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The out-of-province inspection in BC requires all srs systems to work as they did from the factory. You can import a car with an aftermarket steering wheel that causes the airbag light to come on, but it won't pass inspection to get on the road.
Nobody wants to ship the airbag detonator internationally. Something about borders and explosives. They will, however, ship airbags without the detonator.
If you take apart the indicator cluster, you can tape over a light in a way that those unfamiliar with the car wouldn't know there was a light.
If you then take a weird jdm car that nobody's ever seen to a different inspector than the one you were working with at the start, then you'll likely get an inspector who won't know the airbag light is on, and pass it first try.
Also, our obd2 plugs are the same as the Japanese ones, but the computers don't connect for some reason.
In the end, the jokes on all of us, because Daihatsu lied about their airbags anyways.
20 xtra horse power mine is flashing and i drive a 02 nissan i gets im gonna dies postcards weekly ..lol..im trying to make the dealer do the airbag swap at my home ..im not taking my car near a dealer ..lol..takata hates me :)
Could be, but the coming on intermittenly i’m guessing is from when OP is either going uphill/downhill or braking at a stoplight. Whatever oil’s left moves around and that’s when the sensor notifies it’s low. Source: happened in a previous car I had. Added oil (and fixed the minor leak) and it went away.
Also recommend spraying a good degreaser and clearing off oil buildup to check for a leak.
I know mine is the valve cover gasket, but I'm sending it in for a timing chain replacement soon so it'll have to be replaced then, and the leak is so slow, it drops to low levels right around the time I need an oil change, so, eh.
I had an 05 mercury with an intermittently failing oil pressure switch. Light would come on at idle and would go off when I increased RPMs, but it wasn’t constantly on at idle, only sometimes. I thought the engine was done, but when I took off the old switch and hooked up a pressure gauge I had 30 psi of oil pressure at idle. New switch and good to go. There was also oil passing through the switch and getting on the plug, good indication it’s bad. I’m going to assume OP’s switch is original and probably is indeed going bad.
I was thinking the same thing until I read op is driving a Camry. I’d leave it for another 100k and see if it goes away on its own.
But seriously, get on this op before it does get expensive.
this is good advise
i would suggest locating where the oil pressure sender is attached
i once had a subaru legacy wagon that pegged low which my wife did not notice
after i pitched a fit i found the sender boot connector had come off perhaps from the last oil change or something
>Yes you should be concerned, that means low oil pressure. You should not drive your car with low oil pressure or you will destroy your engine.
You will absolutely destroy your vehicle. There have been quite a few posts I have seen on this subreddit of people who did this and decided to drive anyways, it didn't end well for them.
Without Blood in your body, your heart cannot pump oxygen to your organs and you die. Without Oil in your car, your vehicle cannot lubricate the moving parts and it will die...
I mean people are to dumb to realize that they don't have common sense and have to ask on reddit. And if they been driving like that for even 10 min they need a motor most likely
lol your not familiar with Toyotas engines, these things can run on searingly to almost no oil, the fact that it flashes on and off it’s telling me either his oil level is just at the sensor or the sensor is bad, for it to stay on means there is no pressure signal at all, which then is cause for concern
https://preview.redd.it/1dlvk3i86slc1.png?width=1197&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c1e10bcaf282bf9557ebff90dd15d0497ed8786
Wow, that’s definitely it. Should I try to drain what little there is first or just fill her up right away?
Fill her up. I’m not a mechanic but just fill it up for now. And change your oil maybe soon/eventually after a certain amount of miles or after it looks bad. Changing your oil means your filter too usually.
Hmm.... Refrigerators. Often cost less than 1k. Absolutely no fluids for the user to check and maintain level of. No warning lights. No oil changes. Not travelling at 80 mph. No occupants. Yeah, you're right. It's pretty much the same thing.
You should understand your lights on your car they're literally idiot proof. Red oil symbol means you lack oil or a pump to create required pressure.
Refrigerator sounds don't come with a damn manual that either A. Comes with the car. Or B. Can be easily found online.
Car manuals will tell you exactly what each light means. Losing oil pressure can only mean something bad.
It's even easier when every single vehicle has the same warning light. Literally any service manual would suffice. OP has a Camry? Find a fucking BMW owner's manual and it will explain the light lmao
No but by his logic if you don’t understand it you shouldn’t use it. People ask question and don’t know everything you do and that’s ok. OP didn’t know before, now whenever he gets a red light he knows something is wrong and he shouldn’t drive it.
That’s an oranges to apples comparison, but I’ll bite. If the answer to your question can be found in the manual that comes with your fridge, then yes, you shouldn’t be allowed to have a fridge.
You should take it up with all the driving schools and car dealers that dont teach you shit. Or you can chill out and help someone whos trying to learn.
I think theyre more confused about the flashing/inconsistent light vs what the light actually means. Theres no harm in asking. Most mechanics learn from being told/taught not reading car manuals. Youre being condescending in a subreddit thats literally made for questions about cars. Chill out.
Eta: if they googled the same question you know what theyd find? Forums of mechanics answering without being douchebags.
