Oil Level Warning

The Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the CHECK OIL LEVEL message to alert the driver of a low oil level condition. The low oil sensing circuit consists of low oil level sensor. This system is active only at initial engine starting and not while the engine is running. The oil level is measured if the engine has been off long enough for top engine oil to return to the oil pan.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is responsible for retaining memory for the oil level function. If the ignition on input as been at 0 volts for at least 8 minutes, the PCM activates the low oil level sensor. If the sensor returns a signal indicating a low oil condition, the DIC displays the CHECK OIL LEVEL message 15 to 25 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to RUN. If the ignition switch is turned off for less than 20 seconds, the PCM remembers and sends the previous oil level status to the DIC and ignores the present oil status. If the ignition switch has been OFF for more then 20 seconds, but less than 8 minutes, the PCM ignores the low oil sensor.