Red alert

TALK WRENCH

I drive a Maruti Zen and it has not given me any serious trouble over the last six years. Recently I noticed that the oil pressure warning light came on occasionally while I am driving.

I checked the oil level and it showed full - but the mechanic I showed the car insisted on a top-up, which I did. But the light still comes on once in a while. The car is running fine though. What should I do?

From what you have explained the problem needs an expert diagnosing. You cannot ignore the oil warning idiot light since it is was put there in the first place to 'warn' you.

Yes, it could be a loose connection at the bulb point but there could be other serious trouble too. Low oil pressure light may come up if your car needs a new oil pump or worse still the crankshaft has worn and cannot actuate the oil pump efficiently. And six years is long enough for such a problem to occur.

Do take your trusty car to an authorised Maruti service station and get it checked - and hope that the only worry area is electrical or just the fuel pump (replacement will cost just Rs 2000). A worn crankshaft can be an expensive malady to cure.

Car trouble? param@business-standard.com