Engine oil warning light: everything you should know about the maintenance indicator

Usually displayed on the dashboard as an oil can or a spanner icon, this warning light indicates that your vehicle’s annual service is fast approaching.

But is it just a simple reminder ?

Can it appear on the dashboard for other reasons?

And how can you turn it off?

Maintenance warning light on dashboard
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    Change your engine oil yourself in 8 easy steps !

    The quality of engine oil gradually deteriorates as you drive more miles. That’s why it’s essential to change the oil regularly to avoid damaging the engine.

    Perform a DIY oil change

    To do this, you need to follow several steps:

    • Choose the correct oil for your engine
    • Buy the right oil filter that’s compatible with your vehicle
    • Warm up the engine
    • Park your car on a flat surface

    Changing your oil yourself takes very little time, but it can save you money on this routine maintenance task.

    How to reset the engine oil warning light on your car ?

    After changing your car’s oil, you can turn off the service indicator light on the dashboard. But how ?

    Engine oil warning light

    You need to perform an oil service reset This process tells the engine control unit (ECU) that the maintenance has been completed and that there’s no need to display the warning light on the dashboard anymore.

    To do this, you can use a “Car Diagnostics Scanner”. However, as with all warning lights, it’s important to remember that simply turning off the light without actually performing the necessary maintenance is pointless. If you don’t fix the issue that triggered the warning light, it will come back on as soon as you start driving.

    But as with all warning lights, it is important to remember that simply turning off the light without performing the necessary repairs is pointless. If you don’t fix the issue that triggered the warning light, it will turn back on as soon as you start driving.

    Excessive engine oil consumption: what are the causes ?

    If your engine is consuming too much oil, the “service indicator light” will automatically come on.

    However, this light is not the only sign of excessive oil consumption. If you notice black or bluish smoke coming from your exhaust while driving, this is another clear indicator.

    There are several possible causes for this :

    • Oil that’s too old and no longer burns properly
    • Oil that’s not suitable for your engine
    • An oil level that’s too high, pushing oil into the cylinders
    • A leak in the lubrication system
    • Worn bearings, forcing oil into the cylinders
    • Worn piston rings
    • Worn valve guides

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    In conclusion

    Your service indicator light can come on for several reasons. Whatever the cause, don’t ignore it! Even if it’s just a reminder for your next oil change, delaying it could result in serious engine damage—and that will cost you far more than a simple oil change.

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