Oil warning light · Autobedrijf Willemsbrug Rotterdam

Oil warning light on? Stop and check the oil level

Oil warning light on while driving? A red oil light means the oil pressure is too low. Stop as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Below you can read what you can do yourself and when it is better to have the car brought in.

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The short answer

If the red oil light (also called the oil pressure light) is on, the oil pressure is too low. Often there is too little oil in the engine. Stop as soon as it is safe, switch the engine off, check the oil level after ten minutes and top up if needed. If the light does not go out after starting, do not drive on and call your roadside assistance.

To have the cause found, you are welcome at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde. We check the oil pressure, look for leaks and check the oil pump and the sensor. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. Call +31 10 479 00 00 during opening hours with your registration number. We work by appointment. For a quick question or check, you can walk in without an appointment.

Jump to: red or orange · causes and oil level · frequently asked questions · directions

Red or orange oil light?

Pay attention to the colour of the light and to when it comes on. These situations are common:

  • Red oil can: the oil pressure is too low. Stop as soon as it is safe
  • Orange oil light: on some cars the oil level is low
  • The light flickers at idle or in a bend
  • The light stays on, even though the oil level is fine
  • The light comes on after an oil change
  • You often have to top up oil

Do not drive on with a red oil light. Without enough oil pressure the engine can suffer serious damage within a short time. Stop, switch the engine off and call your roadside assistance if the light stays on. Read what to do with a breakdown on the road.

Why oil pressure is so important

Oil lubricates the moving parts in the engine. The oil pump pumps the oil through the engine under pressure. That way metal parts do not touch each other directly and the engine stays cool enough.

If there is too little oil or too little pressure, the bearings and other parts wear very quickly. That is why the oil light is red. According to the ANWB, red means stop and pull over straight away.

If the oil level is fine and the light is still on, the problem may be in the oil pump, the oil pick-up strainer, the oil filter or the sensor. We find that out for you.

What we do when your oil light is on

  • Check the oil level and the condition of the oil
  • Check the oil pressure
  • Test the oil pressure sensor and the wiring
  • Look for leaks at the engine and the oil filter
  • Read the fault codes
  • Check the oil pump and the pick-up strainer if needed

Extra work is only done with your approval.

Oil warning light on: what you see and what to do

This table shows what the light often means and what is best to do. Check your car’s handbook as well, because the lights differ from make to make.

Oil warning light: what you see, what it can mean and what to do
What you see What it may mean What to do
Red oil can on while driving The oil pressure is too low, often because of too little oil Stop safely straight away, engine off, check the oil level
Orange oil light: an oil can with a wavy line underneath On some cars: the oil level is low or the oil level sensor has a fault Check the oil level and top up oil
Red oil light flickers at idle or in bends Too little oil, or an oil pump or sensor that is not working properly Stop, check the oil level, have it checked
Red light stays on, even though the oil level is fine Oil pump, pick-up strainer, oil filter or the oil pressure sensor Do not drive on, call roadside assistance
Red oil light comes on after an oil change Wrong oil, too little oil or a filter that is not fitted properly Stop and call the garage that changed the oil
You often have to top up oil A leak or an engine that uses oil Look for a leak and check the oil consumption
Oil pressure warning on a PureTech engine Possibly pieces of the wet timing belt in the oil system Engine off as soon as it is safe, do not drive on, call roadside assistance. Read our PureTech file (in Dutch)

Checking the oil level yourself

Park the car as level as possible and wait at least ten minutes after driving. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, push it all the way back in and read the level. Ideally the level is halfway between the minimum and the maximum. According to the ANWB, there is usually about a litre between the two. Check the level every month.

Oil pump, sensor or leak

If the oil level is fine and the light is still on, the oil pump, the pick-up strainer, the oil filter or the oil pressure sensor may be the cause. If you often have to top up oil, there is a leak or the engine is using oil. According to the ANWB, more than a litre per 1,000 kilometres is too much. We find out for you.

We work on all makes and models, including hybrid cars. You are also welcome with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg.

Oil light or engine warning light?

The red oil light is about the oil pressure. The engine warning light is orange or yellow and is about the engine management or the emissions. With the red oil light you stop straight away. With the engine warning light you can usually still drive carefully to the garage. Read more about the engine warning light.

Our repairs come with a warranty. When we give you the quote, we tell you which warranty applies. Call +31 10 479 00 00 for a check or a quote.

