Contact the shop and ask them for advice. My husband's advice leans toward towing. He says since you stopped the car and it has no oil pressure now, you may have a problem getting the oil off the bottom. The oil pump is probably in trouble.

I checked oil and there seems to be plenty of oil. Shop opens 7 am. I'm calling straight away.

I'm really scared now that I've damaged the car beyond repair. What happens if you blow the engine like Annie said could happen? Is it purchase a new car time? Oh dear God, 2020 sucks.

Anne, when was your oil changed last. Also which type oil used, synthetic?

The spring. I still have like 3,000 miles to go according to sticker. I think synthetic oil.

If when the engine is cold the oil registers at an appropriate level on the dipstick, then the normal reason for the warning light to come on (insufficient oil amount) isn't the problem.

If there is something wrong and you've complied with the recommended service intervals, I'd expect a 3 year old car would be covered by its original factory warranty. Is that the case? Is your local shop a dealership? If not, I'd wait until Monday and take it to a dealership.

I have a Subaru that is a documented “oil burner”. There are several brands and models that are oil burners.

My dealer advised, when the light comes on, add oil. In my experience, it is not fatal, it has been happening for most of the vehicles life.

I often travel long distances from home, I keep a bottle of oil, funnel, and some towels in the car.

Ok,that’s good it was changed. Hoping for you it will only be an oil pump issue.

Don't panic......yet :-) There are all kinds of reasons why a low oil pressure light may come on and several that may not impact the engine at all. Just don't drive it anymore until you can get it into the shop. So yes, get it towed.

I realize that this is a first world problem but it's still a problem and I do appreciate all the support and advice from everyone. I'm wound tighter than a clock these days.

Sounds like a malfunction of the gauge. I was going to say just give it a quart of oil..but if the dip stick shows there's oil..its the warning light.

It can mean 1) there isn't enough oil (which we know isn't the problem). 2) The pump isn't circulating enough oil (which could be a problem, and it is, that's a major problem), or 3) there's an issue with the sensor (which isn't a problem).

Check with the shop. #1 is already known. #3 is not an issue. #2 would be an engine killer, potentially, but it's more likely the sensor caught it as the pump is falling just below the acceptable range. It's definitely not worth risking without some professional advice, however!

(Professional advice on this, actually, is to pull over, turn off the engine, and call for help immediately. This is not a minor thing).

It could be anything from a bad oil pressure sensor to an oil pump, but I would call the service dept and see if they think it's a problem to drive it. A low oil light doesn't usually mean you are OUT of oil, only that you could be getting low and should check it. If you have plenty of oil (did you check it hot or cold engine?). Check your owners manual to see what they recommend...most recommend cold, but I had one car that recommended checking with a warm engine.

You might find this helpful.

https://mechanicbase.com/engine-oil/check-the-engine-oil-hot-or-cold/

I would think it would be similar for your model:

http://www.hyundaisonatamanual.com/sonata-244-checking_the_engine_oil_level.html

My vehicle has 2 oil warning lamps: orange Genie Lamp for low, and red for problem.

Can you find your owners manual and determine if you had low oil or no oil. Some seem to think your oil pump went out?!?

My vehicle started burning oil after 10k miles. The faster I drive, the more oil per mile I use.

Many vehicles use synthetic oil because it helps with miles per gallon, the oil reduces friction, but maybe “consumed”.

I found this in the Hyundai Elantra manual:

Engine oil pressure light

Oh golly Sephia. I'm a little sick to my stomach now. I drove it 3.8 miles like that. Yikes.

at my house they are saying get it towed

Annegriet hopefully you have something like AAA that provides towing. If you do call them and allow them to arrange the tow rather than thinking you must do it yourself.

Annegriet, uh oh. Hope it ends up not being anything serious or expensive.

I do have AAA.

Tow the car to the shop. You might be lucky. One cause for the oil pressure light to come is failure of the pressure sensor! It could fail while everything else is okay.

There are several other causes and these are not good: (1) Bad oil pump; (2) Clogged pickup screen on oil pump; (3) Clogged drain in the head. (When the return path under the valve cover is clogged, oil collects in the valve cover starving the oil level in the pan, This is a simple repair if the engine has not been damaged.) (4) Clogged oil filter. On many vehicles, there is spring loaded bypass valve that will bypass a clogged filter. It may drop the oil pressure by 5 psi but does allow oil to continue to lubricate critical bearings. The bad part about this is that it will be unfiltered oil that is delivered and gunk could clog small passages such as found in valve lifters or other small passageways. (that's why the oil filter is there in the first place - to protect these passages and to keep tiny abrasive particles out of bearings.

If the engine is ruined, you do not necessarily have to buy another car. If the rest of the car is in good shape and you like it, have a rebuild shop swap the engine with a re-manufactured one. (There are 2 terms commonly used: rebuilt and re-manufactured. A re-manufactured engine is the more complete repair of the two.) Another option is a good engine that has maybe up to 40,000 miles on it. There are several ways these engine become available. Those can be from a wrecked car that was totaled by an insurance company, or someone swapped out an engine for a more powerful one. This is not cheap, but is less costly than buying another car since your car, if it has a bad engine, does not have much trade-in value.

This car is only 3 1/2 years old! I can't believe this could happen. Yikes.

You should assume you're not getting sufficient oil pressure to protect your engine and have it checked. Don't start it or drive it.

Just curious though. When you drove on to the store, shut it off, restarted it and drove home, did you at any time hear any sounds you don't normally hear? Clicking, tapping, noisier than usual, anything sound different?

