Oil light

[dregsa]

Hi there!

I've saved for forever and finally bought my first mini after having my dear old clio for three years, I absolutely love it, but I have a problem!

I bought the car two weeks ago and after about a week, the red oil light came on. Now I am a 22 year old woman without a clue, so I did the normal and checked the oil (which was very low, tut!) and refilled it until it was at a better level on the dipstick. Driving is fine, but whenever I stop at traffic lights, the oil light comes back to haunt me, then goes off again when I pull off. Surely it doesn't need MORE oil?!

I'm taking it to the garage where I bought it on Friday and get a 'fifteen minute free check'... so I'd like some suggestions of what it could be that they can find in the fifteen minutes, as I bought cover with it so they would pay for repairs for the year!

I just want to stop worrying about this oil light and enjoy my new car!

Sorry for sounding like an absolute idiot, I'm clueless and this is very intimidating...

[marque]

Hi ya

And welcome to mini2

Never be afraid to ask no matter how silly it may seem :-) we are all here to help each other out.
If the car is running and sounds ok it could be as simple as a bad sensor.
See what they say and report back, some one will be able to help out or give advice :-)

[dregsa]

Thanks marque I will mention that when I go how long would a sensor take to repair if it was? The garage is in the middle of nowhere! Thankyou very much for answering my queries!

[mab01uk]

Also if your oil light comes on sometimes after an oil change check the correct replacement oil filter has been fitted:

The early MINI with production dates up to 07/2004 has a couple extra pieces inside the oil filter cannister cover - a spring and plastic cage. These items were eliminated on the later models after 07/2004. The oil filter specification with the initial production of the MINI required a 'paper filter' which necessitated a plastic cage in the cannister cover which prevent the filter from collapsing under pressure. For this reason, the early production MINIs have a spring loaded plastic 'cage' built into the oil filter cannister cover. This 'cage' provides a rigid structure within the filter to maintain its shape under pressure. The cage also helps to 'seal' the top of the filter for proper oil circulation thru the filter.
The early 'all paper' oil filters designed for use with the caged cover did not have any internal support structure (or 'built-in' cage). BE CAREFUL when purchasing aftermarket oil filters as there are still some of these 'uncaged' filters in the market.
MINI Cooper - MINI (02-04) Oil Filter Confusion / Problem / Hints