YACT: Oil light comes on over 70mph

[PoPPeR]

Car: 1991 Lexus LS400
Problem: The oil light comes on when car goes over 70-75mph, will turn off again when car slows down.
Background: Happens everytime I get within ~1000 miles to my next due oil change (according to jiffy lubes little sticker things).

I don't think it's a leak, or else wouldn't the light just always be on?

 

[Scouzer]

Check the oil level...?

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
Check the oil level...?

Do you even know how to? <referring to op>

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
Car: 1991 Lexus LS400
Problem: The oil light comes on when car goes over 70-75mph, will turn off again when car slows down.
Background: Happens everytime I get within ~1000 miles to my next due oil change (according to jiffy lubes little sticker things).

I don't think it's a leak, or else wouldn't the light just always be on?

Have you not checked the level?

The oil light comes on when it starts registering a critically low oil pressure, meaning that even if it is full, it may still come on if the oil pump is dying, if there is a blockage, etc.

EDIT: If it is registering low enough to signal the oil pressure light, you may have already done enough damage. Usually that light comes on at a VERY low level.

 

[PoPPeR]

I don't actually. I'm sure some will laugh at me but i've never done any work on cars except add power steering fluid and I probably did something wrong while doing that as well

 

[PoPPeR]

k, so the problem probably isn't with the actual oil but something like the oil pump. And either way I need to give my mechanic a call?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
k, so the problem probably isn't with the actual oil but something like the oil pump. And either way I need to give my mechanic a call?

It could be low on oil too. The light means low oil pressure. No oil means no pressure.

 

[I rule]

It could be that the temperature in the engine compartment is causing the oil to jump around more than normal. And because it is so close to your next oil change I am guessing that their is a slight oil leak. I'd try pouring in a quart or so if when you take the dipstick out that it is low or medium in quantity. It can still be leaking and not have the light on all the way. Because when the car settles the oil cools down and has time to rest and stay where the light may not come on. The engine could just be old.

 

[PoPPeR]

but wouldn't the light come on during regular driving then if i was just low on oil?

 

[xXped0thugXx]

your oil pressure could be low

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Just get an oil change

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
k, so the problem probably isn't with the actual oil but something like the oil pump. And either way I need to give my mechanic a call?

It could be low on oil too. The light means low oil pressure. No oil means no pressure.

It's kinda wierd that it only comes on when the car is going fast though. Usually high speeds=high RPMs=high oil pressure.

But yeah, check the level...if it's at Full and the light still comes on, you have a problem.

 

[PoPPeR]

ic. Well I wouldn't be surprised if the engine was fvcked up, my dad prefers shady mechanics over the lexus dealership for some reason, and didn't take care of the car well before he handed it down. Dammit

 

[TechnoKid]

if i recall correctly, most toyota/lexus have both an oil pressure idiot light and a low oil level idiot light.

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
ic. Well I wouldn't be surprised if the engine was fvcked up, my dad prefers shady mechanics over the lexus dealership for some reason, and didn't take care of the car well before he handed it down. Dammit

That is still a great car though. If you keep up/catch up with the maintenance it should run for quite a few more years. What is the mileage?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
k, so the problem probably isn't with the actual oil but something like the oil pump. And either way I need to give my mechanic a call?

It could be low on oil too. The light means low oil pressure. No oil means no pressure.

It's kinda wierd that it only comes on when the car is going fast though. Usually high speeds=high RPMs=high oil pressure.

But yeah, check the level...if it's at Full and the light still comes on, you have a problem.

Could be the oil pressure relief valve sticking open.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
I don't actually. I'm sure some will laugh at me but i've never done any work on cars except add power steering fluid and I probably did something wrong while doing that as well

It's really simple. Somewhere around your engine there will be a tab to pull (usually label engine oil). Just pull that out and out will come a long strip of metel. Holding it horizontally, look at the end of the metal. There should be two notches, labeled High and Low. There should be little oil marks somewhere inbetween. Wipe it clean with a paper towel, stick it back in, and pull it out again to check the level. If it's pretty close to the Low mark, just add some oil, incrementally and always checking the level. Too much oil isn't good for the engine either (don't know why though).

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
ic. Well I wouldn't be surprised if the engine was fvcked up, my dad prefers shady mechanics over the lexus dealership for some reason, and didn't take care of the car well before he handed it down. Dammit

That is still a great car though. If you keep up/catch up with the maintenance it should run for quite a few more years. What is the mileage?

134k iirc... somewhere around 130-135

 

[backinsac]

Never heard of anyone taking a Lexus to Jiffy Lube for an oil change.

 

[PoPPeR]

thx for advice, i'll do that now

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: backinsac
Never heard of anyone taking a Lexus to Jiffy Lube for an oil change.

yes i know... but parents pay for oil change, so parents decide where car goes.

I wanted to take an autoshop class last semester to learn all this stuff but had some schedule conflicts. blah

 

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
k, so the problem probably isn't with the actual oil but something like the oil pump. And either way I need to give my mechanic a call?

It could be low on oil too. The light means low oil pressure. No oil means no pressure.

It's kinda wierd that it only comes on when the car is going fast though. Usually high speeds=high RPMs=high oil pressure.

But yeah, check the level...if it's at Full and the light still comes on, you have a problem.

Though, at high rpms the oil will be sloshed around and moved away from the pan more readily than when at lower rpms (im guessing). So mabey he has a slight oil leak, that doesn't read on the oil level sensor at normal driving, but when the oil starts to move around and not sit in the pan as much, it comes up.

 

[TechnoKid]

make sure you check the oil level on a level flat ground and when the engine is warm (oil expands a little bit when its hot/warm).

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
make sure you check the oil level on a level flat ground and when the engine is warm (oil expands a little bit when its hot/warm).

You also need to let the car sit for a little while or the oil will still be in all over the engine still and the pan will read low.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
make sure you check the oil level on a level flat ground and when the engine is warm (oil expands a little bit when its hot/warm).

You also need to let the car sit for a little while or the oil will still be in all over the engine still and the pan will read low.

about 5 to 10 minutes should do it. i forgot to mention that.