There are a lot of different warning lights that can pop up on your car's dashboard, and it can be tough to know what they all mean. One of the more confusing ones is the oil light. You might see it come on when you're braking, and you might be wondering what's going on. Here's a quick explanation.
Brake light comes on when stopping suddenly
Most of the time, if your oil light comes on when you brake, it's because you're stopping suddenly. When you brake hard, your engine oil gets sloshed around and can foamy. If there's enough air in the oil, it can cause the oil pressure to drop, which will trigger the light. This isn't anything to worry about; it's just a quirk of the system. The light should go off once you start driving again.
Low oil level
If your car's oil level is low, that can also cause the light to come on when you brake. Again, this is because of how braking affects the oil in your engine. When you have low oil, there's less cushioning between the parts of your engine, so they can hit each other and break if they get sloshed around too much. That's why it's important to keep an eye on your oil level and top it off when it starts getting low.
There's a blockage in the oil passage
If your oil light is coming on while you're driving and not just when you brake, it could be because there's a blockage in the oil passage. This could be caused by anything from dirt and debris to an old engine sealant that's starting to break down. If this is the case, you'll need to take your car into a mechanic so they can figure out what's causing the blockage and clear it out.
The engine is overheating
Another possibility is that your engine is overheating. This could be due to a number of different factors, such as a coolant leak or a problem with the thermostat. If you think this might be the case, you'll need to take your car into a mechanic so they can figure out what's causing the overheating and fix it.
You have a bad oil pump
If your oil pump is going bad, it can cause the oil light to come on. This is because the pump is responsible for making sure that the oil pressure in the engine is at the correct level. If it's not working properly, the pressure can drop, which will trigger the warning light. If you think this might be the case, you'll need to take your car into a mechanic so they can replace the pump.
Your oil filter is blocked
If your oil filter is blocked, it can prevent enough oil from flowing through the engine. This can cause the oil pressure to drop, which will trigger the warning light. To fix this, you'll need to replace the oil filter. Learn more about this here.
Oil pressure sensor issue
Finally, if your light is coming on all the time, even when you're not braking or low on oil, then there might be an issue with your oil pressure sensor. This sensor is what tells your car how much pressure there is in the engine oil system, and if it isn't working properly, it can cause the light to come on unnecessarily. If you think this might be the case, take your car into a mechanic so they can figure out what's going on.
What to do if the oil light comes on when braking
One of the most important safety features in your car is the oil light. The oil light comes on when there isn't enough oil pressure in the engine. This could be due to a number of reasons, but if the oil light comes on when you're braking, it's definitely cause for concern. Here's what you should do if the oil light comes on while you're braking.
1. Pull over as soon as it's safe to do so. The first thing you need to do if the oil light comes on while you're braking is to pull over to the side of the road. It's important that you don't continue driving because this could cause serious damage to your engine. Once you're pulled over, turn off the engine and give it a few minutes to cool down.
2. Check the oil level and add more if necessary. Once the engine has cooled down, open up the hood and check the oil level. If it's low, add more until it reaches the full line. If it's already at the full line, then there's something else going on and you'll need to have your car checked out by a mechanic.
3. Restart the engine and see if the light goes off. After you've checked and/or added more oil, restart the engine and see if the light goes off. If it does, then drive slowly to your destination and have your car looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible just to be on the safe side.
4. Call a tow truck if the light doesn't go off after adding more oil . If adding more oil doesn't make the light go off, then there's a good chance that something is seriously wrong with your car and you'll need to have it towed to a mechanic or dealership.
The oil light is one of the most important safety features in your car for a reason—it lets you know when there isn't enough oil pressure in the engine. If the oil light comes on while you're braking, don't panic but do take immediate action by pulling over and checking/adding oil if necessary. If adding more oil doesn't make the light go off, call a tow truck right away so that you can get your car looked at by a professional before any serious damage is done.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, if your oil light comes on when you brake, it's nothing to worry about—it's just a side effect of how brakes work. However, if it's coming on all the time or whenever you hit a bumps, potholes, etc., then there could be an issue with your car that needs to be addressed by a professional mechanic. As always, if you're ever unsure about what a warning light means or what to do about it, err on the side of caution and take your car into a shop just to be safe.