In comparison, other engines are a simple splash design to circulate engine oil to desired lubrication points inside the engine. Some splash lubrication engines use a low level switch set to shut down the engine in the event of a low level condition verses a low pressure condition. Not all small engines use an oil pressure switch or low level shut down switch.

If your engine does not have either a low oil pressure switch or a low level oil switch you the operator must monitor the oil level to ensure proper lubrication. In either case, regardless of design, the operator should always visually check the level of oil within your engine to maintain the proper amount of oil for sufficient lubrication.

For engines on generators and other equipment with an oil pressure switch, if your generator engine runs low on engine oil and loses oil pressure the switch will shutdown the engine to prevent damage to the engine internal parts due to lack of proper lubrication. You should always keep check on the engine oil so not to run out of engine oil.

On equipment such as ride on lawn mowers, where the operator "rides" on the machine the use of shut down devices such as an oil pressure switch or other automatic shutdown device is prohibited by law for safety reasons. In the case of machines with riders, the oil pressure switch is used to close a warning circuit for either a light or sound producing alarm and in some cases both. The light or alarm is activated by the oil pressure switch alerting the operator of a critically low oil condition.