If the oil light on your dashboard illuminates, what should you do?

When the oil light illuminates on your dashboard, it serves as a crucial warning indicating that the oil pressure is low or there is an issue with the oil system. The appropriate response is to pull off the road safely, turn off the engine, and check the oil level. This step is vital because continuing to drive with low oil pressure can lead to severe engine damage, including overheating or complete engine failure.

By checking the oil level, you can quickly assess whether the engine is low on oil or if there might be another underlying issue that requires attention. If the oil level is low, adding oil may resolve the problem, but if it is at an acceptable level and the light remains on, it may indicate a more serious issue that needs professional diagnosis.

The other choices present different responses that may not effectively address the problem or could even exacerbate it. For example, shutting off the vehicle and phoning for help without checking the oil might hasten engine damage, while ignoring the light entirely could lead to very costly repairs.