Check engine light turned on, no oil light but oil is low and dirty

IDONTUNDERSTANDCARS

MEMBER
2008 SUBARU OUTBACK
4WD
AUTOMATIC
146,000 MILES

Hello,

Today, I was driving on a highway and suddenly check engine light came on (solid) and cruise control light was flashing. Not worried about cruise control light because I know that automatically comes on with check engine light. When I got home, I checked the oil and it was low and dirty. Not nonexistent, but low for sure. There were no oil lights that lit up on the dashboard though.

I don’t know anything about cars so I apologize in advance. I did a lot of Googling asking if low oil level and dirty oil could cause the check engine light to come on, and half the websites said yes, Subaru -specific websites mostly said yes, but a lot of other sites basically said “No, absolutely not.” Or “rarely”. I’m getting an oil change tomorrow first thing in the morning regardless if the oil is the cause or not and the mechanic place is 7 miles away.

So first, I’m wondering if it’s safe to drive 7 miles to the mechanic with low and dirty oil and a check engine light light on.

Second, I’m wondering if the check engine light light ever comes on simply because of the oil needing to be changed, given the oil light didn’t come on, and that this is a Subaru.

I know that with a check engine light light on you need the diagnostic code reader thing to be able to tell what’s wrong exactly, but what I’m asking is would it be possible that the oil is the issue.

thanks to anyone who replies/reads, I appreciate it.

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,355 POSTS

Hi,

First, if the oil is low or dirty, it won't turn on the check engine light. If it is low enough, it will turn on the oil pressure/oil light. If when you checked the oil, there was still some on the dipstick (meaning it wasn't so low that the dipstick didn't reach it), you should be okay to drive to have it serviced.

Now, for the check engine light, you are correct. You need to have the computer scanned to diagnose where the issue is coming from. Here is a very quick video showing how that is done:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but often times, a parts store will do it free of charge, so have it done. Let me know what codes are found and I can help direct you.

One other question you had was safety. Without knowing what code is stored in the computer that caused the light to turn on makes that a difficult question to answer. Since the cruise light was flashing, I suspect it is going to be something with a wheel speed sensor/vehicle speed sensor (VSS). If that is the case, you should be fine. However, I can't confirm that is the problem. I hope you understand.

Let me know what code you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe