Low oil pressure

Oil requires a specific pressure in order to ensure that the engine is properly lubricated. If this pressure drops for extended periods of time, the engine may not receive enough oil and can lead to serious problems.

Table of Contents

• 1. Symptoms
  • 1.1 Oil Gauge Fluctuates
  • 1.2 Engine Makes Noise
• 2. Causes
  • 2.1 Defective Oil Pump

Symptoms

Oil Gauge Fluctuates

Some vehicle have an oil gauge to measure oil pressure. If the gauge fluctuates during idling or driving, this may indicate a loss of oil pressure.

The gauge tends to remain steady depending on the state of the engine. For instance, the gauge may drop once the vehicle has stopped and rise once it resumes moving. This is normal. If, however, the gauge remains low upon acceleration, the engine may not be receiving enough oil.

Engine Makes Noise

A squeak or a grind coming from the engine may indicate it is not receiving enough oil. If the sound increases with the engine speed, this may be the cause.

Causes

Defective Oil Pump

If the oil pump is defective, it may not be delivering enough oil to the engine. It may be failing to pick up enough oil to lubricate the engine.