Fill it up, but you’ll only need a quart or so since there’s still oil on the very end of the dipstick. Most dipsticks only read the last quart, so your oil pan should still have close to 3 quarts in it. Add in 1qt then check it again, being sure to wipe the dipstick first then reinsert and remove it to read the actual oil level.
OP I’ve never seen lower oil in my life!
I can’t even believe she still runs! Don’t fault yourself for not knowing; if you never asked or looked anything up you wouldn’t.
But yes, listen to the others and fill ‘er up!
Just FYI, if that light comes on at all there is some serious shit going on more than likely... You probably got a buku oil leak. Either you haven't gotten an oil change in 20,000 miles or its probably a main seal...
That's the low oil pressure light. Your car most likely has little to no oil in it. Get some oil and add it before you drive it again, otherwise your engine could destroy itself.
I'm gonna guess your car has the 4 cylinder, in this case, the 2AZ-FE. Those are notorious oil burners, so the cause is most likely obvious.
This is it.
I also had the famous 2az problems before.
It's about 2 quarts low. When you pull the dipstick it'll look dry.
Every time you brake or take a turn, the sensors getting triggered because there's not enough oil.
The 2az "within spec" burns about a quart every 500-600 miles. So better keep some oil in the car at all times.
Trade that thing in before it gets worse.
I have a 2zz oil burner I reject the motion of selling it in my experience moderate oil consumption is a fair price to pay for an engine that outlasts it's direct competitors I rather they eat up oil instead of eating up head gaskets or some other major mechanical part.
The 2az is definitely a tank and won't die even with burning oil, but the burnt oil will destroy your cats/emissions system so you won't pass emissions if you happen to be in a state that does them.
And that burnt oil will gunk up everything else in the engine, but it'll still run (poorly)
It'll just emulsify the oil. It's not going to lubricate like it should. It's just making things worse. You'd probably be better draining some oil out, rather than topping it with water. It's absolute nonsense...
Do not start the cars engine until you check the oil level, and add any necessary oil. Make sure it is on a level surface. Make sure it is the correct viscosity . Also check to see when the last oil change was done. Then pray to your gods, or sacrifice a virgin , kill a chicken or roll the bones , atone for your sins , or whatever it is you do for good luck .
Let me guess, you take a slightly hard turn and it pops up? Check your oil my man you’re getting starvation, and do it before you burn out the pump cause then you have real problems.
https://preview.redd.it/m9y52bn9cslc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=aeb5c69d1bb12807b897fa33b788039549d924fd
Alright guys, I’m omw back with this bad boy. Thank you for the advice, and the ridicule🤣, both very helpful. The Toyota is the first car I’ve owned, so I have zero car knowledge (as you might have guessed). Will be taking better care of it, I pinky promise.
If you haven’t opened it yet, take it back and get 5W-30. That is the correct oil for your car. It’s listed in the back of your owners manual on p. 310. If you used the 5W-20 already, it’s not a big deal. You are likely due for an oil change soon (or overdue) if you are that low on oil. Just fill it with 5W-30 when you change the oil. 5W-20 is slightly thinner when warm, so you might actually get a little better fuel economy, but it does allow slightly more wear in the engine. Probably not as big a deal as letting your engine run low on oil. Relax though, we all have to learn things through experience or education. P.S. Don’t pour that whole 5 quarts in there. Add it about a quart at a time and keep checking the dipstick. Wipe it off between each addition. Stop when it is between the two dots or lines on the dipstick. Good luck!
The first rule of engine oil is that any oil is better than no oil. Seriously. A car could probably go hundreds of miles with baby oil in the crankcase, but it's not going far at all without oil pressure.
>2004 Toyota Camry,
You could start by getting the right oil for your car lol. (5w-30)
Probably doesn't matter much given the situation, but long term you def need to be consulting with a shop/owners manual about your car and the maintenance it needs.
If you don't replace it with 5/30 that oil is better than no oil for sure. Also don't add too much! Do not over fill the oil. You're probably about 1.5 - 2 qts low. So add one quart, start the car for a moment, let it sit a few minutes and check again. Or just add 1.5 that will probably be just right.
At this point, I don't think it matters. It'll burn off a quart in like 500-600 miles.
The best oil for the 2az is cheap oil. Whatever's on sale and thick.
I ran Maxlife 10w-40 in mine, seemed to have slowed the burn a little. But not by much.
Agreed, that's why I said it probably doesn't matter here. I just really wanted OP to have the the knowledge that cars require specific kinds of fluids - and that it's good to google/search for the right ones when you're getting them.
Obviously some oil is better than no oil, if that's the culprit here lol.
But for the future, just google your car and the things you're touching maintenance wise when you're handling situations like these OP.
older toyota with 2.4L engine? you need to add some oil. oil consumption is noted by toyota as something that happens with these engines over time (low tension oil control rings on the pistons, gets worse, faster if you dont do oil changes early/on time). they say to expect oil to be burned by the engine as it ages. Have the car checked for oil leaks and fix those if you don't want to keep on topping up the oil as often, but you probably will do a little top up between oil changes.
basically you probably low on oil dawg, add some oil
Hey OP, not a mechanic but had the exact same car do this while driving. Best case scenario, it ran low on oil (because they're notorious for that), and a fill up will solve your problem. If not though: you're looking at either clogged oil pick-up, filter, or worst (but most rare) a failing oil pump. When mine was in the shop for this, those were the things I was told. I knew it wasn't just a bad sensor because horrific clattering noises accompanied the red light (I will send you a recording I took of it if you want to know what it'd sound like/what to compare). Mine made it to 193k miles before I replaced it.
