Vehicles have a system that lets drivers know when the oil pressure is low or high. They may have an oil gauge, a digital reading, or a dashboard light to indicate the oil pressure level. If your car has an ideal oil pressure while driving, the engine will run smoothly and increase longevity.
But why does my oil pressure go up when I accelerate? Oil pressure going up while accelerating is normal, and there are reasons behind it. However, there might be some problems if the pressure increase is beyond the expected range or becomes erratic.
Herein, I look into the potential causes of oil pressure rising while accelerating, what to do about them, and more.
Question: How Does Acceleration Affect Oil Pressure?
The oil pressure tends to increase during acceleration to meet the demands of the engine’s moving parts. When you accelerate, the moving parts rotate faster to attain the desired speed. They require more oil for lubrication and absorb the heat they generate.
The oil pump works harder to pump more oil to the moving parts. As a result, the oil pressure goes up to maintain engine performance. So, the oil pressure going up while accelerating is a natural occurrence in all cars.
Maintaining an ideal oil pressure ensures the engine performs better and prevents damage to moving parts. It’s worth noting that higher oil pressure has other benefits besides lubricating parts and absorbing excessive heat. The oil will also clean any sludge or contaminants that may accumulate in the passageways.
Question: What Is the Ideal Oil Pressure While Driving?
Vehicles have varying oil pressure ranges depending on the brand and model. But generally, the normal oil pressure is usually between 25 and 65 PSI (pounds per square inch). You can refer to your vehicle’s manual for its normal oil PSI.
If your car has an oil gauge, you’ll know when the oil pressure is below or above the normal range. The oil pressure may be excessively high if it goes up to 80 PSI or more.
When the oil pressure exceeds the recommended range, it may wreck various engine parts. It’s advisable to diagnose and fix the underlying problem or head to a mechanic for help.
Answer: Symptoms of High Oil Pressure
The oil pressure may be excessively high while accelerating if you notice the following symptoms:
- Higher oil pressure gauge reading: The oil pressure gauge reading may be above the recommended range. For example, it may indicate an oil pressure creeping up to 80+ PSI. If your car doesn’t have an oil gauge, you may see the check engine light turning on to indicate excessively high oil pressure.
- Oil leak: Oil leaking from the engine bay may indicate high oil pressure.
- Engine overheating: The engine can overheat due to increased oil pressure while accelerating. An overheated engine may trigger a myriad of problems, including engine failure.
- Grinding and knocking sounds: High oil pressure can cause lubrication problems in the engine parts. The unlubricated parts may produce grinding or knocking sounds.
- Increased oil consumption: Excessively high pressure will force too much oil through the passageways. The vehicle will, therefore, consume more engine oil than usual.
Question: Why Does My Oil Pressure Go Up When I Accelerate?
The oil pressure may be higher than the recommended gauge for several reasons. Below are the common reasons and how to deal with them.
Clogged Oil Filter
The oil filter blocks dirt, grime, and debris from flowing through the system. Its primary role is to supply clean engine oil along the passageways. However, like other filters in your car, particles will accumulate on the oil filter and restrict the oil flow.
Restricted oil increases pressure as the oil pump works extra hard to meet the engine’s demand. This issue may occur when accelerating.
You can address this problem at home by replacing the clogged oil filter. Then, check the manufacturer’s recommendations to know how often you should replace the filter to maintain ideal pressure levels.
Clogged Oil Passageways
A worn or damaged oil filter may allow dirt, sludge, and debris to pass through and clog up the passageways. This may happen if you fail to change the filter or if the filter experiences premature wear.
When the passageways get clogged, they restrict the flow of oil. As a result, the pump requires more pressure to deliver oil to the engine’s moving parts, leading to increased pressure.
An after-market engine flush can help eliminate accumulated gunk in the oil passageways. However, if there’s excessive accumulation of the gunk, look for a professional mechanic to clean or replace the affected parts.
Damaged Pressure Relief Valve
When you accelerate, the engine’s parts rotate faster and cause oil pressure to go up. Excessive pressure can upset the system and damage various engine components. Luckily, this is where the pressure relief valve comes in. It opens and closes to regulate and maintain the oil pressure to keep it at its ideal level.
If your vehicle has a damaged or stuck pressure relief valve, it may fail to open and release excess pressure. The oil pressure will increase as you accelerate and cause lubrication problems or damage to various parts.
Your mechanic can locate the pressure relief valve and repair or replace it.
Wrong Oil Type
Have you changed the oil and wondered, “Why does my oil pressure go up when I accelerate?” Your car’s manual provides the recommended engine oil viscosity. If you add the incorrect oil type (incorrect viscosity), the oil pressure may increase when accelerating.
This issue may occur when you add thick oil to lubricate or protect your engine. Thick oil doesn’t flow easily, and the pump struggles to circulate it through the system. You’ll, therefore, see an increase in oil pressure when you accelerate.
If you’ve added an incorrect oil type, drain it and clean the passageways. Then, add the correct oil type with the recommended viscosity.
Damaged Oil Pump
The oil pump should remain in good condition to circulate oil through the passageways and engine parts. If you have an improperly maintained oil pump, it won’t distribute oil or regulate pressure as required.
A failing oil pump may cause fluctuations in oil pressure levels. The oil pressure level may go down or up, leading to inadequate lubrication or engine failure. Hiring a professional mechanic to repair or replace the damaged oil pump can help resolve this issue.
Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor or Gauge
The engine has a sensor that measures the oil pressure and communicates with the ECM. The oil pressure sensor may provide an inaccurate reading if it is defective. The defective sensor may send signals indicating a high oil pressure despite being within the normal PSI range.
Besides, a damaged oil gauge may cause the reading to fluctuate and indicate a high oil pressure. If you’re an experienced DIYer, you can locate and replace the faulty oil pressure sensor. You may also need to replace the gauge if it’s the cause.
Note: After replacing the oil pressure sensor, you must reset the ECM. This allows the sensor to communicate with the ECM and clear error codes or warning lights.
Wrapping Up
Why does my oil pressure go up when I accelerate? Oil pressure going up is a normal occurrence, particularly when accelerating. However, your vehicle might have some issues if the pressure exceeds the recommended range.
The most common causes of oil pressure going up while accelerating are a filthy oil filter, damaged oil pump, clogged oil passageways, wrong oil type, or defective pressure sensor relief valve.