Low Oil Pressure At Idle – Common Causes & How to Fix

Motor oil is a fluid that runs through the engine for lubrication, keeping it from wearing out prematurely. The oil pressure must be just right for the engine to get what it needs. If there’s low oil pressure at idle, there’s something wrong demanding your attention.

In this guide, we cover the differences between normal oil pressure and low oil pressure. We go on to evaluate reasons for low oil pressure and show you how to fix it. Finally, you can get some answers to your most important questions when you get to the end of our article. 

What is Considered Normal Oil Pressure at Idle?

Oil pressure is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI). Every car has a different normal, but you can find the information for your model in the service manual. On average, the following measurements are typically true.

• Car oil pressure: 25 to 65 PSI while driving, 20 to 30 PSI at idle
• Truck oil pressure: 30 to 70 PSI while driving, 25 to 35 PSI at idle

Anything going lower than the minimum is considered to be running low. The opposite can also be true. If the oil pressure exceeds normal parameters, it’s considered too high. 

Whether oil pressure gets too low or high, it can lead to engine problems. By paying attention to the oil pressure level, you can head off costly repairs and permanent damage. 

What Is Too Low Oil Pressure At Idle?

Any time that the oil pressure goes below what’s normal for your vehicle, it’s considered to be too low. For the majority of cars, the measurement would be 20 PSI or lower, but you need to check your service manual to see what’s normal. 

With most vehicles, a warning light will come on once the oil pressure gets too low. As the oil pressure gets too low, the lubricating fluid can no longer circulate through the engine as it should. As the parts run without lubrication, engine damage can occur. 

Reasons For Low Oil Pressure At Idle

There’s usually a mechanical malfunction causing the low oil pressure, whether it is due to a lack of oil, poor quality, or the wrong viscosity. It can also be caused by a bad oil pump, filter, sensor or gauge. In the most extreme cases, the reason for low oil pressure at idle is due to engine damage. 

We evaluate these possibilities in-depth, based on what we have seen as professional auto mechanics. 

1. Low Oil Level

One of the most common reasons for reduced pressure is a lack of oil. If oil gets below the low dipstick marking, the oil pump isn’t able to supply what’s needed for the engine. 

When the oil pressure gets too low, you may also smell something burning. Furthermore, the engine can start to make a ticking noise and the motor won’t be able to perform as it normally does. 

READ MORE: How to Check Your Car’s Engine Oil (Read The Dipstick)

2. Poor Oil Quality or Wrong Viscosity

Even if there is enough oil, the same problems can occur if the quality is low or you are using the wrong viscosity. Bad oil becomes too thin due to the engine heat, thereby reducing the pressure. It can also get dirty as it continues circulating through the engine, which also reduces the viscosity.

If you’ve used the wrong viscosity in the motor, several other problems can occur. The motor oil may not be able to circulate properly through the engine, leading to lowered pressure. For these reasons, it’s important to get regular oil changes and use the proper oil viscosity as outlined in the owner’s manual. 

3. Bad Oil Pump

The oil pump is responsible for circulating the oil through the motor. If the oil pump starts to fail, the pumping capacity is severely diminished, making it difficult for the engine to get the lubrication it needs.

As oil fails to reach parts of the engine, the pressure drops, especially at idle. Plus, there will be a dramatic decrease in power from the motor. 

4. Clogged Oil Filter

Oil passes through a filter before going into the engine to remove contaminants and debris. If the filter isn’t changed frequently enough, it becomes clogged and oil can no longer freely flow into the engine.

You will notice a drop in oil pressure, especially at idle. If the engine doesn’t get any oil because of the clogged filter, it will no longer be able to function. 

5. Faulty Oil Pressure Gauge or Sensor

The oil pressure sensor determines how much oil pressure is in the engine. This signal is sent to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and the information is displayed on the gauge. 

All of these electronic parts can fail, leading to a faulty reading. With either of these problems, the warning light on the dashboard should come on, indicating the presence of low oil pressure, whether real or perceived. 

