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my low oil lamp came on this morning and i switched of the engine immediately.

is the engine toast or is there a safety margin when the light comes on?

It's fine mate, just pop some oil in it, probably need around a litre to bring it up to the right level. If you’re not sure yourself pop to your local dealer and they'll do it for you.

If you've had a few services might be worth finding out what oil you're running so you can put the same stuff in to top it up. Castrol edge 5W-30 is what I'm running and I think most are.

hope that helps

Jim

Was it the low oil level or low oil pressure warning?

If it's the low oil level, then there's no problem.

If it's the loe oil pressure, then you got a problem.

Generally if I dont put in 1-2 litres between services the low oil lamp comes on, these engines do use oil.
Check it regularly and if you "Use" the car then make sure its full before going on one of those drives or the track.

PetrolDave wrote:Was it the low oil level or low oil pressure warning?

If it's the low oil level, then there's no problem.

If it's the loe oil pressure, then you got a problem.

What's the difference Dave?

I've just got my car back from the body shop yesterday after an accident and on my commute to work this morning the low oil light comes on. So I put my 1 litre in when I arrive in the office car park and go to work. Lunchtime and I start the engine up and the light is back on. Check the dispstick as useless as it is and no oil on it. Went to local Audi dealer, bought another litre and filled, light still on. Bought another litre and put half in, light still on! Coolant is also at min (accident meant radiator was replaced so logical the coolant just hasn't settled to right level) but I am concerned that after 2.5 litres of oil the warning light is still on and reaching only minimum on the dipstick?

Suffice to say the car had the same mileage on it yesterday as when it got dropped off to be repaired, so at best it has been left to tick over in the garage and nothing else. Is this right after a front end smash?

BTW, local Audi said 'ooh, don't worry you could drive it back to the body shop 40 miles away with the oil warnign light on' Said after it drank 2.5 litres, I don't bloody think so!

Did you leave sufficient time after switching the engine off to allow the oil to drain back into the sump before you checked the dipstick?

I made this mistake recently and panicked thinking I had no oil. Left it a few minutes with the engine off and was relieved to see that I did in actual fact have enough.

Like said the 1st litre went in at 9am this morning and then switched on at lunchtime and the warning light came on again.

Had an Audi tech with me at the time at he did the measuring of the next litre and a half and advised it had to be booked in to look at.

P_G wrote:

PetrolDave wrote:Was it the low oil level or low oil pressure warning?

If it's the low oil level, then there's no problem.

If it's the low oil pressure, then you got a problem.

What's the difference Dave?

A huge difference....

Low oil level, which is a yellow warning, means that although the level is low you still had oil pressure so the engine was still getting properly lubricated. When you see this it means "carry on driving but top up the oil as soon as possible".

Low oil pressure, which is a red warning, means that the engine was not getting properly lubricated and parts are about to be permanently damaged. When you see this it means "switch off the engine immediately and investigate the cause".

I just ask as I have never seen the latter.

P_G wrote:I just ask as I have never seen the latter.

Let's hope none of us ever do see it.