Headhoncho1

Sup everyone I have a quick question about oil changes. Im a car noob and dont know anything so dont flame please lol. So anyways my 98 civic oil light has started to flicker so I am going to take it to get an oil change. I was wondering what a good price for an oil change should be and if I am supposed to bring my own oil along? Thanks

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

Assuming this is a real post, your oil light on is a very bad thing. It does not mean you need a change, it means that you have very low oil pressure. Check the level, if it is where it should be, take it to a shop immediately.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

Thats....not an oil change light.
It means either your oil pressure was low or your pressure sensor is bad. I wouldn't drive it or turn it on anymore. Check the oil level and add oil if needed.

Headhoncho1

I really hope it's just the sensor not working because its flickers when I am coming to a stop most of the time

B_Swapped93

lol....that's more then likely not a bad sensor as oppose to you're low on oil or your pump is failing, then if it did it randomly ya maybe.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

That means your oil level is painfully, stupidly low. It's a dummy light. There are two reasons behind the name. First off, it's an "on/off" switch in that it doesn't detect pressure, so much as it says "****, there's no more pressure, need to turn the light on!". Second off, you're a dummy if you let it come on.

Every time you stop for gas, you should pop your hood and check your oil level. Period. If it isn't at LEAST at the bottom line, top it off.

shovelhead_chop

very good advice.

I recomend to get into a habbit of checking oil every week, get in a routine, & you may have to alter a day or two because of weather, but learn it.

it took some doing but I have my wife checking her own oil every 2 weeks, but she doesnt drive as much as me. I drive roughly 300 or so miles a week, I like to be on top of things so if I see a problem, I can correct before it becomes a bigger problem.

now to throw a small monkey wrench into things, old air cooled VW engines it wasnt uncommon for them to idle with oil light flickering & was perfectly normal, & if person used normal sensor the light would be brighter & take more revs to put light out, so the light waas operated at very low pressure. the only other is vintage Harleys, shovelheads, pans, & knucks would idle with light flickering.

other than thoose two types of vehicle exceptions, when your light is flickering, normally you are low on oil, or you have a weak oil pump, or, vehicle had been overheated, valve seals cracked & got into oil & has partially clogged oil pickup screen, & seen that on mostly american engines. pressure can be checked, and its possible to have a bad sending unit.

last year I helped a friend fix a van with low oil pressure, it was very low, he bought it & had not paid attention to his gauge when test driving, after checking with gauges we determined his bearings were worn out, so I replaced his main & rod bearings, brought oil pressure to alot better range.