Maintenance & Service
How to Check Engine Oil
Checking your own oil takes two minutes and catches the one problem that ruins engines faster than anything else. Here…
- Reading time
- 4 min
A red oil can symbol meaning oil is not circulating at the pressure the engine needs.
Can you continue driving?
No — stop safely as soon as possible
Oil is not reaching the engine at the pressure it requires. This is not a reminder that the oil is due for changing, and it is not the same as a low oil level message: it means lubrication may have stopped.
Stop as soon as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Do not restart it to cover the last few kilometres home.
An engine turning without oil pressure can seize in under a minute, and the repair is normally an engine replacement rather than a bill. Once the engine is completely cold you can check the level on the dipstick. If the light returns when you restart, switch off again and leave it.
Before the car is driven again. If the light appeared while you were moving, have the car recovered rather than driving it to a garage.
Maintenance & Service
Checking your own oil takes two minutes and catches the one problem that ruins engines faster than anything else. Here…
Dashboard symbols are largely standardised; these are the models with guides that mention this one.
