First post here so I hope this question hasn't been asked before, apologies if it has.

I have a 500 Cult and am wondering about the function of the oil lamp symbol. The light shows red when I turn on the ignition but then goes out.

My garage tells me it doesn't necessarily come on if you are low on oil or the car has low oil pressure. I've tried googling for the answer and checking the owners handbook it says the light will come on 'for versions / markets where provided'.

Does anyone know which versions or markets the oil light will have that functionality?

Thank you!

Welcome to FF!

The light coming on before you start the car and then going out shortly after is completely normal.

It's only a worry if it flashes/comes on when the car's running.

As per the previous reply, the oil light coming on and then going on with the ignition switch on as a self test.

The note about "where provided" refers to the text message on the display- all cars will have the warning light but some may not be fitted with the display that will show a text warning.

The garage are right - it isn't a low oil level warning light and it is possible for a small drop in oil pressure (such as you might see on a very old engine) not to trigger the oil warning light and in a diesel the light operates slightly different.

As per the handbook, the function of that light (in both petrol and diesel cars) if it comes on constantly is to alert you to a dangerous sudden drop in oil pressure (such as an oil pump failure, very low oil level or a catastrophic oil leak). The only advice if that light comes on is to STOP THE ENGINE ASAP (WITHIN SECONDS) or you may cause terminal engine damage.Do not drive the vehicle to the dealership, have it towed or low loadered.



The second function of the light, as per the handbook, is if it flashes on and off. This is only, AFAIK, implemented in diesel engined cars (possibly the twinair too. Definitely not 1.2 or 1.4 engines). In diesels, the oil is gradually contaminated with diesel (mostly due to cleaning the exhaust soot filter). This contamination reduces the ability of the oil to do its job properly.

The engine management system can infer the condition of the oil from various parameters* (engine run time, engine operating conditions, number of filter cleaning cycles run). Once the system detects the oil is likely to be contaminated, the oil warning light will flash (and again, if the display is fitted there will be a text message shown) to alert you that the oil and oil filter needs to be changed and the oil degradation parameter stored within the management system needs to be reset to "clean oil" status. In that case, book it in for an oil etc. change ASAP. Avoid excessive driving.

TL;DR:

You will have the oil light.

Oil light on constantly or pulsing on/off: STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY AND SWITCH THE ENGINE OFF. HAVE IT RECOVERED, DO NOT DRIVE.

Oil light continuously regularly flashing on a diesel: Book in for an oil change ASAP.

* For the n-th time, the 500 does not have an oil condition sensor.

Thank you for your reply and welcome Tom95. I understand the self tests when the car is turned on but was confused by the garage saying the light may or may not come on in conditions where there is low oil or low oil pressure. It seemed a bit vague for me when I wanted a definitive yes or no of low oil warning light. I had perhaps incorrectly assumed that my new car would inform me when I need to put more oil in?

Thank you for your detailed replied too Zanes. I guess the question about oil condition sensor has been raised a number of times before‽

At the risk of coming across as completely ignorant (I am still learning!) would my 500 Cult with TFT display show a low oil warning or not? I have never worried about low oil before as previous cars would flash when oil was required but I am not even sure if my UK Cult would.

If I need to become better at checking oil I'll have to remember rather than wait to be prompted by my car!

Thank you.

Bambolina said:

Thank you for your detailed replied too Zanes. I guess the question about oil condition sensor has been raised a number of times before‽

Click to expand...

Yes, it's been raised before. As I said, it doesn't have an oil condition sensor as otherwise you wouldn't need to have the oil degradation index reset on a diesel (and there isn't one on any wiring diagram I've seen.

Bambolina said:

At the risk of coming across as completely ignorant (I am still learning!) would my 500 Cult with TFT display show a low oil warning or not? I have never worried about low oil before as previous cars would flash when oil was required but I am not even sure if my UK Cult would.

If I need to become better at checking oil I'll have to remember rather than wait to be prompted by my car!

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Nope, no oil level warning on the 500. Just the previously mentioned oil pressure and (on the diesels) the oil condition/contamination warning.

You will have to check the oil yourself I'm afraid

Thanks Zanes, now I know for sure I'll have to get into a routine for checking oil levels.