what should the oil pressure be when idling and when driving ?

 

No less than 5 PSI at idle and at least a 10 PSI increase for each 1000 RPM increase. So it would be a minimum of 15 PSI @ 1000 RPM, 55 PSI @ 5000 RPM, etc.. This is with engine fully warmed up and the recommended 5W30 oil. It should be higher on a cold engine or if heavier grade of oil is used.

 

yea i kinda freaked the other day ... i usually run 20w 50 in my 2.8. hit a low spot and knocked my plug out. temporarily fixed it and bought the first oil i can find 10w 30. my oil pressure dropped substanially from the change in oil grade. thought i had screwed my motor up. been running fine tho just alot lower oil pressure. Sick

 

sometimes when im sitting at a light the oil pressure pulses a little bit moving 5 psi is that normal when its warm ?

 

It is close to the low limit, you may be due for a rebuild if you have a lot of miles, or the pump may be worn. Also, try a different oil filter as different brands affect oil pressure differently. It may be time to switch to heavier viscosity oil, 5W30 starts to get a little light as you approach 100K.

 

well im using 10w40 now, i have 132,xxx on it.the most the pressure has been was 65 and that was driving on the freeway, and when i start it up it stays at 65 until i put it in reverse or drive.but sitting at red light it would move from 20-25.

 

That is not bad, there may be a sticking relief valve or the gauge is sick. Verify the oil pressure with a mechanical test gauge before gatting too worried. Also try using a different brand oil filter.

 

hey guys i dont get this number of oil pressure i stink i now, but my car has 143k miles on it and well the oil pressure when its hot sits at 1/4 or a lil bit above 1/4 of the oil meter is that good or bad, when i'm driving the oil pressure gauge goes up to about to 1/2 or a lil bit higher but when i'm braking or going to stop it goes to a lil bit above 1/4 is that good or bad?

 

hey guys i dont get this number of oil pressure i stink i now, but my car has 143k miles on it and well the oil pressure when its hot sits at 1/4 or a lil bit above 1/4 of the oil meter is that good or bad, when i'm driving the oil pressure gauge goes up to about to 1/2 or a lil bit higher but when i'm braking or going to stop it goes to a lil bit above 1/4 is that good or bad? there is a picture were my oil pressure sits at when its hot and at a stop.

 

Usually lighter weight oil flows easier and gives a higher pressure. I use Castrol Synthetic in my S10 (it keeps the sludge down and for some reason Mobil 1 gets really dark really fast?!?!?!?) With a standard filter (such as Fram) and regular oil, my idle pressure is 10 and my driving psi is 30. I put a K&N oil filter and Castrol Synthetic and now my idle is 30 and my driving is 45 psi. When it is cold I can get it up to 70 psi and idle at 40.

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