Just wondering if this is normal or not. But during acceleration the oil pressure gauge on the cluster will stay at 40. but during idling, it'll drop down to 20. During hard acceleration it'll rise up to 60.

I don't remember it doing that before. Or not as much. I did do an oil change last week. I didn't do anything different, though.

 

yep its normal. how long ago was the oil changed, as the oil degrades it will cause the oil pressure to drop when at operating temp a little more than normal.

 

Yeah that's "normal". What didn't you notice as much before, pressure going up to 60, or down to 20?

 

oil changed last week. Lucas 10w30 with k&n filter like always. nothing changed. 4 1/2 quarts.

I remember it rising like that but not ever dropping that low. that doesn't mean low oil right?

 

No, those readings on the gauge have nothing to do with the oil level....well, unless you run it low enough to starve the oil pump of oil, then it does. lol
20 psi at idle isn't considered "low". Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't change for the worse. Outside temperature, and engine temperature play a role in oil pressure as well (the hotter the lower), so it could be a seasonal change you're seeing.

 

The rule of thumb is 10 psi for every 1000 rpms. Many of the newer vehicals will show lower pressure at idle then when running but will build as the rpm increase.