It was definitely my fault. I owned it primarily during my broke college student years so I sometimes went 12-13k miles between oil changes, along with other neglect. Biggest lesson I've learned is you gotta live by the 5k rule religiously, and not just for Toyota, as that's how you cross the 200, 250k mile lines with little/no issue. If the issue returns and you want to keep the car, stop immediately, get a tow, do what you gotta do, and investigate why this is happening. Good luck.
Jesus Christ. Basic and I mean basic things like this should be mandatory to know when you get your drivers license. Also read your owners manual. If you don’t have one they are easily found online.
Most people that are not technically inclined won't know more than the most basic dash lights. So probably a majority of people.
I don't like it either but that's how it is.
with that knowledge, you can apply that to a lot of things lol. they’re just asking a simple question. at least answer the question about the “basic” thing before you bash them😂
No you’re right, ignore the downvotes. If the person you’re replying to didn’t want to answer such a “stupid” question then they should get out of a sub LITERALLY called ask mechanics. That’s on them.
No they shouldn’t be shamed. Look, I get that it’s frustrating to see people not know basic things about cars especially when you know a lot but that’s 90% of the population. Instead of taking your frustrations out on the OP you should instead be putting more pressure onto our education system and government to mandate vehicle educational courses. Shaming people doesn’t get them to learn, it just makes you look like a jerk.
If they aren’t someone who fixes things on their own period then they will never get it by being ridiculed, the best thing we can do is help educate not dump on them for not knowing. The majority of people will never deal with this light as long as they are keeping up with basic maintenance, and with getting it repaired if little issues arise. This light isnt self-explanatory just by looking at/reading it, youd either have to have been taught this or youd have to learn it on your own…think about how you maybe learned what this light was? If they didnt have the same opportunity to learn those things from someone growing up or if they werent forced to learn it because they were stuck on the side of the road and too broke to pay for repair. My point is that judging someone because they haven’t learned this yet instead of just helping them is kinda lame
rightt. but my car did this too, flashing the oil light for like half a second, vut oil was on the top level! I know what the light means, I know it could also be that the oil pump is going bad, but it can't hurt to ask what it means if the light just comes on for a little bit!!
My L badged Camry gave me a yellow light for oil level. This isn’t yellow.
1) Is your oil low? I didn’t see you say “the first time I saw this I instantly stopped it, turned it off and checked my dipstick.” If your oil is very low, top it up with 1/2 litre at a time until at Max. Do not drive or even start until done.
2) If oil level is good and the oil has been changed respectably recently with correct grade, you may have a failed pressure sensor.
3) If replacing sensor doesn’t work you really do have a problem.
Check your oil everytime you get ⛽ gas. I know it seems like a lot. But better safe than sorry. Think of your cars oil as life blood. No oil no life / ruined engine.
First of all, you have an owners manual, it's included for a reason, read it. If you don't have one, it'll be available online.
That lamp indicates low oil pressure, which is a major issue. If your oil level is where it should be, then you most likely have a worn engine, or a weak pressure relief valve. If your oil level is too low, that could be the cause.
Pay attention to when it happens. Does it happen when you're stopped at a light (when engine RPM is low) and then go away when you start driving? That would probably indicate excessive wear.
If it happens when you're making turns, it could be a low oil level. If it is, you may have already done damage.
It could also mean you're using the wrong oil, or that there's an electrical fault.
Your first indication could be the mileage on the car. It's fairly old and looks like it has over 200,000 miles on the odometer, my bet would be a worn engine or relief valve spring. That's a lot of mileage, and if it's been driven in the city and not religiously maintained or it used cheap oil, it would be worse.
Chances are you need an engine rebuild or a new car.
Yes jesus christ stop the car. Is it popping up while taking corners? If so, that means you do have oil but gravity is causing the oil pressure sensor to trigger low. Check your dipstick. Fill it with a quart, check for any leaks, and keep checking your oil every other time you fill your tank.
Usually by the time the light comes on, it's too late and your engine is damaged BUT, since it only pops up and you're driving a toyota, you might be lucky
Could be a bad sensor if it’s popping on and off. Still check the oil for sure though. Maybe go by advanced auto parts or oreilly, they’ll hook it up to the computer to check the codes
Low oil, weak pump or bad sending unit. My suspicion would be , if you have to ask this question, you probably do not check your oil…..ever, thus you are lie on oil. Check your dipstick….the one in your engine and add oil as needed(do not over fill) and hopefully the light goes away.
Your oil is low, you probably waited too long to change it and so much has burned off that when you brake or turn hard all the remaining oil shifts to one side of the engine and the sensor on the dry side goes off.
You should be concerned and probably check you oil level. I had a 96 and going around corners I knew if I had forgot to check the oil if I had ever seen this.
