Gasoline charges up a car’s engine and oil protects it. Think of oil as that shiny lubrication that protects the inner workings of the engine. If there is not sufficient oil the activity of the engine can cause overheating, and also cause the parts of an engine to wear down due to constant friction. If the car is suffering from low energy oil pressure, it means that there is insufficient oil lubrication being supplied. That can cause some very serious internal problems. There are a number of reasons why low oil pressure happens, and a car owner would be wise to keep them in mind.
1. There is not enough oil in the automobile.
This seems almost too easy, but it is actually the most common cause of oil pressure problems. Car owners will often forget to their oil checked. This should be part of any tune-up or inspection of your car. This is the easiest oil pressure problem to fix.
2. Engine wear
Like blood flowing through veins, oil flows through various passages in your engine. Oil will move through the crankshaft bearings and the cam bearings of the car. If the clearance has become wider because of the parts wearing down, oil flows through too fast and reduces your oil pressure.
3. Trouble with the oil pressure gauge
Auto manufacturers install oil pressure gauges in cars to inform the car owner about the oil pressure in real time. Sometimes the gauge fails therefore you will not know that your oil pressure is low. The only way to be sure if your gauge is functioning correctly is to have a mechanic perform an oil pressure reading.
4. Trouble with your oil filter
The oil filter plays an important role in maintaining your car’s oil pressure. If your filter gets clogged it will reduce the pressure. The pressure relief valve of an oil filter is there to make sure the pressure does not get too high. However, if the relief valve is damaged, then oil will pass more freely in the engine and reduce pressure.
5. The Viscosity of the Oil
This is the thickness of the oil used in your car. Oil that has a high viscosity will be thicker and won’t flow as fast as an oil with a lower level. This can affect the oil pressure depending on the time of year. It is quite possible that high viscosity oil will not allow the pressure to build rapidly. If you’re not sure which oil to use in your car, this is a great article to reference.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to correct problems with the oil pressure in your car. You should check your car’s oil level on a regular basis and have your mechanic check your filter every time your car is serviced. It is a good idea to use a low viscosity oil during the winter months.
It is always a good idea to have an auto mechanic do a mechanical oil pressure reading on your car. While the above reasons are the most common causes of low oil pressure, there could be problems with the fuel pump, or other parts of your car. The mechanic can take a look at those possibilities if the reading is not satisfactory.
Routine maintenance of your car is crucial to preventing expensive repairs in the future. Your car’s oil level and pressure should be routinely monitored and it doesn’t take much time or effort. Not addressing an oil pressure problem at the beginning can result in serious engine block issues. Unfortunately engine block repairs are very expensive.
If you have concerns about your car’s oil pressure give us a call today.
