I drive a 2005 Volvo s40 2.4i. 105k miles. Very good condition.
I was driving home, and noticed my oil light came on. My car was driving fine, and I was close to home, so I manually shifted the transmission and tried to keep the lowest rpm's possible.
Eventually, started hearing some knocking. Unfortunately, had to drive bout a mile till I could pull over.
My car shut off completely. I didn't feel any jerks or any shakes like the engine really locked up. When I try to start it, the engine seems to try to start, but is just too dry for the starter to get it to.
My actual questions:
- Would the car know to shut off electronically? Or was it a engine failure that made it shut off?
- Chances of locked up engine?
- Whats the worse case senecio's cost? Engine wise. Not worried about the oil leak at the moment.

 

There is no oil pressure cut off switch. If it locked up, its damaged and will need to be replaced. Cost depends on new vs. used and who installs it.

 

Until now.

That light means you have zero oil pressure and you should shut the car off NOW.

Why had to? Bear chasing you or something like that?

Engine failure.

100%

Worst case cost is a brand new engine installed by the dealer. Just guessing but I'd say five to six thousand bucks. Used engine installed by an independent maybe three thousand.