6. Worn Engine

As the car gets older and it’s driven many miles, the engine starts to wear out. The internal parts experience more wear and the clearances increase. Oil pressure can only remain within normal ranges when the resistance is correct inside the engine. 

Some people choose to use a higher viscosity grade when the engine starts to wear out, but this is only a temporary fix. Eventually, the motor will need to be rebuilt or replaced. 

How To Fix Low Oil Pressure At Idle

If you want to repair the low oil pressure situation, it’s best to tackle the problem the same way professional technicians do. Here’s what we would do, and you can try it as well. 

1. Check the Oil Level

Your first step is to check how much oil is in the system. You can do this by pulling out the oil dipstick and reading the level. It should be between the empty and full marks on the stick. If it’s not, you need to add more oil. 

If the engine continues to drop low in oil, you may be dealing with an oil leak. You should inspect the system to see where the oil is dripping from. There can be a leak in the oil pan or one of the seals. It could also be coming from a gasket. 

2. Oil and Filter Change

If the oil level is okay, but you notice that it’s dirty or contaminated, it’s time to perform an oil change. You also want to do this if you’ve accidentally used the wrong oil viscosity. 

Most manufacturers recommend an oil and filter change every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on what type of oil you use. However, if you are hard on your vehicle, you may need to get more frequent changes. Towing heavy loads or operating your car in mountainous terrain all take a toll on the engine and the oil. Changing the oil more frequently only helps it remain in better condition to protect the motor. 

3. Test Oil Pressure With a Manual Pressure Gauge

If you think there might be something wrong with the gauge, you can test the oil pressure manually. Here are some basic steps to follow.

1. Lift the front end of the vehicle to provide more clearance.
2. Find the engine oil pressure sender. It’s sometimes located near the oil filter housing.
3. Place a drain pan under the engine to catch any spillage.
4. Take off the electrical connector from the sender.
5. Remove the sender from the block with a socket.
6. Attach the oil pressure gauge.
7. Check the oil level and top it off if needed.
8. Run the engine at idle for five minutes, allowing it to reach normal operating temperatures.
9. Reference the service manual to determine the appropriate RPM to run the oil pressure test at.
10. You also want to know the proper oil pressure range for that RPM based on information from the service manual. 
11. Record the oil pressure readings.
12. Turn off the engine. 
13. Let the engine cool down.
14. Remove the tester and reinstall the sender.
15. Reinstall the electrical connector.
16. Carefully lower your vehicle back to the ground.

If you are getting a different reading manually than what’s showing on the dash, the gauge or sensor could be faulty. 

4. Inspect the Oil Pump

If you think the oil pump may be to blame, you need to remove it from the motor for an inspection. Take the cover off of the pump so you can look for signs of wear. There may be heavy scoring inside the cover. You should also look for metal particles in the pump body. Be mindful of how everything comes apart so you can put it back together when you are done. 

If the pump shows wear, you want to replace it with a new one. If it still looks good, you can consider cleaning it up and reinstalling it, but most people just decide to replace it.  

The oil pump is often located inside the oil pan and is often difficult to reach. Therefore, you should be absolutely sure that you have checked everything else before starting this process.

5. Contact A Professional

It’s not easy to deal with low oil pressure on a car. A lot of the problems could be advanced and above your mechanical understanding. If so, it’s best to reach out to a professional. 

Check online reviews before choosing a mechanic. When dealing with the car engine, you don’t want to take any chances by using someone with a lack of understanding. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Low oil pressure should never be messed around with. The reason that there’s a gauge and a warning light on the display is to ensure you are always informed. At the first sign of low oil pressure, especially while idling, it’s best to have the vehicle looked at.

If you resolve the problem quickly, you may prevent future engine damage. Otherwise, you could cause irreversible damage that leads to massive repair bills.

Learn more:

• What is Normal Engine Oil Pressure?
• 4 Symptoms Of Low Oil Pressure and Common Causes
• 10 Reasons Why Your Low Oil Pressure Light Is On