Oil Warning light W124

[phoenix_nights]

Hi,

Was driving home this holiday weekend when my oil light came on. When i dropped the revs (from 4,000 to 3,000) it went out. Pulled in to the nearest garage and had to put a full litre in. Gonna get the car serviced this weekend.

My question is: I would have thought the oil pressure measure on the dashboard would have dropped from 3 but it didnt. I figure that that indicator is for a different issue.

With the lack of a 5th gear and with motorway speeds i am thinking that the car suddenly started burning oil. Is that common.

Should i be worried or just expect a car with 145,000 miles ('94) to burn a little oil.

cheers........

 

[MangoMan]

The light on the dash is an indication for the Oil Level, your level can be low, but there is still enough in the sump to keep the pressure up.

The light usually comes on when the level reaches the lower mark on the dipstick.

It can also be affected if going up or down steep gradients if the level is low.

Ciao, Bill.

 

[andy_k]

Just to add to Bill's comments...

According to MB, as long as your oil consumption is less than 1 litre every 1500 miles then you are "within tolerance" so there is nothing to worry about. some W124 engines seem to have a taste for oil and others hardly burn a drop.

I usually find that I need to add 1 litre in between services.

Andy

 

[phoenix_nights]

I put semi-syn oil into it but getting it serviced tomorrow. I am sure the garage will know but just in case what oil is recommended for a 94 w124 145,000 miles....