Why Does My Oil Light Come On When I Brake?

The oil light typically appears when your car engine is running low on oil. However, if it pops on when you’re braking, it can become more confusing and you may start looking for ideas on why this happens. So, what causes this odd behavior?

Why does my oil light come on when I brake? The oil light comes on when braking due to low oil level, faulty oil pressure sensor, oil leak, or defective oil pump. Lack of servicing can also cause the light to come on when braking. Check your oil level immediately after the light comes on and, if necessary, consult a mechanic for further assistance.

In this article, you’ll discover all the potential causes of the brake light coming on when you brake and tips for diagnosing your car and fixing this issue. We’ll also discuss why the brake light flickers when braking and why it comes on when braking or turning.

Why does my oil light come on when I brake?

As we’ve just said in the intro above, several reasons can be behind the brake light coming on when you brake. In this section, we’ll discuss each of these causes and how it makes the light come on and the perfect solution to it.

Low oil level

The most common reason behind your oil light coming on when you brake is low engine oil levels.

When you press the brake pedal, your vehicle’s forward motion causes oil to shift toward the front of your oil pan, exposing the oil pump pickup tube.

If your oil is running low, it creates temporary oil pressure loss and causes the oil light to come on.

Oil leak

An oil leak in your engine will also potentially cause the oil light to come on. Oil leaks may result from old gaskets, cracked engine heads, etc., and can lead to low levels of oil.

Thus, when the oil pressure decreases when you brake, there is no sufficient amount of oil in oil pan to lubricate various components of your car engine, causing the oil light to pop on.

You should check beneath your car or on the ground where your car was parked for stains or pooling of the engine oil. In case your car is experiencing an oil leak, you should have it fixed as soon as possible.

Faulty oil pressure sensor

If you have checked your oil and it is at the perfect level, you may want to check if you have a faulty oil pressure sensor.

Generally, oil pressure in your vehicle tends to increase or decrease whenever you apply the brakes.

If the sensor is malfunctioning, it will not read the oil pressure drop correctly, causing the oil light to come on whenever you brake.

Defective oil pump

The function of your vehicle’s oil pump is to ensure flow of pressurized oil to various parts of your car engine including bearings, camshaft, and sliding pistons. One of the key signs of a bad pump is decreased oil pressure.

While the pump going bad can keep the oil light on at all times, it’s more likely that oil pressure dropping at low RPMs will activate if you apply the brakes of a car with faulty oil pump.

Lack of servicing

Is your car due for an oil change? If yes, it could be the reason the oil light just popped on your dash.

Over time, the oil breaks down and loses its effectiveness in cooling and lubricating your engine.

If you’re late to flush the old one and replace it with a new one, it can lead to serious damage to your engine that requires a lot of money to fix.

Still at it, if your car oil filter is clogged, it may also hinder proper oil flow and cause a drop in oil pressure.

This is another reason for the light to come on. Whenever you change your oil, it’s also advisable to change your oil filter as well.

What do to if oil light comes on when you brake?

When dealing with the issue of your oil light coming on when you brake, it’s important to note that some of the causes we’ve discussed above are best handled by a professional.

However, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try to uncover the source of the problem. These steps include:

• Check the oil level: Use a dipstick to check the oil level. If it has fallen below the recommended mark, top it up using the right type of oil for your car recommended by the manufacturer. If the oil is within the recommended range, move on to the steps below.
• Inspect your car for leaks: Check your vehicle engine and surrounding areas for signs of oil leak. Check underneath the car or engine components for oil stains or puddles. If you spot any leaks, have the issue address by a reputable mechanic immediately to prevent further oil loss and potential engine damage.
• Replace faulty oil pressure sensor: Do you suspect your oil pressure sensor may be faulty? If yes, get a qualified mechanic to correctly diagnose it and determine if needs a replacement or if you have a wiring issue.
• Practice regular oil changes: This is more of a preventive measure. Regularly check the oil level and ensure it stays at the recommended levels. Ensure you change your engine oil at regular intervals as recommended by the car manufacturer. Use only high-quality oil recommended for your car. Regular oil changes keep the oil clean and prevent the filters from clogging and causing a drop in oil pressure.

If you can’t find the problem on your own, it is important to have a certified mechanic or dealership diagnose and fix your car. The mechanics have the necessary tools as well as expertise to diagnose your car and accurately pinpoint the issue causing the light to come on.

