Having your Volvo in the best shape involves being able to monitor its systems and how they operate. You can’t always loosen bolts and dismantle parts to check this, though, so that’s why the dashboard has various icons, figures, and warning lights to keep you informed on what is going on with your car.
The oil pressure light on your Volvo’s dashboard is a warning light that helps to alert you once your engine’s oil pressure is below optimal. Low oil pressure affects the engine’s function and can cause irreparable damage if not caught early. What do you do when the light comes on? Let’s find out!
What Causes the Oil Pressure Light to Come On?
If the oil pressure warning light comes on in your Volvo, these are the possible causes;
1. Contaminated/ Low Quality Oil
The engine oil’s function is to provide lubrication to the engine’s parts; if this oil is substandard or riddled with contaminants, it has poor fluidity and this affects its ability to circulate through the engine and provide lubrication. Due to the poor flow of oil in this situation, the oil pressure light illuminates on your car’s dash.
2. Oil Pump Failure
The oil pump helps to circulate oil throughout the engine and its parts. When this pump wears out over time or gets damaged due to other factors, it fails to effectively circulate oil and this causes a drop in oil pressure, leading to an illuminated warning light.
3. Clogged Oil Filter
Knowing the dangers that contaminants have on a car’s engine, the oil filters exist to prevent the entry of dirt and other damaging materials into the oil and the engine. Over time, this filter can get clogged due to the accumulation of these dirty materials, restricting the flow of oil through the engine, causing a lower oil pressure and triggering the warning light to come on.
What Should You Do When the Oil Pressure Light in Your Volvo Comes On?
Now that you understand the reasons why the oil pressure warning light could come on in your car, here are a few things you can do or check to fix it;
Oil Level
The first thing to look at is your car’s engine oil level as a low oil level can trigger the oil pressure light to come on. Use the dipstick in the oil tank to check what level the oil is at, and if it is below the normal level, you should refill with quality oil. If the oil level is where it should be, though, it means there are other things to check.
Oil Leaks
If you notice that the oil level is low after a recent refilling, you should check for oil leaks as it could be the reason for the low oil pressure that is triggering the warning light. Look around the engine bay and under your car’s hood for signs of leaks.
Oil Quality
Another thing that can affect your car’s oil pressure that you should look out for is the quality of the engine oil. If you use substandard or contaminated oil, it affects the flow of oil through the engine, leading to low oil pressure. Check to make sure the oil in your car is transparent (not brown or dark) and runny (not sludgy).
Listen for Noises
If there are no leaks and your car’s oil level is normal but the oil pressure light is still on, it means there is a pressure problem and not an oil quantity issue. In this case, check for signs of damage to the oil pump. One way to do that is to listen for clicking or other unusual noises from the engine area.
Where to Deal Your Volvo’s Oil Pressure Light in Highlands
If you have problems with your car’s oil 
pressure light and you have tried all you can to fix it, then you need a professional to determine what is wrong with your car and how to go about fixing it.
At Highlands Automotive in Highlands, NC, we make use of sophisticated equipment for accurate diagnosis and effective repairs. You bring your car to us with its faults, we check to determine what the problem is, and our highly-trained technicians use their skills and experience to provide a solution. All you have to do is to book an appointment with us and you can have your car in a better shape in no time.