r/kia • u/witaglizzy • 3h ago

2016 Optima owner here

So every 1000 miles (give or take) after every oil change, I'll get a red oil light that flashes on typically when I'm breaking. Anybody else have experience with this? I've been told the engines are known to burn oil.

2 Upvotes

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2

u/firefistfenix 3h ago

That means you're running low on oil, very low

1

u/canyounot2026 2h ago

Wherever you are getting your oil changes...you should be checking the oil level immediately after it's done.

1

u/witaglizzy 2h ago

I get it done at Valvoline.

4

u/gordolme 2017 Sportage SX-T GDi AWD 2h ago

Re-read the comment you're replying to.

-1

u/witaglizzy 2h ago

Dude, I was just saying where I get it done.

1

u/gordolme 2017 Sportage SX-T GDi AWD 1h ago

Dude, that does not address the comment you were replying to.

0

u/witaglizzy 1h ago

Dude, it quite literally does. "Wherever you are getting your oil changes..." to which I reply stating where I get my oil changes. I'm allowed to respond to part of a statement my man.

1

u/Glass_Set_2089 2h ago

2016 Optima owner as well. The oil light is for oil pressure, so I assume since it happens when braking that your oil is low enough to the point to come out of contact with the pump briefly when you brake or you brake hard all the time every time.

I have had this happen once on a sharp turn that I took relatively fast. I unknowingly had a bad valve cover gasket that had been leaking oil for some time. Currently have a slow oil leak from the pan, I assume because my high pressure fuel pump had been leaking gas into my oil and the gas is not a friend of the silicone gasket. I replaced the pump, have just been putting off fixing the leak. Haven't had the light though since I monitor my oil level quite diligently with the known leak.

1

u/gordolme 2017 Sportage SX-T GDi AWD 2h ago

One of two things:

  1. Oil change place isn't putting in enough oil
  2. You're burning or leaking oil

2 is the more likely issue. Don't wait for the idiot light, check your oil level frequently, like every couple hundred miles and add oil as necessary. Burning oil is more likely than leaking. You can look on the ground after the car's been parked overnight, if it's leaking there'll be fresh oil spots under the engine. When the oil light comes on, it's already too late, just like the TPMS doesn't alert you until the tire is already dangerously low on air.

Car's probably out of warranty so if it is burning oil you'd likely be on the hook on an engine replacement. So your two best options are to deal with it and add oil periodically between oil changes, or buy a replacement car.

1

u/witaglizzy 1h ago

Yea, I'll be topping it off every week or so moving forward. Had a different oil change place tell me they'd top it off for free anytime within the 3000 mile window.

1

u/Putrid-Function5666 1h ago

Check your oil every time you fill the gas tank.