Why oil light comes on when braking and turning

Some drivers also experience the oil light coming on when braking or turning. This is even more common when you brake or turn hard.

This is caused by the braking or turning causing the oil to slosh in oil pan, leading to the oil pump sucking air.

In other words, the oil pump pickup tube becomes exposed/starved and as a result, the low oil pressure warning light is triggered.

We, therefore, advise you to check your engine oil level and top it off as necessary. Remember to use the recommended type of oil for your car engine.

Other likely causes for this issue include oil pump issues, sensor problems, or wire issues.

Why oil light comes on when braking after oil change

If your oil light comes on when braking after a car oil change, you’d first want to ensure you didn’t feed your engine with the wrong type of oil.

If you did this blunder, then you should have the oil flushed and replaced with the correct oil as soon as possible.

If you’ve confirmed you use the right oil for your car, then you may want to confirm if there’s enough oil in your vehicle engine.

If the oil is low, it is possible you didn’t add it to the recommended level during the last oil change. Alternatively, you could be having an oil leak causing the levels to drop.

Worn-out brake pads could also be the culprit here. Worn-out pads will create excessive friction when they get in contact with rotors.

This may lead to an increase in the temperature of the brakes, which will be interpreted as overheating and trigger the oil light to come on.

If the solutions above do not resolve the issue, consult an auto mechanic to diagnose your car and find out what needs to be fixed.

Low oil pressure light came on when hard braking

If low oil pressure light comes on when you hard brake or slam, you should start by checking the oil level.

If it is below the recommended level, it is definitely the culprit behind the light flashing on.

This problem usually happens when the oil shifts under hard braking, temporarily exposing the oil pump pickup tube. This causes it to register as low oil.

The light could also come on if the oil is too thin (low viscosity), making it unable to provide proper lubrication and maintain correct oil pressure when you brake hard. In this case, you should ensure you only use manufacturer-recommended oil viscosity.

Oil that’s overdue and oil pump issues are other reasons why the low oil pressure light may come on when hard braking.

Why oil light comes on when braking but oil is full

If your engine oil light comes on despite the oil being full, the issue could be a faulty oil pressure sensor, oil pump problems, or contaminated oil that’s overdue.

Have a qualified mechanic diagnose your car to find out what’s causing the light to come on.

Is It Safe To Drive With Oil Light Flickering?

It is NOT safe to drive with oil light flickering. The oil light coming on usually indicates a decrease in oil pressure, which is usually a sign of a critical engine issue.

As such, continuing to operate your car with the oil light flashing can result in severe engine components damage and even total engine failure!

We advise you to pull over when the oil light starts flashing and get a mechanic to diagnose and resolve the cause of the light coming on.

If you choose to ignore the flickering light and continue driving your car, then you’ll be attracting costly repairs to your car.

And depending on the underlying issue, your car may even become inoperable in no time.

If you’re experiencing the issue where the oil light comes on when you brake, you may also find our article on how long can you drive with your brake light on helpful. This article provides insights into the implications and safety considerations of driving with the brake light illuminated. Additionally, if you’re looking for guidance on how to replace a brake light, our article on how to replace a brake light offers step-by-step instructions to help you with this task.

FAQs:

Why does my oil light flicker on and off while slowing down?

Oil light flickers on and off while slowing down due to low oil pressure or a malfunctioning oil pressure sensor.

How do I stop my oil light from coming on while braking?

To stop oil light from coming on while braking, ensure your car engine oil is at the correct levels, there are no oil leaks, replace any faulty sensors, inspect the oil pump, and ensure regular oil changes.

Is brake fluid and engine oil same?

No brake fluid and engine oil aren’t the same. The former goes into the hydraulic braking system while the latter lubricates moving engine components.

Conclusion

This article has just discussed all the potential causes for oil light to come on when braking. These include a low oil level, faulty oil pressure sensor, bad oil pump, and oil leaks. Not changing your oil on time can also cause the oil light to come on as the old oil becomes ineffective.

Follow our troubleshooting tips in the above article to diagnose your car for the underlying issue causing this problem. If you’re unable to diagnose the problem on your own, it’s advisable to take your car to a certified mechanic for professional assistance.