Frequently asked questions about the oil warning light

No need to click. All the answers are already open below.

What does the oil warning light mean?

The red oil light, usually an oil can with a drip, means that the oil pressure is too low. According to the ANWB, this is often caused by too little oil. Without enough oil pressure the engine is not lubricated properly. The engine can then quickly suffer serious damage.

What should I do when the oil light comes on?

Stop as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Wait at least ten minutes and then check the oil level. Top up oil if needed. If the red light stays on after starting, do not drive on and call your roadside assistance. The ANWB gives the same advice.

What is the difference between the oil light and the engine warning light?

The red oil light is about the oil pressure. Then you stop straight away. The engine warning light is orange or yellow and has the shape of an engine block. It is about a fault in the engine management or the emissions. You can usually still drive carefully to the garage. Read more about the engine warning light.

My car has an orange oil light. Is that the same thing?

No. On some cars an orange or yellow oil can with a wavy line underneath means that the oil level is low or that the oil level sensor has a fault. That is less urgent than the red light, but do top up oil as soon as possible. Check your car’s handbook to see what the light means on your model.

How do I check the oil level?

Park the car as level as possible and check the level with the engine cold, or wait at least ten minutes after driving. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, push it all the way in and pull it out again. Ideally the level is halfway between the minimum and the maximum. Some cars have no dipstick. There you see the level on the dashboard. This is explained by the ANWB.

How much oil should I top up?

According to the ANWB, there is usually about a litre between the minimum and the maximum. If the level is at the minimum, top up about half a litre and check again. Do not overfill. Too much oil puts the seals under pressure and can cause leaks.

Which oil should I top up with?

The correct oil is listed in your car’s handbook. Do you not have that oil to hand? According to the ANWB, oil that is not quite the right type is better than no oil. Have the correct oil put in at the next opportunity. Read more about oil changes.

The oil light stays on, but the oil level is fine. What now?

Do not drive on. The problem may then be in the oil pump, a blocked pick-up strainer, the oil filter or the oil pressure sensor. Call your roadside assistance and have the car brought to us. We check the oil pressure and find the cause. Read how that works under breakdowns on the road.

The oil light flickers at idle. Is that serious?

Yes, take it seriously. At idle the oil pressure is at its lowest. If the light flickers then, or in a bend, there is often too little oil in the engine. Stop as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off. Check the oil level. If the level is fine and the light still flickers, do not drive on and call your roadside assistance.

How much oil consumption is normal?

A little oil consumption is normal. According to the ANWB, more than a litre per 1,000 kilometres is too much. That can point to a problem with the engine. So check the oil level every month. If you see oil under the car, also read about a puddle under the car.

I have a PureTech engine and get an oil pressure warning. What now?

Switch the engine off as soon as it is safe. Do not drive on and call your roadside assistance. On some PureTech engines from Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel, pieces of the wet timing belt can get into the oil system. Read more in our file on PureTech problems (in Dutch).

The red oil light comes on after an oil change. How is that possible?

Then there may be too little oil in the engine, the wrong oil, or the oil filter is not fitted properly. Stop in a safe place and switch the engine off. Call the garage that changed the oil. Do not drive on with a red oil light showing.

Can I drive my car to you?

Yes, but only if the red light is off and the oil level is fine. If the red light stays on, do not drive and have the car brought to us by your roadside assistance. We do not have our own tow truck. Outside opening hours your roadside assistance can leave the car in front of our door at your own risk. Put the key in an envelope in our letterbox.

What does a repair cost after an oil warning light?

That depends on the cause. Sometimes topping up oil or a new sensor is enough. Sometimes there is a leak or the oil pump has to be replaced. That is why we find the cause first. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. Our repairs come with a warranty. When we give you the quote, we tell you which warranty applies.

Can I bring a van or motorhome too?

Yes, up to 3,500 kg. A Volkswagen Crafter or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter up to 3,500 kg is welcome too. Read more about van repair and motorhome repair.

Oil warning light checked in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You can find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is a five-minute drive away. You can park for free in front of the garage if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is close by.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. We work by appointment. For a quick question or check, you can walk in without an appointment.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Is your oil warning light on?

Call us during opening hours with your registration number. For a quick question you can also walk in. You will hear the cost in advance and we only start once you agree.

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say.

Also see our pages on the engine warning light, oil changes, a puddle under the car and breakdowns on the road.

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