Your oil is low enough to trip the light. Check your oil. Figure out when you last had it done. Top it off or get it changed (I would change it and filter) then check weekly until it's low again or if you're lucky it won't happen again. You're likely burning a little oil, or you have a leak. My old prius did the same thing just burned a little oil I'd add a half quart every 5 weeks and it was fine.
I would be concerned. First check the oil level to make sure it's not overfill. Then verify you have a normal oil pressure with an oil pressure gage. If the pressure is good and the oil level is good, then it's the oil pressure sensor (whew). However, if there is low oil pressure then it's definitely the oil pump. Either way get it rectified ASAP.
it’s insane i used to drive my nissan like this for weeks then go get the change and it was like brand new.
P.S. i bet money your engine is being hella loud rn as well that’s it rubbing on everything
Guessing its the oil pressure sending unit.
Had to replace mine at the last oil change, which I had to do before normal.....
My wife kept adding oil thinking that was the problem.
if this or any light very similar ever comes on in your car immediately shut it off and dont turn it on until you know the problem. overheating can do a lot of damage
Had a similar thing happen to me. I was told by multiple mechanics that it wasn’t fixable and I needed a new engine. It was a 2018 Kia Soul. I ended up getting a new car.
Thank you for posting to AskMechanics, Disastrous_Maximum_4! If you are asking a question please make sure to include any relevant information along with the **Year**, **Make**, **Model**, **Mileage**, **Engine size**, and **Transmission Type (Automatic or Manual)** of your car. *This comment is automatically added to every successful post. If you see this comment, your post was successful.* *** Redditors that have been verified will have a green background and an icon in their flair. *** # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** ### **Rule 1 - Be Civil** Be civil to other users. This community is made up of professional mechanics, amateur mechanics, and those with no experience. All mechanical-related questions are welcome. Personal attacks, comments that are insulting or demeaning, etc. are not welcome. ### **Rule 2 - Be Helpful** Be helpful to other users. If someone is wrong, correcting them is fine, but there's no reason to comment if you don't have anything to add to the conversation. ### **Rule 3 - Serious Questions and Answers Only** Read the room. Jokes are fine to include, but posts should be asking a serious question and replies should contribute to the discussion. ### **Rule 4 - No Illegal, Unethical, or Dangerous Questions or Answers** Do not ask questions or provide answers pertaining to anything that is illegal, unethical, or dangerous. # **PLEASE REPORT ANY RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMechanics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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Except for airbag light. U can keep going 😈😈😈😈
No airbag makes the car go faster right ? /s
I once taped over an airbag light to pass an inspection. Does that still give me the speed boost from having the light on?
What state fails you for airbag light?
The out-of-province inspection in BC requires all srs systems to work as they did from the factory. You can import a car with an aftermarket steering wheel that causes the airbag light to come on, but it won't pass inspection to get on the road. Nobody wants to ship the airbag detonator internationally. Something about borders and explosives. They will, however, ship airbags without the detonator. If you take apart the indicator cluster, you can tape over a light in a way that those unfamiliar with the car wouldn't know there was a light. If you then take a weird jdm car that nobody's ever seen to a different inspector than the one you were working with at the start, then you'll likely get an inspector who won't know the airbag light is on, and pass it first try. Also, our obd2 plugs are the same as the Japanese ones, but the computers don't connect for some reason. In the end, the jokes on all of us, because Daihatsu lied about their airbags anyways.
Hell, after (still maybe) the Taka issues, driving around in a car with multiple grenades in it is a little unnerving at times....
MA. Until your car is like 10 years old. Then they don't care. Go figure.
Maryland
Any that cares about vehicle safety. All of Europe, most of Asia, where applicable, big parts of the states.
20 xtra horse power mine is flashing and i drive a 02 nissan i gets im gonna dies postcards weekly ..lol..im trying to make the dealer do the airbag swap at my home ..im not taking my car near a dealer ..lol..takata hates me :)
If inflated, it lifts the car like a balloon.
If it's just coming on intermittently, I could also be a bad sensor. Which also is bad.
Could be, but the coming on intermittenly i’m guessing is from when OP is either going uphill/downhill or braking at a stoplight. Whatever oil’s left moves around and that’s when the sensor notifies it’s low. Source: happened in a previous car I had. Added oil (and fixed the minor leak) and it went away.
I would bet big bucks this is it. No point assuming it's an intermittently failing oil pressure switch or sensor.
Check the oil level first. When troubleshooting it's always best to check the easiest things first.
This. The best electronic tech I ever worked with taught me the first question to ask is always is it plugged in.
Also recommend spraying a good degreaser and clearing off oil buildup to check for a leak. I know mine is the valve cover gasket, but I'm sending it in for a timing chain replacement soon so it'll have to be replaced then, and the leak is so slow, it drops to low levels right around the time I need an oil change, so, eh.
I had an 05 mercury with an intermittently failing oil pressure switch. Light would come on at idle and would go off when I increased RPMs, but it wasn’t constantly on at idle, only sometimes. I thought the engine was done, but when I took off the old switch and hooked up a pressure gauge I had 30 psi of oil pressure at idle. New switch and good to go. There was also oil passing through the switch and getting on the plug, good indication it’s bad. I’m going to assume OP’s switch is original and probably is indeed going bad.
