So in reading some of the old posts, I've seen that people say look out for the oil pressure warning light. What does the warning look like? Is it a little flicker when you start the car or does it stay lit. I heard that it doesn't give much warning and I don't quite no what that means as far as a visual indication. Just trying to get a better idea of what I should be looking for.

 

Mine flickers a little at startup, that's not a big deal.

If it flickers even a little bit WHILE DRIVING, stop driving immediately. If it comes on steady while driving, stop immediately.

It could be something as simple as a oil pressure switch (or oil pressure sending unit, same thing) that needs to be replaced. I am planning on replacing mine soon

 

Mine flickers a little at start up as well. I think I read a post where they said that it does not give much warning. I just don't know if it was always like this and I've just become paranoid or that's how it always was. I already changed my oil pressure switch (it was leaking).

Thanks.

 

It is an off/on swith that illuminates the light under 5psi. By the time you are down to 5 psi, damage has already been done.

 

Flickers a little at startup is OK? Or is that a sign that the oil pump may be starting its slow and steady decline?

Mine never flickers, it just goes away. Only when I have changed the oil does it do the flicker thing, and I take that as being OK because I have just drained all oil from the car, so it better flicker then. That shows that its working right.


Also, perhaps related, I always user the thicker oil, 10w30. I hardly ever use 5W30. The 30 part is more important than the 5 imo.

DW

 

I use the 5w30 and it has done it since I did the first oil change after buying the car.

I may go up to the 10W anyhow, since I've never really been a fan of the thin 5w...

 

To find the oil light, turn your key to the run position, where all the warning lights (Check engine, seat belt etc) are on, but dont start the car. . You should see a yellow light that looks like an oil can. That's the oil pressure warning light.

DW

 

thought it was red...

 

That is my question. If I have not started the car for a few hours, once it starts it flashes on and off briefly and then goes away. By briefly I mean for a second so a couple of flashes.

 

I know what the oil light is and it's red. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't looking at a problem and not recognize it. So far it seems that upon startup, it will flash very briefly and that's ok.

 

OK red

For all of you with lightly flickering oil lights what type oil do you use?

DW

 

Don't know what the original owner used, but when I did the first oil change after purchasing the car in January, the shop used 5w-30 synthetic BLEND. That's when I first noticed it, tbh

 

10W30

 

The oil pressure sender is a known failure item on our cars. They tend to leak as well.
If your seeing it flicker, I'd start by replacing it. (Quickly too)

They call them IDIOT lights for a reason.

 

10W30 syn Mobil 1 is what I use and get the flicker but I got the flicker on 5W30 as well. My car isn't leaking any kind of oil.

 

Looks like njmax has the answer.
I thought the type of oil may have a bearing, but since everyone is using different types and viscosities, no relation whatsoever.

DW

 

If the light is flickering and then going away, you have leveled off oil and no leaks, it could be as simple as the pressure sensor is dirty and having difficulties reading the pressure. Or, the sensor could be on it's way out. Either which way, the light is their for a reason. If you truly love your Maxima and want to do correct preventative maintenance, change it out. Our cars are old enough as is and many have high mileage meaning that it does not take as much to damage the engine as a newer car. Seriously, the part is less than $10. Why risk it?

 

finally gotaround to changing my oil pressure sensor, it was covered in oil, and also leaking oil everytime I park or shut the car off. Now now more oil leak for now lol.

 

was your light coming on or was it just leaking? my oil light flickers when i first start it for a fraction of a second.....where is it ? easy to get at?

 

i've replaced that stupid sensor like 3 times and the light still flickers at start up. our cars are old and most likely the pressure is not what it used to be cause that idiot light still flickers. go figure.

 

ya, i wouldnt think the flicker would mean low oil pressure since my 98 only has 112k on it!

 

Well it makes sense though, that during the startup the oil pressure is building...which means that for several split seconds the pressure is likely low enough to trigger that idiot light...

 

The light can also come on or flicker because The idle speed is low or air is being restricted to the engine or u could be loosing fuel pressure when u start the car which could cause the light to flicker. I'm talking from experience and from the Haynes manual because of a low idle speed the oil pressure will become low as well. So stop waisting ur money on replacing sensors and make sure all these things are not the cause of the oil light.

 

Ive known it was leaking for a little while, The light comes on for a few seconds during startup which is normal. But If I go past my oil change interval, say 6K miles at a standstill it will come on and warn me steadily, time for an oil change!! Everytime I park there would be a small puddle underneath the car. So glad i changed it, a messy job So i took it to mechanic, could have it myself but didnt want to get soaked in oil.

 

It seems like the only time mine flicker is when shes past due on her oil change. I know my oil pressure is good cause lately when I come to a stop on side/block streets the idle goes down to about 200rpms at times barely touching the 0 mark on the rpms.

She has 135 k miles on her. Theyre known for leaking sometimes really bad

 

no, really? who told you this?? some mechanic probably, or, you looked underneath the engine. i've got 257,000 and she's been leaking so long i added a piece of roofing tin to keep the timing cover from leaking on the alternator and i add at least 1/2 to 3/4 a quart of oil between oil changes.