CAT Engine E360 Fault Code: Low Engine Oil Pressure
Also called Engine Oil Pressure : Low - Most Severe (3)
Low Engine Oil Pressure · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
E360 is CAT's low engine oil pressure code, active across C11, C13, C15, C175, C18, C27, and C32 engines. It has Warning, Derate, and Shutdown levels. Oil pressure drops below the ECM's specified or map-based trip point for at least 8 seconds (Warning/Shutdown versions) or 4 seconds (Derate/Shutdown versions on some ECM strategies), and the ECM will shut the engine down 30 seconds after the derate begins if Engine Monitoring Mode is set to Shut down.
Critical severity. Low oil pressure can destroy an engine in minutes if ignored. The Warning level does not affect performance, but Derate and Shutdown levels mean the ECM has already detected a real, ongoing pressure problem and is actively protecting the engine. Treat any E360 as urgent, not just an annoyance code.
What does CAT Engine error code E360 mean?
E360 means the ECM has detected that engine oil pressure is running below where it should be for the current operating conditions. Oil pressure keeps a film between moving metal parts, cools bearings, and carries away debris. When pressure sags, that protective film thins out fast, and load-bearing surfaces start touching metal-to-metal.
There are three severity levels behind the same code. At Warning, oil pressure is below the specified pressure for at least 8 seconds, but engine performance is not affected, the ECM just logs a snapshot and the code. At Derate, oil pressure stays below the specified pressure (on some strategies, for at least 4 seconds) and the ECM cuts engine power to reduce load on the bearings and pump. At Shutdown, the same low-pressure condition is detected for at least 8 seconds (or 4 seconds depending on the ECM logic in use), and the engine will be shut down automatically, either by the ECM after 30 seconds if Engine Monitoring Mode is programmed to Shut down, or by the Vital Information System (VIMS) depending on operating conditions.
Some ECM strategies use a map-based trip point instead of a single fixed number, meaning the actual pressure threshold that triggers E360 shifts with engine speed and load. In all versions, the ECM also checks that it has been powered for at least 2 seconds and the engine has been running for at least 10 seconds, and that there are no active codes on the oil pressure sensor circuit or the 5 VDC sensor supply, before it will log this code.
What triggers a CAT Engine E360 code?
E360 sets when engine oil pressure falls below the specified or map-based trip point for a minimum delay time depending on severity level: at least 8 seconds for Warning and some Shutdown logic, or at least 4 seconds for Derate and other Shutdown logic. The ECM must have been powered for at least 2 seconds and the engine running for at least 10 seconds, with no diagnostic codes present on the oil pressure sensor or its 5 VDC supply circuit, for the code to log. If Engine Monitoring Mode is set to Shut down, the ECM shuts the engine off 30 seconds after the derate condition begins.
Common causes of E360
- Low engine oil level
- Aeration in the oil (air mixed into the oil, often from a low level, leaking suction tube, or foaming)
- Low oil viscosity, including oil that is thinned by fuel or coolant contamination
- Contaminated engine oil
- Plugged oil filter restricting flow to the engine
- Faulty oil pump not producing adequate pressure or volume
- Faulty engine oil pressure sensor giving a false low reading
- Sensor circuit problems, including the sensor's wiring or the 5 VDC supply circuit
- Faulty bypass valve stuck open or not seating correctly
- Damaged or cracked oil suction tube pulling in air instead of oil
- Oil cooler restriction or fault affecting oil flow
- Valve problems within the lubrication system
- Excessive wear of engine components (bearings, pump, or other parts) reducing pressure
- Other active diagnostic or event codes affecting the reading or the engine's operating state
How to troubleshoot CAT Engine E360: first checks
- Check the engine oil level on the dipstick with the machine on level ground, and top off if low; this is the single most common cause listed.
- Inspect for visible oil leaks, including around the suction tube, oil cooler lines, and filter housing.
- Check oil condition: look for foaming or aeration, milky discoloration (coolant contamination), or oil that looks unusually thin, and check when it was last changed.
- Inspect or replace the oil filter if it is overdue or suspected of being plugged.
- Check the wiring and connectors at the engine oil pressure sensor and its 5 VDC supply circuit for corrosion, looseness, or damage, and confirm no sensor or supply-circuit codes are active.
- Check for other active diagnostic or event codes that may be tied to the same low-pressure event, since some ECM strategies list these as a probable cause.
- If the basic checks come back clean, have a technician check actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge to confirm the ECM reading, and inspect the oil pump, bypass valve, and suction tube for wear or damage.
How the code clears
No separate clearing step is listed. The code logs automatically when the low-pressure condition is detected, and normal practice is to fix the underlying cause (oil level, filter, sensor, pump, etc.) and confirm oil pressure reads normal during operation. Since factory passwords are required to work with the ECM's monitoring parameters on Derate and Shutdown levels, any adjustment to Engine Monitoring Mode settings should be left to a qualified technician with the right diagnostic tool access.
Affected models and serial ranges
E360 appears in our records across 7 CAT Engine models. Match your machine by model and serial number.
| Model | Serial ranges |
|---|---|
| C11 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C13 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C15 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C175 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C18 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C27 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C32 | Serial range not listed in source records |
Frequently asked questions
What does CAT fault code E360 mean?
It means the engine's ECM has detected that oil pressure is below where it should be for the current running conditions. Depending on severity, this triggers a Warning, an automatic power derate, or an engine shutdown.
Is it safe to keep running the engine with E360 active?
At the Warning level, engine performance is not affected, but the underlying oil pressure issue should still be checked as soon as possible. At Derate or Shutdown levels, the ECM has already reduced power or is preparing to shut the engine down, so it should not be run under load until the cause is found and fixed.
Will the engine shut off by itself with this code?
Yes, on Derate and Shutdown versions, if the Engine Monitoring Mode parameter is programmed to Shut down, the ECM will shut the engine down 30 seconds after the low oil pressure condition begins. On some machines, the VIMS may also shut the engine down depending on operating conditions.
What is the most common cause of E360?
Low engine oil level is listed first among the probable causes across nearly every version of this code, so checking the dipstick is the first thing to do.
Can a bad oil pressure sensor cause a false E360?
Yes, a faulty oil pressure sensor or a problem in its wiring or 5 VDC supply circuit can cause the ECM to read low pressure that is not real. However, the ECM will not log E360 if there is already an active code on the sensor or its supply circuit, so a false E360 from a bad sensor is possible but the ECM tries to rule that out first.
Which CAT engines use fault code E360?
E360 for low engine oil pressure applies to the C11, C13, C15, C175, C18, C27, and C32 engine families.
Do I need special tools to clear or reset E360?
There is no separate reset procedure listed. The code clears itself once the ECM sees normal oil pressure again after the cause is fixed. Adjusting the Engine Monitoring Mode parameter itself requires factory passwords, so that part of the system should only be handled by a technician with proper ECM access.