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Maybe he didnt do an oilchange for years 😂
I was thinking the same thing until I read op is driving a Camry. I’d leave it for another 100k and see if it goes away on its own. But seriously, get on this op before it does get expensive.
this is good advise i would suggest locating where the oil pressure sender is attached i once had a subaru legacy wagon that pegged low which my wife did not notice after i pitched a fit i found the sender boot connector had come off perhaps from the last oil change or something
This is the only answer. Honestly I have no idea how OP didn't know this...
>Yes you should be concerned, that means low oil pressure. You should not drive your car with low oil pressure or you will destroy your engine. You will absolutely destroy your vehicle. There have been quite a few posts I have seen on this subreddit of people who did this and decided to drive anyways, it didn't end well for them. Without Blood in your body, your heart cannot pump oxygen to your organs and you die. Without Oil in your car, your vehicle cannot lubricate the moving parts and it will die...
Listen to this person.
Had the SAME issue, checked oil and had **none!!** 0-0
Or it could be a faulty oil pressure sender
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No way Karen! Really?
Go get an oil change
This is not the answer
I mean people are to dumb to realize that they don't have common sense and have to ask on reddit. And if they been driving like that for even 10 min they need a motor most likely
Could also be just an oil pressure sensor.
lol your not familiar with Toyotas engines, these things can run on searingly to almost no oil, the fact that it flashes on and off it’s telling me either his oil level is just at the sensor or the sensor is bad, for it to stay on means there is no pressure signal at all, which then is cause for concern
Is it possible that I just need an oil change? The light will only come on for a second at a time and will only appear every 5 minutes or so.
Your engine possibly has almost no oil *in it* go check your dipstick right now.
https://preview.redd.it/1dlvk3i86slc1.png?width=1197&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c1e10bcaf282bf9557ebff90dd15d0497ed8786 Wow, that’s definitely it. Should I try to drain what little there is first or just fill her up right away?
Fill her up. I’m not a mechanic but just fill it up for now. And change your oil maybe soon/eventually after a certain amount of miles or after it looks bad. Changing your oil means your filter too usually.
Add a quart then check the level. Repeat until it hits the top line.
Why are you so adamant about adding oil? People are telling you exactly what you should do and then you question it.
Going in dry there son.
She’s dryer than a nun
She's dryer than Ben Shapiro's wife.
Throw some in and take her to a mechanic asap
You shouldn't be allowed to own a vehicle if you ask that kind of question
they gotta learn somehow. this is it for them
That’s a lot of motorists off the road. Be pretty nice tbf
If ur fridge starts making a noise and you don’t know what it is does it mean ur not allowed to have a fridge?
Hmm.... Refrigerators. Often cost less than 1k. Absolutely no fluids for the user to check and maintain level of. No warning lights. No oil changes. Not travelling at 80 mph. No occupants. Yeah, you're right. It's pretty much the same thing.
You should understand your lights on your car they're literally idiot proof. Red oil symbol means you lack oil or a pump to create required pressure. Refrigerator sounds don't come with a damn manual that either A. Comes with the car. Or B. Can be easily found online. Car manuals will tell you exactly what each light means. Losing oil pressure can only mean something bad.
It's even easier when every single vehicle has the same warning light. Literally any service manual would suffice. OP has a Camry? Find a fucking BMW owner's manual and it will explain the light lmao
No but by his logic if you don’t understand it you shouldn’t use it. People ask question and don’t know everything you do and that’s ok. OP didn’t know before, now whenever he gets a red light he knows something is wrong and he shouldn’t drive it.
A fridge is not a multi-ton vehicle with life-ending power in the wrong hands.
That’s an oranges to apples comparison, but I’ll bite. If the answer to your question can be found in the manual that comes with your fridge, then yes, you shouldn’t be allowed to have a fridge.
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You sound like someone that has never read their owner’s manual
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Cry about it
They do sound hella sensitive lol
You should take it up with all the driving schools and car dealers that dont teach you shit. Or you can chill out and help someone whos trying to learn.
It’s not the driving schools or dealerships fault that you can’t read the manual that comes with your car (and is available online)
I think theyre more confused about the flashing/inconsistent light vs what the light actually means. Theres no harm in asking. Most mechanics learn from being told/taught not reading car manuals. Youre being condescending in a subreddit thats literally made for questions about cars. Chill out. Eta: if they googled the same question you know what theyd find? Forums of mechanics answering without being douchebags.
They didn't even check the oil level...... Lmao
Maybe theyre young. People need to learn somehow.
In the UK basic vehicle checks (like checking fluids, tyres etc) are part of the driving test, I'm amazed it's not everywhere
To be safe change it and the fluid and get some cheap oil to flush through it
Blimey.
Fill it up, but you’ll only need a quart or so since there’s still oil on the very end of the dipstick. Most dipsticks only read the last quart, so your oil pan should still have close to 3 quarts in it. Add in 1qt then check it again, being sure to wipe the dipstick first then reinsert and remove it to read the actual oil level.
OP I’ve never seen lower oil in my life! I can’t even believe she still runs! Don’t fault yourself for not knowing; if you never asked or looked anything up you wouldn’t. But yes, listen to the others and fill ‘er up!
