Each warning light in your Volvo is designed to alert you to an issue with a specific part of your car. One of the more common warnings involves the illumination of the “No Oil Pressure” light.
No oil pressure in a vehicle is a serious issue. Oftentimes, a Volvo may not give you this warning until the situation needs immediate attention. It’s crucial that you take your car to an automotive specialist immediately if this warning light flashes on your dashboard. Let’s talk about what causes the “No Oil Pressure” light to come on and what you can do to fix it.
COMMON CAUSES OF LOW/NO OIL PRESSURE IN A VOLVO
If your “No Oil Pressure” light comes on, then you can be sure that there’s something happening inside of your Volvo to lower that pressure. Getting to the root of the problem is vital. We’ve put together the common reasons it will illuminate:
YOUR OIL PRESSURE WILL LOWER NATURALLY OVER TIME
The higher mileage you rack up on your Volvo, the lower the oil pressure will be. If this indicator light comes on, it’s a sign that you haven’t been maintaining your oil as frequently as you should. You will occasionally need to top off or change your oil. You should read your owner’s manual for instructions on when to do this.
THE OIL FILTER IS CLOGGED
If the oil filter in your Volvo is clogged, then the oil can’t flow freely and the pressure will drop. If this is the case, the filter needs to be cleaned or changed.
YOU HAVE AN OIL LEAK
There are several reasons why the oil may be leaking from your Volvo. If it is leaking, the “No Oil Pressure” light will switch on. If you notice a puddle of oil underneath your car after having it parked for a long time, or you smell burning oil while you drive, head to an automotive specialist. This could be a symptom of a much bigger issue.
YOU ARE USING THE WRONG TYPE OF OIL
If the type of oil that you or your mechanic put in your Volvo isn’t optimal, then your oil pressure will be affected, as viscosity levels change and keep things from running smoothly.
THE OIL PUMP IS FAILING
Eventually, the oil pump in your car will clog, malfunction, and then fail. This happens due to normal wear and tear most of the time. You have to get your oil pump replaced or repaired occasionally as part of the duties as a car owner.
THE SENSORS OR SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING
Sensors and gauges in a Volvo read information about various parts of your vehicle and transmit the data gathered to your car’s computer. If the sending unit is giving inaccurate information, you may see a warning light come on for no reason at all. It may be that your oil pressure is fine, but the sending unit needs repairs.
HOW TO FIX OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS
Your Volvo could be telling you that your oil pressure is low or even nonexistent for several reasons, some more critical than others. There’s even a chance that nothing is wrong at all. However, you should bring your Volvo to a specialist as soon as you can. The longer a problem goes undiagnosed and unresolved, the worse things can get for your car.
If you are a Volvo owner and you find yourself in need of some automotive assistance, you can trust the team at Autobahn Automotive to give you the highest quality of service in the San Antonio and Longhorn, TX areas. Our team has over 100+ years of combined experience, and Autobahn Automotive has been servicing vehicles like yours for over 40 years. That kind of experience is tough to beat.
In addition to Volvo vehicles, we also specialize in servicing the following brands:
At Autobahn Automotive, we can get you cruising on down the road again in no time without charging outrageous dealership prices. Make an appointment with us today by calling (210) 405-9461 or by requesting an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you and becoming your trusted Volvo service center.