2003 Chevy Silverado. On my way to work today my oil pressure gauge was very eractic.?

a good oil change might work. it sounds more like the oil sending unit by the oil filter.

You've realized the importance of oil pressure as your owner's manual instructs you to. I would call the GM dealer and ask the service department if there's a separate red oil warning light in addition to the gauge. If so, the dealer may say it's ok to drive it to a repair shop if the red oil warning light doesn't come on. Hopefully it's a gauge or electrical problem to the dash cluster and not a true loss of oil pressure. However, if I were you, I'd have the GM dealer change the engine oil because you will get an AC Delco oil filter to be sure it's not a valve bypass problem in the oil filter. Avoid the national "quick lube" and tire chain store maintenance. Instead, find a good local repair shop at http://www.automd.com/ and use the GM dealer for certain things like the problem your having now.

Yeah it could be the oil sending unit the good thing is your oil light not coming on which is a good sign and you never mentioned no clicking noise from your lifters not getting enough oil. I would check your oil level because oilsending units are known to leak sometimes when they have went bad. You also could have a faulty gauge or bad connection to gauge. Other then that I say you could drive it but proceed with caution.

Most likely it is a bad oil pressure sender, or a bad receiver in the in dash gauge. Start with the oil pan sensor, it is easy to get to, but first, check the oil, make sure you are not a couple quarts low.

AHA!!! You are now paying the price for getting basemsnt bargain specials oil changes. THe bulk oils found at quicky lubes in general are TRASH oil thaat makes excessive sludge. THe insedes of your pressure sending unit are FULL of it. Most quick lubes carry some kind of de-sludging chemical. Use it, and swear off regular dino based wax reduced oils that turn to sludge and corrupt engine guts. Usign Mobil One oW30 oil and changing it once a year is PLENTY. Amsoil can be changed every 25,000 miles. It costs more, but saves your engine and costs on down the road. GOOD LUCK!!

Check the dip stick to see where the oil level is, adding a quart of 30 wt, oil. or 2, but not to over fill. Sounds like the main bearings on the crankshaft are worn and is high mileage. Do you have a antifreeze leak? Check the color of the oil. if it is milky and you can smell a sweet smell then you have a bad intake manifold gasket and the main bearings go striped of lubrication causing wear and loss of oil pressure. Time for engine replacement. Have a garage mechanic check it,