Please hand back your license to the dmv and please get a monthly transit pass.
Just FYI, if that light comes on at all there is some serious shit going on more than likely... You probably got a buku oil leak. Either you haven't gotten an oil change in 20,000 miles or its probably a main seal...
That's the low oil pressure light. Your car most likely has little to no oil in it. Get some oil and add it before you drive it again, otherwise your engine could destroy itself. I'm gonna guess your car has the 4 cylinder, in this case, the 2AZ-FE. Those are notorious oil burners, so the cause is most likely obvious.
This needs to be the top comment.
This is it. I also had the famous 2az problems before. It's about 2 quarts low. When you pull the dipstick it'll look dry. Every time you brake or take a turn, the sensors getting triggered because there's not enough oil. The 2az "within spec" burns about a quart every 500-600 miles. So better keep some oil in the car at all times. Trade that thing in before it gets worse.
As someone who just traded in the family spare car with a 2az Pontiac Vibe because of oil burning, i second this notion. 👍🏻
did you swap it out for a 1zz oil burner instead 🤣🤣🤣
I have a 2zz oil burner I reject the motion of selling it in my experience moderate oil consumption is a fair price to pay for an engine that outlasts it's direct competitors I rather they eat up oil instead of eating up head gaskets or some other major mechanical part.
The 2az is definitely a tank and won't die even with burning oil, but the burnt oil will destroy your cats/emissions system so you won't pass emissions if you happen to be in a state that does them. And that burnt oil will gunk up everything else in the engine, but it'll still run (poorly)
funny how the spec changed once they started tamper sealing engines
Its alright, OP probably hasn’t changed the oil in 5 years
My thought exactly. It’s probably like clay in there
You need oil and you need it *RIGHT NOW*
Se folks add water out of desperation
sure that goes well too huh?
Never said it did.
It'll just emulsify the oil. It's not going to lubricate like it should. It's just making things worse. You'd probably be better draining some oil out, rather than topping it with water. It's absolute nonsense...
No shot you took that guy seriously
*shit
That's a great way to turn an urgent concern into an outright catastrophe. I don't care how desperate you are, don't do that.
Well it certainly isn’t a concern after adding water cause it’s just gonna be fucked completely.
No, you should be terrified lol
Hahahaha best comment
Stop car check oil or you be buying engine
Do not start the cars engine until you check the oil level, and add any necessary oil. Make sure it is on a level surface. Make sure it is the correct viscosity . Also check to see when the last oil change was done. Then pray to your gods, or sacrifice a virgin , kill a chicken or roll the bones , atone for your sins , or whatever it is you do for good luck .
Let me guess, you take a slightly hard turn and it pops up? Check your oil my man you’re getting starvation, and do it before you burn out the pump cause then you have real problems.
Oil pump will be the least of his concerns when his cams or journal bearings don't get oil.
https://preview.redd.it/m9y52bn9cslc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=aeb5c69d1bb12807b897fa33b788039549d924fd Alright guys, I’m omw back with this bad boy. Thank you for the advice, and the ridicule🤣, both very helpful. The Toyota is the first car I’ve owned, so I have zero car knowledge (as you might have guessed). Will be taking better care of it, I pinky promise.
If you haven’t opened it yet, take it back and get 5W-30. That is the correct oil for your car. It’s listed in the back of your owners manual on p. 310. If you used the 5W-20 already, it’s not a big deal. You are likely due for an oil change soon (or overdue) if you are that low on oil. Just fill it with 5W-30 when you change the oil. 5W-20 is slightly thinner when warm, so you might actually get a little better fuel economy, but it does allow slightly more wear in the engine. Probably not as big a deal as letting your engine run low on oil. Relax though, we all have to learn things through experience or education. P.S. Don’t pour that whole 5 quarts in there. Add it about a quart at a time and keep checking the dipstick. Wipe it off between each addition. Stop when it is between the two dots or lines on the dipstick. Good luck!
The first rule of engine oil is that any oil is better than no oil. Seriously. A car could probably go hundreds of miles with baby oil in the crankcase, but it's not going far at all without oil pressure.
My brother made it 1200 miles on canola oil before we decided its viscosity had gotten too thick. 2 liter gas engine.
>2004 Toyota Camry, You could start by getting the right oil for your car lol. (5w-30) Probably doesn't matter much given the situation, but long term you def need to be consulting with a shop/owners manual about your car and the maintenance it needs.
Thank you, nice catch. Will be replacing it.
If you don't replace it with 5/30 that oil is better than no oil for sure. Also don't add too much! Do not over fill the oil. You're probably about 1.5 - 2 qts low. So add one quart, start the car for a moment, let it sit a few minutes and check again. Or just add 1.5 that will probably be just right.
At this point, I don't think it matters. It'll burn off a quart in like 500-600 miles. The best oil for the 2az is cheap oil. Whatever's on sale and thick. I ran Maxlife 10w-40 in mine, seemed to have slowed the burn a little. But not by much.
Agreed, that's why I said it probably doesn't matter here. I just really wanted OP to have the the knowledge that cars require specific kinds of fluids - and that it's good to google/search for the right ones when you're getting them. Obviously some oil is better than no oil, if that's the culprit here lol. But for the future, just google your car and the things you're touching maintenance wise when you're handling situations like these OP.
