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

[Uaiwp]

The light has come on my car saying check oil level. I called the dealership and they said under no circumstances continue to drive it and that this light means that there must be a leak. The next service is due in July and it is due an oil change, I explained this and said maybe it’s just got low and they said there was no way it would come up saying check oil level unless there was a problem. I’m 10 miles from any garages and now feel I need to call out the AA or something, what would you do? I have no oil at home and wouldn’t even know how to check it. The light came on on Friday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is literally telling you what to do.

Are you at home or on the roadside?

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

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.

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.

Taken to garage, all sorted! Thanks everyone

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.