Did the light just suddenly come on and stay constantly on? Or did it flicker? On at low RPM, off at higher RPM?

Like said above, you should assume it's unsafe to start or drive but if I had to guess, my guess would be the sensor. (or the wire that goes to the sensor, loose, corroded, etc.) If so, you're very lucky. They're not expensive.

I had to replace mine (Dodge Neon) because it started leaking. It was a cheap fix. (less than $20) The only hard part was finding it, and not being able to really see it once I found it. It was in a cramped place behind the engine. I had to do it more or less by feel.

So don't panic, don't assume the worse, just have it checked. It just might be a cheap easy fix. :-)

You said you checked the oil and there was plenty of oil. It's probably a computer malfunction and the light is coming on when it shouldn't. Check your oil in the morning and then call and describe everything you did and ask them if it's safe to drive it in.

I did not hear any unusual noises. It started fine in my driveway and I noticed the light when I was near the store. It started fine at the store and drove fine on the way home I will check the oil again tomorrow morning. There has not been any oil leaks in my driveway where I park. I last drove the car on Thursday to the vet and back--about 1/2 mile each way. On both Friday and Saturday, I started the car--no problems and moved it in my driveway to keep shoveling.

Is it under warranty Anne? Not that old of a car.

I guess it is. I've never had a repair this early on. Nothing went wrong on my last couple of cars until they were over 10 years old. The car has 22,000 miles on it. I wonder if the Hyundai warranty would even cover this.

I'd certainly never tell you to risk driving it or even starting it because it would definitely be risking major engine damage.

I suspect not hearing any unusual noises is a good sign though. Hopefully just the sensor or even just a corroded connector.

Just to get an idea of the cost of the part... "If" it's the sensor (sometimes called a sender)

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/find/2017-hyundai-elantra-oil-pressure-switch-and-sender.c6276

Of course the real expense would be towing and labor.

Dig out your owners manual. On page 6 there is a number to call for roadside assistance that is supposed to be valid from when the vehicle is first put in service for the first 60,000 miles. It or AAA can provide at least towing assistance.

Seriously? The mechanic is only 8/10 of a mile away? No knocks, odd sounds or other oddities? Just drive it to the mechanic.

It should be under Hyundai's warranty!

I still remember the time my Mom drove the old chevy home with the oil light on. The engine still ran, but the thing drank oil like a sot. It needed a ring job, but Dad never got it done because it was $$. He never let Mom live that down. And so it's seared into my memory about what to do when the oil light comes on. Don't drive it!

I think, in general, it is best to do what the specific manual recommends. Driving a vehicle if the manual specifically says to not do so may invalidate your warranty. Telling the shop that some of your buddies at the KT said it was OK to drive is probably not going to trump specific advice from their manual.

When I was a kid I remember a second cousin my Dad's age doing that. I don't remember what become of the car. I think my Dad put another motor in it for her.

Theoretically it would be covered under warranty, except that if they view the damage was caused by you not stopping when the light came on, they may void it.

Call them and explain what happened.....no noises, knocking, banging etc. They'd give you the best advice.

I got my engine replaced a couple of weeks ago. It made an awful racket and I pulled into a side street and called for a tow. The engine was completely covered under Hyundai's 10-yr warranty. My car is 9 years old and fell within the mileage as well.

I got my car back last week with a new engine, and it's now covered with a 10-yr warranty.

Reset the sensor for free. If happens again, it goes to the dealer. Big relief!

I hope that fixes it!

Very relieved about car! I was annoyed when I got there. There was a woman outside the door smoking---no mask. I had on mask and face shield. My glasses were foggy so I took off my mask in the car and drove home. I was in car about 5 to 10 minutes. A lot of traffic. Now I'm freaked out about the mask-less mechanic in my car who drove it. I didn't drive home with windows rolled down either. I'm so dumb. And so paranoid. Wound tighter than a clock.

Don't beat yourself up - you're not the only one on edge these days! I get really bad feelings over all kinds of snafus lately.

Glad it wasn't anything more serious. 1 of my mottos is 'better safe than sorry' 😊

So glad that's all it was!

Don't worry about what's in your car. As Dr Osterholm said, the thing we have to do is not breathe each other's air. That's what will keep us safe.

Thank you Annie. A close friend--her sister is on an ECMO from Covid--so bad even the ventilator wasn't helping. They are the loveliest of all the lovely families in this world. It has me on edge.

Thank you Carol. Living in a constant state of anxiety is exhausting and worrying about your every move is constant stress. I have a friend who says "don't borrow trouble." I need to listen to her!

Interest rate on borrowed trouble runs rather high, Anne.

Good idea to let your brain do the work.

You've had good advice above.

My suggestion is to discuss it with your regular mechanic if not connected with the dealership and if you don't have an independent, with the dealership.

Sounds as though it'll likely be covered under warranty, unless you can be claimed to have done something to invalidate it.

ole joyful

Wound tighter than a clock.

You have had a hard time. Perhaps an evening with an excellent movie and some good chocolate, or whatever it is that is special for you and makes you happy.

My sister and I thought about starting a business. Our motto would be "don't worry, let us do it for you". I worry if there is nothing to worry about. Something terrible must be coming! It is exhausting mentally and physically,

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's sister. That is upsetting. But we need to stay focused on what's before us now that we can deal with and maintain perspective. This too shall pass.

I've always been a worrier. My whole life. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue for me.

I'm glad to hear it was easily fixed, at least for now and hopefully for good. I agree with treating yourself to something you like. You deserve it and it seems like you could really use it!!