Engine oil sign

[mk08]

Good evening
A friend of mine has rang rover. He constantly gets low oil sign. He has topped the oil a few times but it still comes on after a day or two. Happened many times. There is no leak as well.
Took it to garage and oil was topped up again.

Does anyone know what could be the reason?

Thank you in advance.

Edited by mk08 on Saturday 27th April 19:05

[valiant]

Its either leaking it or burning it.

Any excess smoke from the exhaust?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

If it was a sensor, the oil level would be ok.

So I concur, it's either burning it or leaking it. And if it is throwing an oil warning light after a couple of days, you'd see the pool of oil.

I'd say burning it. What's the car and mileage?

[SkodaIan]

When he tops up the oil, is he checking it has been fully topped up (using the dipstick)?

Different people have different definitions of what "topping up" means. By the time an oil level warning light comes on most cars need the best part of a litre of oil to get it back to the correct level. If he's just putting in a few cupfuls each time this could explain why the light keeps coming back on.

Also note that some cars will reset the oil level warning light if you open and close the bonnet regardless of whether you put any oil in. If you haven't put oil in, the light comes back on after the engine has been started, stopped and started again.

If he is genuinely putting in a litre of oil pretty much every time the car is run, there would be a lot of blue smoke coming out the back as it was burnt......

[Mr Happy]

Oil can warning lights are usually for low oil pressure, not low oil level. The level is usually shown on the mileage cluster or infotainment screen.

I suspect the engine may have other issues.

[ninepoint2]

Mr Happy said:

Oil can warning lights are usually for low oil pressure, not low oil level. The level is usually shown on the mileage cluster or infotainment screen.

I suspect the engine may have other issues.

Can be warning lights for both level and pressure, it's often a faulty sensor issue

[Mr Happy]

ninepoint2 said:

Mr Happy said:

Oil can warning lights are usually for low oil pressure, not low oil level. The level is usually shown on the mileage cluster or infotainment screen.

I suspect the engine may have other issues.

Can be warning lights for both level and pressure, it's often a faulty sensor issue

Which cars have a low oil level warning light independent of the infotainment or mileage cluster?

Genuine question, I'm unaware of any.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

My Range Rover. L405 SDV8. Also, oddly enough, I've seen it on a Renault Trafic.

If it was a faulty sensor, the dipstick would show no loss of oil.

[ninepoint2]

Mr Happy said:

Which cars have a low oil level warning light independent of the infotainment or mileage cluster?

Genuine question, I'm unaware of any.

My S8 and RS6 both have it, screenshot of S8 warning signs

[NRG1976]

If your friend struggles to find the dipstick on his Range Rover, tell him it on range rovers is normally behind the steering wheel

[E-bmw]

Mr Happy said:

ninepoint2 said:

Mr Happy said:

Oil can warning lights are usually for low oil pressure, not low oil level. The level is usually shown on the mileage cluster or infotainment screen.

I suspect the engine may have other issues.

Can be warning lights for both level and pressure, it's often a faulty sensor issue

Which cars have a low oil level warning light independent of the infotainment or mileage cluster?

Genuine question, I'm unaware of any.

Perhaps (not sure) the MINIs with the central display as that fulfils some warning light functions on some of them.

[stevieturbo]

mk08 said:

Good evening
A friend of mine has rang rover. He constantly gets low oil sign. He has topped the oil a few times but it still comes on after a day or two. Happened many times. There is no leak as well.
Took it to garage and oil was topped up again.

Does anyone know what could be the reason?

Thank you in advance.

Edited by mk08 on Saturday 27th April 19:05

What vehicle ? any history ?

And is this friend putting the oil where it is supposed to go ?

And as others have said, what exactly is this low oil sign ? and how do they then determine actual oil level before and after adding any if needed ?

Far too little information here.

[Mr Happy]

ninepoint2 said:

Mr Happy said:

Which cars have a low oil level warning light independent of the infotainment or mileage cluster?

Genuine question, I'm unaware of any.

My S8 and RS6 both have it, screenshot of S8 warning signs

You learn something new every day! Cheers!