Citroen C1 - Low oil pressure

[C1_Sam]

On Sunday, the low oil pressure light came on while i was on a dual carriageway doing 50mph, immediate thought was to divert to a garage that was about 2 miles away and was near to the supermarket i was going to anyway. After two mins the light goes off and i'm thinking ok thats weird but it must be a good thing right? I drive it home 10 miles all good no problem. Yesterday i dropped my wife at the station (3 miles eachway), pulling into my road is a tight turn and after that the light comes back on( not sure if any significance?).

Parked it up (my space is on a slight slant) checked the dipstick which is dry. Spoke to a mechanic as its due for MOT next week he said put some oil in which i will try today. I don't recall hearing any loud knocking noises but i'm already thinking what if the engines knackered. Why would the light come on and then go off and be fine for about 12 miles until coming on again??

For context, i've had the car since last August after 15 years of not having one so my maintenance knowledge isn't good. I do know to check tyre pressure but beyond that..
I did have it serviced in January so i thought i was good for the year but the manual says to check oil every 3000 miles , doh!

Can anyone confirm the correct engine oil to use?
At service in January the garage used 5W-30 C2.
I have bought some from Halfords who reccomended 0W-30 C2. I can provide VIN number if needed.

Thanks
Sam

[RichardW]

Welcome along. Please provide the VIN so we can see what engine is fitted. If it's the later Puretech then it has a 'wet' timing belt, and it's very important to use the correct oil grade. These engines are notorious for oil use (and a host of other issues...).

[C1_Sam]

Welcome along. Please provide the VIN so we can see what engine is fitted. If it's the later Puretech then it has a 'wet' timing belt, and it's very important to use the correct oil grade. These engines are notorious for oil use (and a host of other issues...).

Thank you Richard. Yes i am aware now of the problems with the puretech, i wish i had more knowledge when buying but it is a lesson learned.

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[RichardW]

Confirms this is the wet belt engine. Authorised oils:

EM:05W30 B71 2290 - 05W30 B71 2290 (C2) - EM:00W30 B71 2312 - 00W30 B71 2312 (C1C2) - 05W40 B71 2296 (A3B4) - EM:05W40 B71 2296

The weight (i.e. 0W30) is less important then the other items, it needs to comply with the spec B71 2290 or 2312 or 2296 to ensure the belt is not damaged. If there are no other issues, then you just need to keep an eye on it and top the oil up regularly. The belt can be seen (just) through the oil filler and there is a procedure for checking deterioration, it would be worth getting it checked.

[C1_Sam]

Confirms this is the wet belt engine. Authorised oils:

EM:05W30 B71 2290 - 05W30 B71 2290 (C2) - EM:00W30 B71 2312 - 00W30 B71 2312 (C1C2) - 05W40 B71 2296 (A3B4) - EM:05W40 B71 2296

The weight (i.e. 0W30) is less important then the other items, it needs to comply with the spec B71 2290 or 2312 or 2296 to ensure the belt is not damaged. If there are no other issues, then you just need to keep an eye on it and top the oil up regularly. The belt can be seen (just) through the oil filler and there is a procedure for checking deterioration, it would be worth getting it checked.

Thank you for confirming. It is due for MOT in two weeks so i called a mechanic and he said top it up with oil first and if there are still problems he will have a look before he does the MOT. Hopefully no damage has been done already.

[RichardW]

Fingers crossed!