The Dangers of Driving with Low Oil Levels
The engine is an important part of your vehicle. Therefore, it’s important to put your engine high on your vehicle maintenance. One of the ways to protect your engine is to maintain the oil in your car.
What Happens When Your Oil Levels Are Low?
When you have low oil, it can have a negative impact on your vehicle in numerous ways.
The pistons of the engine move an internal crank to produce power to move the vehicle. These pistons need cool oil. When the oil is too hot, it causes the crank to deform. When this occurs, the crank won’t turn, and the engine seizes up.
How Do You Know If You Have Low Oil?
What Happens When Your Oil Levels Are Low?
When you have low oil, it can have a negative impact on your vehicle in numerous ways.
- Excessive Wear
The oil in your engine is intended to lubricate the parts of your engine that move. When oil levels are low, there is less lubrication. This causes seals to dry, valves to burn, and internal parts to overheat. The engine loses power as this happens while burning more fuel. In addition, your engine is subject to friction which causes the parts to wear quickly. As a result, you may replace parts sooner than you need to. - Increased Temperatures
The increased friction causes the temperature in your engine to rise. Your vehicle could overheat when this happens. If the temperature outside is also hot, your engine could blow up. This is an expensive repair. If the increased temperature occurs for a long time, it negatively impacts your engine. As oil levels drop, it causes the engine temperature to increase. After a while, your mechanical systems begin to fail.
Your engine has valves that allow air to come in and exhaust to leave the combustion area. For the valves to work well, they need the oil to remain cool. Since the valves are located at the top of the engine, they are the first to be impacted by low oil levels. They wear quickly. When this happens, the engine runs poorly and may stop unexpectedly. When the valves are bad, the power output decreases, and fuel economy worsens.
- Fuel Consumption
If you are driving with low oil, you most likely will see an increase in fuel use. When there is more friction in your engine, it needs more fuel. When your vehicle uses more fuel, you fill up more often and end up paying more.
- Corrosion
When you have low oil in your engine, you may begin to have excessive corrosion and rust. When your engine parts aren’t lubricated, rust can build up on the engine. Rust is bad for your engine. It causes your parts to need replacement sooner. - Damage and Warping
When the engine runs hot, it causes the parts to deform from the excessive heat. The engine heads are made from aluminum which doesn’t respond well to heat. The heads require clean oil that has the proper consistency to reduce friction and control the temperature.
The pistons of the engine move an internal crank to produce power to move the vehicle. These pistons need cool oil. When the oil is too hot, it causes the crank to deform. When this occurs, the crank won’t turn, and the engine seizes up.
How Do You Know If You Have Low Oil?
- Engine Light
If you notice the check engine light comes on your dashboard, it could be an indicator that your oil levels are low. When you see this light come on, you should take your vehicle to Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood for an assessment and oil check. - Smoke From Exhaust
When you see blue or gray smoke coming from the exhaust, then you are probably burning oil. When you have signs, you are burning oil, you need service to get an oil change as soon as possible. - Burning Smell
If there is a burning smell coming from the front of your car, there is a chance you are burning oil. Burning oil is not good for your vehicle. If this happens, you should bring your vehicle in for service right away.