What Causes Low Engine Oil Pressure?
There are several things that can cause the oil pressure to drop, including damage to the oil circulation system and contamination of the oil itself. Fortunately, not all of them are serious and some causes of low oil pressure can be easily resolved. Here are some other reasons why an engine’s oil pressure could be low. • Low oil level – The most common reason for low oil pressure is the absence of adequate amounts of oil. This can be easily resolved by topping up the oil. Ideally an oil change should be done to replace oil that may have been overworked if the engine was running with at less than an adequate oil level. • Low viscosity – Using lighter or low viscosity oil causes oil to pass through the engine more freely, thereby reducing the resistance or oil pressure that is read by the oil gauge. If the oil pressure readings are lower after an oil change it could be the result of using low viscosity oil. To be on the safe side, ensure that the manufacturer’s recommendations are being
