Since Jeep was mainly created for off-roading and dealing with rough terrains, it had to be sturdy. However, being sturdy means something other than compromising on the basics, and engine oil is that essential.
The engine plays a vital role in the efficiency of your Jeep, and a low level of engine oil impacts the overall vehicle’s performance. Due to this, your Jeep’s oil must be checked regularly and changed every 3,000 miles.
Moreover, engine oil maintains the friction low by lubricating the connected parts and keeps the engine from seizing.
This blog will be a complete rundown of the reasons for a hot oil warning and how to fix this issue.
So, without much ado, let’s get into it.
What is a Jeep hot oil warning?

The Jeep hot oil warning indicates that the engine is running low on oil levels which can lead to a temperature rise and even seizing the engine if left unattended. There can be multiple reasons for a Jeep hot oil warning, including old and cloggy transmission fluid, leaking engine oil filter, and others discussed in detail in the next section.
Reasons for the hot oil warning
Jeeps often deal in rough terrains, mountain climbing, and towing activities, contrary to regular civil commute vehicles. They deserve a regular maintenance check to keep them in perfect condition. Still, after routine maintenance, some underlying reasons lead to the flashing of the hot oil warning that, includes:
1: Low engine oil level
The primary purpose of engine oil is to keep the rubbing parts lubricated. When the engine oil level goes low, it results in increased friction.
Whenever the engine oil level turns low, a specific sign on your dashboard starts flashing with an inverted car along with dripping oil.
Immediately attend to this warning sign, pull over your Jeep on a roadside, and level up your engine oil. However, this warning sign can also be a beeping noise to indicate that something is wrong with your Jeep.
2: Old engine oil
Engine oil needs to get replaced after suggested miles from the manufacturer. However, this mileage shrinks to 3,000 kilometers for Jeep as it deals with rough terrains and requires more lubricating parts.
Moreover, with time the engine oil turns cloggy, which results in blocked engine oil filters. For this reason, you must change the engine oil as soon as possible.
3: Faulty wiring
Stripped or broken wires also cause the Jeep hot oil warning message to be flashed. After ruling out the above reasons, you can check for a broken wire in the fuse box. If you find any such faulty cables ask your professional mechanic to replace them.
4: Damaged sensors
Modern cars are all based on functional TIPM modules. This central sensor can ground your Jeep in the garage for days if anything goes wrong.
Jeeps are exposed to obstacles that damage their under- carriage parts and often electrical sensors, ultimately conveying wrong messages to the TIPM. It could also result in flashing a hot oil warning on the dashboard.
5: High transmission fluid temperature
Transmission fluids are suggested based on the regions the Jeep is driven. Regions with regular high climatic conditions are indicated with transmission fluids with low boiling points. Moreover, suitable coolants are also suggested for use along with the transmission fluids. Therefore, checking the OEM standards before buying a transmission fluid for your Jeep is advised.
How to fix the Jeep hot oil warning?
If you are driving your Jeep Wrangler and the hot oil warning keeps flashing, then pull over your Jeep at a roadside and let the engine oil cool a bit before opening the hood. Then do the following steps to fix the issues.
- Check the oil level; if it is below the indicated point, then this must be the reason for the Jeep hot oil message ticking. Level up the oil, which will help dissipate engine heat more efficiently.
- If the engine oil level is not a cause of the warning message, check for the battery terminals, voltage, and corrosion. A low-level battery can be a potential cause for the flashing of this warning message. Also, ensure all the connections are tight, and the fuse and relays function correctly. Moreover, check for the ground connection also.
- If both of the above issues are not prevalent, try disconnecting the battery and draining all the dead current, as a faulty sensor could also be a reason for this warning message.
- After ruling out all the above causes, check for leaks in the radiator and cooling systems if the Jeep hot oil warning message persists. Since radiator disturbances can also be a reason for raising engine oil temperature.
- If you cannot find any issue yourself, seek the help of a professional mechanic.
Final Thoughts
Jeep hot oil warning message indicates several underlying causes, including low-level engine oil, clogged filters, faulty radiator, loose battery connections, or inappropriate transmission fluid usage. But if this warning light pops up, pay attention to the warning message.
Jeep is the best choice for off-roading ventures as it can tackle rough terrains. Still, due to this fact, it requires regular maintenance, which includes engine oil checking and replacement on the suggested schedule.
Moreover, jeepers should be aware of unusual symptoms, like a burning smell, smoke from the hood, and engine stalling. If any of these signs appear, take immediate action, as it will vouch for the longevity of your Jeep.

Hey there, My name is Joe Martin & I’m the author of OffroadersGuild.com. I’ve been hitting the dirt for a while now. I’ve been off-roading in all sorts of vehicles, from Jeeps to trucks and everything in between.
I’ve also built and modified a few off-road vehicles of my own, so I know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to upgrading and modifying off-road vehicles. I started this website to share my experience and help others get the most out of their off-roading adventures. Let’s hit the trails!