Q: Oil pressure gauge goes up when accelerating

asked by on June 16, 2017

I just bought the vehicle 2 days ago this yesterday I started it up, and it was a little above normal. I didn't pay attention to it cause I have a 1985 Ford F150, its oil pressure always move and I guess I'm just used to it. this morning I was passing a car looked down and the gauge would go up when passing. could you give me some insight on this please. thank you

My car has 185000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement $104.83 - $442.63 Get a Quote

Hi There, This is completely normal for the oil pressure to increase when accelerating. The oil pressure inside the motor increases as the motor works harder. Your oil pressure switch reads this change in pressure and relays this to the oil pressure gauge. If the fluctuation is extremely erratic, you may have a faulty oil pressure sensor which may also be the cause if it fluctuates too much. I would suggest having one of our experts here at YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

New car that is always lighting up ‘check engine’
Hello, thanks for writing in about this issue. No, your car is not a lemon! The Check Engine Light (CEL) is trigged by the engine control unit when it detects a fault with any engine sensor or a calculated engine...
Cradle
Surface rust on any automotive component, especially under the car is normal and nothing to worry about. "Rotted" is generally used to describe severe rust or areas that have rusted through. If this is the case with your cradle, then...
Dash lights on, now the car won't start at all
Since so many systems are transmitting problems, check the battery connections (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/service-battery-cables). A simple check, but sometimes a faulty connection can cause all kinds of problems. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, scan the vehicle and pull all...
Transfer case shift motor
Hello. C0327 is the trouble code for a malfunction with the transfer case encoder motor as you alluded. This is the electric motor that allows the transfer case to engage into 4wd mode. This code is commonly caused by water...
Is it necessary to do an oil change at 1000 miles?
Generally, when the car's engine is brand new it is a good idea to change the oil after the first 1,500 miles or so due to the propensity for metal shavings and parts that are in the process of breaking...
How often do i need to do alignment?
How often you should have your vehicle aligned will vary in situation and opinion. Generally, it is a good idea to have the service done once a year or more often if you frequently drive on rough roads. Any time...
How much to replace a camshaft in 2014 chevy cruze
Hi there. Replacing a camshaft is a major repair that our mobile mechanics don't offer through YourMechanic.com. Since the water pump is also damaged, it's possible the engine overheated; which may have caused additional engine damage. The excessive rust under...
When put into gear car revs up then lurches forward then stops it keeps doing it
The problem is going to be in the forward running clutch pact is not engaging until pressure is high. You will need to have transmission rebuilt to repair the transmission. You can rebuild the one you have or replace with...
Car shakes at idle, worse when compressor/accessories are on
This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear, making turns (which makes use of the power steering pressure switch) turning on...

Related articles

2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Toyota Highlander: Which One Should I Buy?
Large SUVs are a huge and broad market, with a range of different offerings from economy to luxurious. The majority of the SUVs and crossover SUVs offer decent gas mileage, plenty of room for friends and family to ride along...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Mobile Housekeeper
If If you are a mobile housekeeper, chances are that you are looking for a small, reliable used vehicle that offers good gas mileage and enough space to store your supplies. With that in mind, we present to you the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Camping
Do Do you love camping, getting back to nature and enjoying life in the great outdoors? If you do, then you know that getting there can be half the fun, and it’s even better if you have a great ride....