What reasons will an Oil light come on? Could it just be because i'm in need of an oil change? *just bought this car*

Is there something that reads why the oil lights are on? Like at auto zone?

 

What are you driving? Year? Engine size? Mileage?

 

The oil light usually indicates when it's too late, lol, kidding. Well, not really, it normally tells you if your oil level is low. If you're on an incline, it may give false readings (better be a steep incline) but not usually. If your oil light is on, the most obvious thing to do is check your oil level, check to make sure it's not dark, and be sure to do this on a flat surface. Good luck.

 

00 Durango 4.7 with 90k

 

Oh....a 4.7...check your oil level right away (as mentioned already in the thread). The oil light usually means that the oil level is low..or the oil pressure is low. Since it's a 4.7...hope for it just being the level And switch to synthetic oil on your next oil change. The 4.7 is a VERY bad motor to be having oil problems with. They are notorious for sludging themselves to death at an early age [:'(]

 

Well, my pressure is normal when im at idle, but it rises when im driving... is that a big problem? Also when I start the car up sometimes black stuff shoots out of the exhaust pipe.. and I feel some hesitation sometimes. Any ideas?

 

Rising oil pressure while accelerating motor rpm is normal. Keeping an eye on the needle every so often helps too, and no, it's not a problem for it to rise like that. The black smoke means you're running rich at that time or moment or that your cat is clogged or both.