indicates the oil level is low. Which is it?

Bamoon · 08/06/2021 19:20

I would do it as soon as you can, it can invalidate your insurance as well.

Moonshine11 · 08/06/2021 19:21

I was going to say what @WisestIsShe said

Ratonastick · 08/06/2021 19:22

Oil light is an immediate job. You may have two indicators, first an orange light then a red one which could be why your DH thinks he can wing it. But possibly it just comes on when it needs dealing with, depends on your car. But basically as soon as the oil light comes on you need to deal ASAP, driving 100 miles is pretty likely to fuck your engine potentially beyond repair. In future, also worth checking your oil every couple of months and topping up if you need to as you should never actually see your oil light.

Donotgogentle · 08/06/2021 19:22

I wouldn’t mess with the oil levels. Apparently the engine can seize up and be wrecked if it runs out.

I realise that’s a different issue to changing the oil but you might want to check the level.

Ivy48 · 08/06/2021 19:23

It won’t invalidate anything if it’s just come on! My partner drove his for another 1000 miles due to work commitments etc. The lights telling you to book it in ASAP but no need to panic. It could be tomorrow
Or next month! You’ve just done the mileage recommended for the oil change, and that’s all it is a recommendation. Book it in when it’s suitable

BarbaraofSeville · 08/06/2021 19:24

Is it the oil service light or the 'you have no oil left' light?

Oil service light is reminding you that the oil needs changing sometime soon and in my experience, always comes on ages before it is due, like 1000 miles or a month. Check your service book to double check when the oil change and full services should be carried out.

If it's the 'you have no oil left' light then it needs topping up ASAP (in my experience, these come on far too late, when the oil is too low and you're at risk of engine damage).

But then that's just topping up the oil and anyone can do that, you just need to buy some oil and put it in - again look in the book to see what kind you need, there's loads of different types.

But you should be checking the oil level at least once a month anyway, without relying on lights, but it totally depends on the car how much oil it uses. A lot of newish cars don't need any extra oil between services, but some older cars need regular top ups.

Ivy48 · 08/06/2021 19:24

Although if this is a low oil light I’d be with you and sort it out ASAP

Bitchysideisouttoplay · 08/06/2021 19:24

I always say better safe than sorry with cars, but there again I know naff all about them. So if a light comes on I get it to the garage asap as I really dont want to cause damage that can be avoided

Original poster

MancyNitford · 08/06/2021 19:24

It's the light that comes on to indicate the oil change is due. It's orange. It's not the low oil light.

OP posts:

Shitfuckcommaetc · 08/06/2021 19:24

The service light? It will be fine!!!!

The actual oil warning light, stick the dipstick in and top it up if needed.

Fuss over nothing tbh OP

BarbaraofSeville · 08/06/2021 19:25

Cross posted with most others, but LOL at I would do it as soon as you can, it can invalidate your insurance as well where on earth did you get that idea from?

Ratonastick · 08/06/2021 19:26

Ignore my previous if it’s just the oil service light rather than the warning light. But I would check your levels anyway. Your handbook will tell you what oil you need and it’s a 5 minute job to top up.

Shitfuckcommaetc · 08/06/2021 19:27

Im not sure how not changing the oil can invalidate insurance??

I change my own! No ones ever asked me to prove it

Original poster

MancyNitford · 08/06/2021 19:29

It has a warning that flashes up on the dash display that says change oil, then another little orange oil warning light. I promise I'm not a complete car noob. I know that you can fuck up the engine if the oil gets too low, but I'm super cautious with this car as it cost me quite a lot of money. I can't not take DM to hospital either on Thursday, so if it needs doing, it will have to be done tomorrow.

OP posts:

RampantIvy · 08/06/2021 19:30

My friend ignored her oil light and ended up having to pay for a new engine.

If you have a 100 mile trip then get the oil changed before you go.

Or make sure your breakdown insurance is up to date.

Moonshine11 · 08/06/2021 19:32

I would get it done before you go, it doesn’t take long at the garage

HeronLanyon · 08/06/2021 19:32

In order of relevance -
Instruct manual says ‘ASAP’.
100 mile trip
Dm to hospital reason for journey
First nice car

Each on its own would mean to me do it now. Taken together even more so.

Your dh May at be right of course.
I would think an oil change could in fact be delayed a little more than a low oil warning.

I’d do it now.

3LittleDucksQuack · 08/06/2021 19:35

Top up before you go or get it changed

EarringsandLipstick · 08/06/2021 19:44

Oil change should be part of a scheduled service. If the light is on, that service is likely overdue.

I agree that it's unlikely to need doing absolutely immediately BUT I wouldn't make any kind of medium / long trip until it was sorted. I'd be too nervous; other people may not more relaxed!

BarbaraofSeville · 08/06/2021 19:44

@MancyNitford

It has a warning that flashes up on the dash display that says change oil, then another little orange oil warning light. I promise I'm not a complete car noob. I know that you can fuck up the engine if the oil gets too low, but I'm super cautious with this car as it cost me quite a lot of money. I can't not take DM to hospital either on Thursday, so if it needs doing, it will have to be done tomorrow.

If it's the oil change service light and it's only just come on, and there's sufficient oil in the engine, it really doesn't need doing tomorrow.

It gives you about a month's warning, so all the time in the world. What does the service schedule say about how often it needs changing and when it was last done?

BusyLizzie61 · 08/06/2021 19:57

@MancyNitford

Me and DH are having a row about the oil light on the car. The light has come on today indicating that the oil needs changing asap. I want him to try and get it into our little local garage tomorrow to do it because I have a 100 mile round trip to take DM to hospital on Thursday. He's telling me it's just an advisory and it'll be fine. I'm not so sure. The book says to get it sorted immediately, which to me means it would probably be fine for a few very local miles until we get a chance to get it done but not to go on a longish journey. This is the first decent car we have had and I don't want to bugger it up! Who is right?

Well it seems your options are: 1. YOU get the car into the garage and take some ownership over the issue. 2. Change the oil yourself or ask your oh to. 3. You take the car and risk ruining the engine.

Ultimately, you're the one that needs the car, so you should be sorting the issue. Given you paid for it and refer to it as "your" car, it is your issue to sort.

PawsQueen · 08/06/2021 20:01

What's the servicing schedule? (This is my job!)
Also what car is it? Don't say Land Rover

motogogo · 08/06/2021 20:12

If it's the low oil light buy some oil and top up yourself

delilahbucket · 08/06/2021 20:14

We had a warning to "change the oil soon" in our car a couple of weeks ago, with the service not actually due until July. It has just been serviced today. We've driven about 200 miles before getting it done. If it's a new car and it's the service light coming on, it isn't an immediate thing you need to get done.

Oil light on car

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