I have a 2003 Audi A6 Quattro and I just had the oil changed about 2500 miles ago, but yesterday when i was driving the oil light came on and we checked the oil which was a little low and added the appropriate amount, i think my dad had to add a quart to it. I guess my question is, when the oil light comes on does this mean the oil is low or is this an oil pressure problem? I was just concerned because when we first bought it, it needed to have the oil changed and the oil was lower than it was yesterday, but the oil light never came on. Any suggestions?

 

Oil light ON usually means low oil pressure - top driving NOW!

You didn't describle what you were doing when the light came on. If you went 2500 miles without checking the oil level you need to revisit auto 101.

 

First off, I check the oil in my car every single weekend b/c i drive 200 miles every weekend going back and forth to college. So the oil has been checked every weekend. Second, all i was doing when the light came on was driving down the highway, prob 55MPH. That's all. We added 1 qt oil and the light is off and hasn't come back on. So, is this oil level or oil pressure? If it went off does that mean that could have fixed it.

 

I guess I been spoil by Toyotas and Lexus, the only time my oil is check is when the dealer change it. I must say, in the 15 years that I been driving Lexus and Toyotas, I have never add one quart of oil to any of them.

I guess I better start check my oil again, does these Audis have a tendency of burning oil or oil leaks?

 

Audi thinks it is normal to burn (perhaps loose?) a quart of oil, every 1000 miles. No joke.

 

Rochelle, is your car 2.7, 3.0, or 4.2? Anyways, Audi's are known for oil consumption, as well as sludge problem. Be sure to change oil frequently. Some people find me ****, but I change my oil every 3000 miles with synthetic. As for the light, it can mean both low level, and pressure problem.

 

I never check my oil between the 5k mile changes. Ok maybe once, but why bother, that's why Audi put an oil level sender in the car. Now if I knew my car burned/leaked oil I might check it more often. but honestly, every European car I have owned has had an oil level sender so I have been spoiled with not needing to check the oil level either.

There is a difference between low oil level and low oil pressure.

 

My car is a 3.0.

 

3.0 is better than 2.7 when it comes to sludge problem, but it still can happen. But for now I would just keep your eye on the level and make sure the oil is topped off. If you are loosing 1 quart every 2500 miles or so, and your car is running fine, then you probably have a leak somewhere.

 

Thanks. Yea i think the oil just needed to be topped off b/c i drove back to college today which is 100 miles away and the light never came on and everything seemed to be fine after adding the oil. Thanks again.