Reduce the risk of low oil pressure
To reduce the risk of low oil pressure in your engine, change your oil and filter at the correct intervals. Also, use a high-quality lubricant that contains the correct viscosity grade and quality standards specified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in your engine/vehicle manual.
Check your oil level regularly and check your engine (and garage floor) for leaks. Also, keep an eye out for blue smoke coming from the exhaust, especially on high-mileage engines.
If your pressure sensor is on and you don’t know what’s wrong, don’t drive your car. For fleets, using oil analysis to determine oil and equipment health is the best predictive/proactive strategy.
Why Oil Pressure is Important
An engine’s lubrication system basically consists of the pump, oil filter, lubrication lines, and hardware. Pressure in the system is created by the resistance that the oil in the lines must overcome to reach the lubricated components.
Pumps are used to push the lubricant through the system. During the engine design phase, the pump is designed to generate the pressure and flow required to circulate the lubricant to the furthest components. Low oil pressure is an indication that something is not working properly. It also means that there is probably not enough lubricant flowing through the system. Keep in mind that a lack of lubrication can lead to metal-to-metal contact and mechanical failure.
Depending on the severity of the situation, your engine could fail within hours or minutes. Repairs can also be costly, as large parts of the engine will need to be replaced.
Effect of Viscosity
Viscosity affects hydraulic pressure. When oil is poured on an inclined surface, gravity causes the oil to flow downwards. The higher the viscosity, the slower the lubricant flows. Viscosity can be defined as the resistance to flow.
The viscosity of a lubricant changes with temperature. It decreases as the temperature increases and increases as the temperature decreases. Therefore, the viscosity of engine oil depends not only on the normal operating temperature but also on the ambient temperature of the engine at start-up.
There are two common methods to measure viscosity. The first method involves flowing the oil through a capillary tube and measuring the time it takes to flow from one point to another. Viscosity can also be measured by placing the lubricant in a calibrated beaker and stirring it. The higher the viscosity, the more difficult it is to stir. This resistance is calculated using a laboratory torque meter. Tests are performed at precise temperatures to ensure consistent results.
Most vehicle owners are familiar with the viscosity grades SAE 30, SAE 40, etc. developed by SAE International. These standards are based on the measurement system described above and simplify the selection of the right lubricant for your engine. SAE grades such as SAE 40 do not have a single viscosity value. Instead, it indicates a viscosity range with minimum and maximum limits.
Lubricant manufacturers are free to formulate lubricants within the allowable viscosity range for a particular grade. SAE grades that contain a “W” refer to the viscosity and pumpability of the lubricant at low initial temperatures. Lubricants without a “W” designation may be too thick for winter temperatures.