Sight Gauge

What does full pressure on the oil gauge mean?

My car was really slow to start and when I began to drive my oil pressure gauge showed full pressure, it was all the way to the right. When I accelerate the pressure goes to full, but when I am at idle it drops into normal range. I checked my oil and the level is normal. What could the problem be?

Public Comments

1. If this has only happened since your last oil change, your oil filter could have a problem, so I would go get an oil change at the dealer where you know the right oil filter will be installed for your vehicle.
2. someone may have put the wrong oil filter on or its getting clogged.
3. The pressure relief valve in the oil pump may be stuck or sticking. The valve can stick if the oil isn't changed as often as it should be. This can sometime be fixed by doing an engine flush but it may require the replacement of the oil pump. The only other thing I can think of, if the oil level is not too high, is that too high of a viscosity oil was used, such as 20w-50 or 40 or 50w oil.
4. This is normal for your oil pressure to change somewhat at idle vs. when you accelerate. But to be sure you need to have you oil pressure tested using a gage that tells you what the actual pressure is. Most manufactures tell you to check the pressure when the engine is hot at 2000 RPMs. Jon