Hyundai ix35 Oil Pressure Warning

I had a similar scare with my old Volvo, though mine was a diesel. Those lights blinking can be really unsettling. Dark oil is a classic symptom of exceeding the maintenance interval. Has the car been running hotter than usual? Any unusual noises from the engine itself? What does the oil look and smell like? Any metallic flakes or a burnt smell could point to something more sinister than just old oil.

The engine temperature has remained normal, and I haven't noticed any unusual noises. However, upon closer inspection, the oil does seem thicker than usual, perhaps even a bit sludgy. I can't detect any metallic flakes, thankfully, but there is a faint burnt odor. Could this be related to excessive idling or short trips, or is it more likely indicative of a blocked oil passage?

A burnt smell and sludge, even without flakes, isn't great. I ended up having significant oil sludge issues in my Volvo, which led to serious problems down the road. It could be a blocked oil passage, or it could just be the oil breaking down badly due to the extended interval. Honestly, with those symptoms, I'd strongly recommend getting it checked by a workshop as soon as possible. Don't risk further damage by driving it too much.

I took your suggestion and brought the vehicle to a trusted workshop. The diagnosis confirmed that the maintenance interval had been exceeded by a considerable margin, resulting in oil sludge buildup. An oil change, along with the appropriate oil additives, was performed, costing 165€.