dapplestein

Is my oil pressure gauge broken?

When I turn it on, at idle, it reads about 2 to 3. After warm up, at idle it reads about 1.5.

After warm up, as soon as I leave from a stop and speed up the needle immediately goes from 1.5 right up to about 4.5 to 5. It really doesn't change (up or down) with the RPM's.. Is that normal?

Thanks for any info, experience or advice.

zenithblue993

That sounds normal to me. Exactly what my car does.

bjornebo

Mine is similar as well. 4-5 when idling and cold. As the oil warms, the pressure at idle decreases and settles in at 2. When the oil has warmed to normal operating temperature and engine speed is above ~2000 rpm, my pressure is 5 or just a bit above.

phoneyman

sounds normal to my setup as well. As long as you have the correct amount and type of oil in there, i wouldnt worry about the oil gauges besides the temp. Even that changes drastically with outside weather influences.

f1ava

at warm idle , engine revving should makes oil pressure needle also jump , yes ? should not be stuck on 4-5 all the time .

at cruising , oil pressure needle around 3 ... with revs throttle increase , should jump from 3 to 5 , yes ?

Quadcammer

you using 0w-40?

Dr. Ferdinand

Pretty much yes to both based on my experience: I am generally at 4-5 when driving/cruising, low when idling, gauge rises as you rev even if stationary.

NYC993

-5 during warm up due to higher idle rpms
-3 when engine is warm
-it goes to 5 once rpms are above 1k or so
-There is very little range, about 800-1000rpms or so when the oil pressure will move between 3 and 5.


I'm below 3 only when oil is very hot. I run 15w50.

TMc993

My car is exactly the same. I also use 15w50.

The only thing I would add is that the needle on my oil pressure gauge never "jumps." It moves smoothly up/down with increases/decreases in RPM.

Paolo1

Does anyone know the rationale behind the 3 oil gauges? What value is information if it is not actionable?

NYC993

???
Oil pressure, temps and level are pretty important in an oil-cooled car.

Quadcammer

what are you speaking about?

If you have low oil pressure, you had better take action.
If oil temps are cold, your actions with the throttle should be limited.
And if you have low oil, your action should be to add some.

phoneyman

The oil temp one works very consistently in my car and relays the most important info.

The other two are more like idiot lights in my mind. Sometimes the CEL comes on in cars and after using a scantool you realize its something of no consequence. If your oil pressure gauge wont go past "1" or when warmed up,stopped, and on level surface the oil level gauge is still in the red, might as well open up the deck lid and do the official oil check.

They have their uses, but arent gospel when it comes to exact info.

TMc993

I disagree...I consider the oil pressure gauge to be a critical indicator of the health of my engine...I know normal behavior of the gauge for my engine and should the gauge vary even a little, I would be concerned far beyond checking the oil level.

Paolo1

This is what I am reacting to Quad.. "As long as you have the correct amount and type of oil in there, i wouldnt worry about the oil gauges besides the temp. Even that changes drastically with outside weather influences."