I notice this morning on the way to school that when I brake hard that my idiot oil light comes on. What could this mean? Sorry guys, you know I'm not too mechanicly inclined.

 

if you dont have enough oil, you hit the brakes and the oil will slosh to the front of the oil pan, leaving the oil pump dry.....could be the problem.

 

I agree. First order of business is to check the oil level after the engine has been stopped for a least 10 minutes or so. Add oil until it's full if you're down any, and go from there.

 

check your oil level and if its full then you may need to check the oul sump screen it may be clogged. or worst case senario the pump may be on its way....

 

Alright, I check it again. I checked my oil on Saturday and it looked fine, but I really can never tell with this stupid dip stick. I mean really, could they have made the dip stick anymore retarded?

I hope its not my freakin oil leak.

 

make sure that all 4 sides are covered with oil on the dipstick if only 2 or 3 are your low and the oil is just being picked up from rubing agaist the dipstick tube i made this mastake and am in the process of replacing my engine because of it

 

Good Point. I've been doing that so long it is automatic, and I don't think about it. I also wipe the dipstick evey time I pull it, and reinsert it and pull it again before looking at the level.

 

and it may sound simple to all, but looking at your car in the driveway, please make sure you're on LEVEL ground before checking...

 

LOL - I learned that one the hard way from living in Philadelphia for a while after being raised a flatlander. I was going nuts getting different oil readings every time I checked it. But then I pulled out a machinist's bubble level....... There's just not much level ground in that place, it just looks level!!! Wound up moving the car around parking lots to different positions to get it reasonably level every time I wanted to check the oil!

 

I have a hard time checking my oil with the dip stick too; should I rotate the dip stick 360 degrees before pulling it out?