When driving on the highway and preparing to accelerate, if you suddenly see the oil warning light come on, and you don’t know what to do, stop the car on the side of the road. After restarting, if the oil warning light no longer flashes, remember that only normal oil pressure can ensure that oil is delivered to all friction surfaces of the engine. Too high or too low oil pressure will affect the normal operation of the engine and may even cause damage to the engine components. Therefore, when the oil warning light flashes, you should immediately stop the vehicle and find the cause. Do not continue driving, otherwise it may lead to serious engine problems such as cylinder explosion or crankshaft damage, which would require a major overhaul to fix.
In most cases, the flashing oil warning light indicates that the oil pressure is too low due to insufficient oil supply. This reduces the oil pump's ability to deliver oil or causes air to enter the system, leading to a drop in oil pressure and the warning light flashing. Another reason could be blockage in the lubrication system’s pipes, the oil filter, or the oil pickup screen, which also leads to reduced oil pressure and insufficient oil supply. The most common scenario involves significant leaks or blockages in the oil lines or damaged parts in the oil pump due to wear, assembly issues, or excessive clearance, causing the pump to fail or provide insufficient oil.
Additionally, there is another situation where the oil warning light may flash, but this is usually a false alarm. This occurs when a short circuit happens while the car is running, triggering the oil warning light. In this case, the driver should not panic but instead pull over immediately, open the oil cap, and check if there is enough oil. If the oil level is sufficient, and the oil supply is normal with a functional sensor, you can continue driving. However, if the oil level is insufficient or other problems exist, call for assistance; otherwise, it may damage the vehicle. It should be noted that for new drivers, if they cannot determine whether it's a false alarm or a real one, it's best to consult with a repair technician or call for help rather than making a blind decision.