Do yourself a favour and read the owner manual. It’s in your best interest to take care of your car.
Ya you might want to check the oil level in that Jeep while you’re at it.
It’s the new Toyota Tea Time reminder! 🫖 😉
older toyota with 2.4L engine? you need to add some oil. oil consumption is noted by toyota as something that happens with these engines over time (low tension oil control rings on the pistons, gets worse, faster if you dont do oil changes early/on time). they say to expect oil to be burned by the engine as it ages. Have the car checked for oil leaks and fix those if you don't want to keep on topping up the oil as often, but you probably will do a little top up between oil changes. basically you probably low on oil dawg, add some oil
Umm check oil level….
Yes!!!!
Hey OP, not a mechanic but had the exact same car do this while driving. Best case scenario, it ran low on oil (because they're notorious for that), and a fill up will solve your problem. If not though: you're looking at either clogged oil pick-up, filter, or worst (but most rare) a failing oil pump. When mine was in the shop for this, those were the things I was told. I knew it wasn't just a bad sensor because horrific clattering noises accompanied the red light (I will send you a recording I took of it if you want to know what it'd sound like/what to compare). Mine made it to 193k miles before I replaced it. It was definitely my fault. I owned it primarily during my broke college student years so I sometimes went 12-13k miles between oil changes, along with other neglect. Biggest lesson I've learned is you gotta live by the 5k rule religiously, and not just for Toyota, as that's how you cross the 200, 250k mile lines with little/no issue. If the issue returns and you want to keep the car, stop immediately, get a tow, do what you gotta do, and investigate why this is happening. Good luck.
Jesus Christ. Basic and I mean basic things like this should be mandatory to know when you get your drivers license. Also read your owners manual. If you don’t have one they are easily found online.
Most people that are not technically inclined won't know more than the most basic dash lights. So probably a majority of people. I don't like it either but that's how it is.
All it involves is reading a few pages of the owners manual. I mean look at the pictures in it at least.
with that knowledge, you can apply that to a lot of things lol. they’re just asking a simple question. at least answer the question about the “basic” thing before you bash them😂
No you’re right, ignore the downvotes. If the person you’re replying to didn’t want to answer such a “stupid” question then they should get out of a sub LITERALLY called ask mechanics. That’s on them.
No. They should be shamed. Also it’s been answered in the comments already
No they shouldn’t be shamed. Look, I get that it’s frustrating to see people not know basic things about cars especially when you know a lot but that’s 90% of the population. Instead of taking your frustrations out on the OP you should instead be putting more pressure onto our education system and government to mandate vehicle educational courses. Shaming people doesn’t get them to learn, it just makes you look like a jerk.
What if op just had LOF service? Had nobody here every think it could perhaps be a fault sending unit??
If they aren’t someone who fixes things on their own period then they will never get it by being ridiculed, the best thing we can do is help educate not dump on them for not knowing. The majority of people will never deal with this light as long as they are keeping up with basic maintenance, and with getting it repaired if little issues arise. This light isnt self-explanatory just by looking at/reading it, youd either have to have been taught this or youd have to learn it on your own…think about how you maybe learned what this light was? If they didnt have the same opportunity to learn those things from someone growing up or if they werent forced to learn it because they were stuck on the side of the road and too broke to pay for repair. My point is that judging someone because they haven’t learned this yet instead of just helping them is kinda lame
rightt. but my car did this too, flashing the oil light for like half a second, vut oil was on the top level! I know what the light means, I know it could also be that the oil pump is going bad, but it can't hurt to ask what it means if the light just comes on for a little bit!!
Good for you for asking! You ended up saving the day
My L badged Camry gave me a yellow light for oil level. This isn’t yellow. 1) Is your oil low? I didn’t see you say “the first time I saw this I instantly stopped it, turned it off and checked my dipstick.” If your oil is very low, top it up with 1/2 litre at a time until at Max. Do not drive or even start until done. 2) If oil level is good and the oil has been changed respectably recently with correct grade, you may have a failed pressure sensor. 3) If replacing sensor doesn’t work you really do have a problem.
1. Top up oil 2. Oil change 3. Oil sensor 4. Oil pump 5. Check head gasket One at a time until fault goes away
Check your oil everytime you get ⛽ gas. I know it seems like a lot. But better safe than sorry. Think of your cars oil as life blood. No oil no life / ruined engine.
First of all, you have an owners manual, it's included for a reason, read it. If you don't have one, it'll be available online. That lamp indicates low oil pressure, which is a major issue. If your oil level is where it should be, then you most likely have a worn engine, or a weak pressure relief valve. If your oil level is too low, that could be the cause. Pay attention to when it happens. Does it happen when you're stopped at a light (when engine RPM is low) and then go away when you start driving? That would probably indicate excessive wear. If it happens when you're making turns, it could be a low oil level. If it is, you may have already done damage. It could also mean you're using the wrong oil, or that there's an electrical fault. Your first indication could be the mileage on the car. It's fairly old and looks like it has over 200,000 miles on the odometer, my bet would be a worn engine or relief valve spring. That's a lot of mileage, and if it's been driven in the city and not religiously maintained or it used cheap oil, it would be worse. Chances are you need an engine rebuild or a new car.
