When you're oil pressure is low, one of the most common symptoms is a decrease in engine performance. As the pressure drops, the friction among different engine parts increases, which can make your motor work harder than it should. Some of the most common signs of reduced performance are the engine stalling, a loss of power, and fewer miles per gallon.

Another common symptom is the oil light going on, which may be caused by the following problems.

• The pressure of your oil is too low. The oil pump may not be circulating enough fluid or the oil level is too low. It may have been a while since you last changed the oil or the circulation lines may be leaking. If your car leaves puddles of oil when you park, then you definitely have a leak.

Another cause may be a worn-out gasket or seal. The fluid is then exposed to high temperatures and leaks into other areas of the engine. Dark smoke coming from your tailpipe or a strong burning smell can indicate that you have an internal oil leak.

• The oil viscosity is incorrect. If you’re using motor oil with viscosity that is lower than what is recommended in your owner’s manual, then it will not provide enough resistance when flowing. Using oil with higher viscosity can prevent it from flowing easily.

• The oil sensor is broken. The oil sensor monitors the passage of fluid and if it gathers too much dirt or grime, it may send the wrong messages to your car's computer. You may want to check the oil level and if it is sufficient, it's likely that the sensor may need replacing.

• You need to change the oil. To be effective, oil must be changed at the schedule described in your owner's manual. If you ignore this task, the drop in oil level turns the light on. Changing your oil is a job that you can do yourself. But if you have no time, you can take your car into our service department for a quick one.

• The oil circuit has worn out. As with every component in your car, the oil circuit deteriorates with age, which can expand the gaps between moving components and reduce oil pressure. Another component that can wear out and cause the light to go on is the pump.

When any of these symptoms occur, you should take the time to figure out what's going on.

1. Find a safe place to park that is away from all other vehicles and allows you to move freely in front of your car. You do not want to wait until your engine conks out while you're on the road because then you will be stopping the flow of traffic and become a target for an accident.

2. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool.

3. Pop open the hood and look at the oil levels. You'll need to find the dipstick, which is described in your owner’s manual. Pull the stick out, wipe off the end, and put it back into its container. Pull it out once more and check the oil level at the tip, which should be between minimum and maximum. If no oil is showing, you should not drive your vehicle and instead have it towed to a service center. If you do notice oil at slightly below the minimum, you can still drive your vehicle for a short distance.

4. Make an appointment with our service center where factory-trained technicians can diagnose the problem and recommend a solution.

If you insist on driving with a low oil level, you may only be able to rely on your vehicle only for a short time. Eventually, the pressure may drop so much that you no longer have any oil running through your system. The moving parts of your motor will start rubbing against each other creating too much friction and heat, which can damage your engine. Assuming your engine can still be fixed, it may cost you plenty of money.