A low oil
level robs these components of that film layer, making metal-on-metal contact
more likely. The end result is parts that grind on each other, potentially
shaving and grinding chunks of metal from components that come into contact.
These shavings can end up throughout the engine, including the oil pan and
filter.
This
excessive wear and tear can destroy engine tolerances, making it harder for the
engine to perform to spec. That comes with a resultant loss in overall engine
performance, fuel economy and emissions performance. Whatever remaining oil is
left in the engine is also contaminated with metal shavings and various other
bits.
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Damage from
Overheating
Heat can be
a killer for engines, especially for those with low oil levels. When your
engine runs low on oil, it also loses the ability to transfer excess engine
heat via the engine oil. Without an ample amount of oil to carry away excess
engine heat, the engine itself becomes more vulnerable to heat-related damage.
Overheating
can cause multiple engine components to warp out of spec, which could cause
various performance and efficiency issues. For example, excess heat can cause
an engine's cylinder head to warp out of shape, meaning it no longer fits flush
against the engine block. Without a flat, flush mating surface, the engine's
cylinder head can leak oil and coolant into places neither belong. Not only
does fluid cross-contamination become a problem, but the engine may also lose
cylinder compression and suffer further overheating via coolant loss.
In short,
low oil levels can potentially lead to overheating, which in turn causes
further damage to internal engine components.
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Eventual
Engine Failure
Run your
engine with a low oil level long enough and you'll eventually run into
catastrophic engine failure. As the cumulative wear and overheating effects
pile up, you'll see overall engine performance suffer more and more.
You may hear
your engine begin to "knock" as the cylinders and other internal components
start experiencing more wear and tear. Your engine may not be able to "pull" or
accelerate as hard as it used to. You'll start using more fuel than usual and
even start seeing more smoke from your tail pipe.
Eventually,
your engine may simply stop working altogether. That's what happens when you
ignore what your vehicle tells you and continue driving with a low oil level.
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How to Check
Your Car's Oil Level
Fortunately,
checking your engine oil level is the easiest thing you can do to keep your
vehicle in excellent shape. Here's a quick primer on how to check your car's
oil level:
- Make sure your
vehicle is parked on a flat, level surface.
- Open the hood
and locate the engine oil dipstick.
- Pull the
dipstick from its tube and wipe the oil off the end of the dipstick with a
clean cloth.
- Push the
dipstick back into the tube, wait a few seconds, and then pull it back
out.
- Read the oil
level on the dipstick. If the oil line is within the hash-marked area on
the dipstick or between the low and high markings, then you won't need any
more oil. If the line falls below the low mark, then add at least one
quart of oil.
A growing
number of cars are doing away with the dipstick. These cars instead require you
to check your oil level on the vehicle's dashboard or infotainment screen. If
you're not sure about the amount of oil currently in your vehicle, then don't
hesitate to bring it to our service center.