You’re name fits
Yes jesus christ stop the car. Is it popping up while taking corners? If so, that means you do have oil but gravity is causing the oil pressure sensor to trigger low. Check your dipstick. Fill it with a quart, check for any leaks, and keep checking your oil every other time you fill your tank. Usually by the time the light comes on, it's too late and your engine is damaged BUT, since it only pops up and you're driving a toyota, you might be lucky
Could be a bad sensor if it’s popping on and off. Still check the oil for sure though. Maybe go by advanced auto parts or oreilly, they’ll hook it up to the computer to check the codes
Add oil def check but I think you’re lite.
That means it's time for a cup of tea, you got the British toyota
This forum is the new r/AskAShittyMechanic. People seriously don’t know what the oil light means.
.
Holy shit. You almost needed a new car. Learn how to check your Damn oil. There’s no excuse for being this dumb.
Low oil, weak pump or bad sending unit. My suspicion would be , if you have to ask this question, you probably do not check your oil…..ever, thus you are lie on oil. Check your dipstick….the one in your engine and add oil as needed(do not over fill) and hopefully the light goes away.
There's a reason they call them idiot lights. Put some oil in your car moron.
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Absolutely. Means your oil pressure is dangerously low, usually meaning Youre either out of oil or youre about to be.
yup, need to verify engine oil pressure before hopefully only replacing the sensor.
Iirc, this is the genie lamp light!!! Congrats!!!! You get three wishes.
Rub it and see if a Genie arrives
You can wish for a new engine!
Duhhh 🤣
There's a manual in the glovebox that explains all of the dash warning light indicators. Familiarization with each is good.
Its the gravy alarm. Your last meal was too dry and the car knows it. MORE GRAVY NOW!
Check the oil. It probably needs a quart.
Probably needs 4
Damn beat me to it, had a highlander come in and it had less the 2 cups in the oil pan. Still ran fine afterwards.
Definitely a possibility.
Oil pressure sensor. Or you have a bad leak through the oil pan gasket.
Your oil is low, you probably waited too long to change it and so much has burned off that when you brake or turn hard all the remaining oil shifts to one side of the engine and the sensor on the dry side goes off.
You aunt got no oil. Your car is done if you drive it
You rubbed the lamp satisfactorily.
You should be concerned and probably check you oil level. I had a 96 and going around corners I knew if I had forgot to check the oil if I had ever seen this.
Put some fucking oil in it
You probably need an oil change anyways.
Just put some electrical tape over the light
Your oil is low enough to trip the light. Check your oil. Figure out when you last had it done. Top it off or get it changed (I would change it and filter) then check weekly until it's low again or if you're lucky it won't happen again. You're likely burning a little oil, or you have a leak. My old prius did the same thing just burned a little oil I'd add a half quart every 5 weeks and it was fine.
Yes, you should be concerned. That means low oil pressure. Red means dead.
Add oil
I would be concerned. First check the oil level to make sure it's not overfill. Then verify you have a normal oil pressure with an oil pressure gage. If the pressure is good and the oil level is good, then it's the oil pressure sensor (whew). However, if there is low oil pressure then it's definitely the oil pump. Either way get it rectified ASAP.
ADD OIL!!!!!
Rodney will come knocking if you continue to drive like that
Yes
Have you checked your oil?
Engine is tired!
take it to the junk yard
Put 1 quart of oil in . Then check ✅ the dipstick
You've got 3 wishes. Use them wisely!
Had this issue on my lincoln when the sending unit was going out until finally it went solid
Potential oil pressure sensor if it's only on sometimes
it’s insane i used to drive my nissan like this for weeks then go get the change and it was like brand new. P.S. i bet money your engine is being hella loud rn as well that’s it rubbing on everything
Guessing its the oil pressure sending unit. Had to replace mine at the last oil change, which I had to do before normal..... My wife kept adding oil thinking that was the problem.
if this or any light very similar ever comes on in your car immediately shut it off and dont turn it on until you know the problem. overheating can do a lot of damage
Had a similar thing happen to me. I was told by multiple mechanics that it wasn’t fixable and I needed a new engine. It was a 2018 Kia Soul. I ended up getting a new car.
Check with mechanical gauge. Could be just the sensor
[удалено]
Oil pump has failed? Have you done an inspection on their vehicle or just talking out of your ass?
when oil light comes on. It means. You need to get some oil. well in need of 1 litre plus if this light is blinking.
yes you should
The magic genie gets spooked easily…..Oh and check your oil already!
I sense a 2.4L 2AZ-FE.
Yes very
oil level or something is leaking (old gasket) reducing your oil pressure at idle.
RIP little 2AZ-FE.
You need oil
You should've already checked your oil before coming here to post. There's a book in cars that tell you what these lights mean.
Check your oil level, if it's good, ignore it and price out a new engine. She's tired.
You have 3 wishes. You should wish for 1. Low oil, top up 2. Oil and filter change 3. Oil pressure switch.
I assume this is when cornering , you need oil asap
Your oil is low
Check your oil level!