Yellow oil light

So I get the yellow oil light after turning my car off every 500 miles or so.....do my oil changes every 7500-8000 miles and use Mobil1 0w-40

your fine...most of us do and ignore the fact that our oil level sensor has gone bad. Not worth the $100 IMO since we still have a oil dipstick to check our fluid.

my yellow light goes on in both of my E-46's right after start up, for several seconds, and then goes out...cleaned them when I dropped the oil pans but refused to replace them out of shear stubborness.

My engine is really sensitive and I get the yellow light when I shut the car off after spirited driving if my level is down even a couple ounces. As long as I keep the oil right at the top of the range, I'm fine.

Ebay has several new models of these Oil Level Senders for less than $50.00 and many in the $75.00 range. I just bought a German made one with the rubber ring and gasket for $37.95. I do want my oil level light to give me accurate readings in between my checking it.

OP, you likely don't have a bad sensor. Assume you confirmed you were low on oil by checking dip stick. Check for leaks, especially the CCV and OFHG.

Is the oil level supposed to be on the first dip or second dip on the dipstick?

I wouldn't just assume the sensor is bad...if it is coming on every 500 mi and you add a quart of oil and it comes on again 500 later it probably means you are leaking/consuming oil. Check your oil level on a regular basis to see for sure (check with hot or cold oil, but make sure you do it the same every time. If hot, wait for 5 min after shut down).


I had this problem recently -- turned out to be the oil separator, but could also be oil filter housing gasket or valve cover gasket.

The oil should be between the two notches in the dipstick.

If you don't have the manual for the car, I would get it since the dipstick info and othe matters are covered.