The engine running out of oil is one of the worst things to happen to a car. In this circumstance, we must be extremely clear about what to do to avoid having to say goodbye to our car—or at the absolute least, its engine—forever.
The thermal engine of a car produces energy by the combustion of the air and fuel combination that is present in the cylinders.
This energy is then converted into the motion of the wheels by using a series of connected gears.
However, lubrication of each component of the gears is necessary for this to be sustained over time.
The purpose of engine oil is to create a lubricant coating that stops the friction between the parts from becoming too hot.
But what happens if an accident results in an oil leak? In the lines that follow, we’ll discuss this.
How long can a motor operate without oil?
The friction between the engine’s internal components causes the temperature to start rising quickly when the engine lacks engine oil.
This results in a loss of sealing and terminal failure because the excessive heat melts some components and wears out essential parts like the cylinder head gasket.
If we lose the engine oil, we must stop as soon as it is safe. If we don’t, we will see the early demise of that engine and will either need to change it or immediately get a new vehicle.
This was a Mercedes that had never had the oil tested for endurance.
Because “we are next door,” there isn’t any other choice; we shouldn’t consider pulling to the next fuel station or heading home. Every additional second can be detrimental to our engine.
What an oil-starved engine sounds like
We will notice a sound that is less round and hoarser than usual, or perhaps a metallic clanking, emanating from the parts that do not have adequate lubrication when the oil in our car’s engine runs out or has insufficient oil.
This occurs due to direct contact between the metal they are made of and another metal component. The last breakdown comes before this previous sign.
Other obvious signs of faulty oil, a leak, or inadequate oil include a dashboard warning light, black, dirty oil, an interior oil odor, and white or even bluish smoke.
What should I do if my oil is running low?
As you are aware, the first step is to stop the vehicle and summon a tow truck to transport it to the location we provide.
The best action is to take it to a mechanic’s shop to see if the engine has been damaged and, more importantly, what is causing the failure.
We shouldn’t just add extra oil to the engine and leave it alone because that won’t address the issue that caused us to get into that scenario in the first place.
This may also occur if we neglect to change the oil and filter when it is time because both eventually degrade to the point where they are no longer helpful.
How to check the engine’s oil level
It is crucial to ensure that the oil level is at the proper standard because having too little and too much oil can be harmful.
Even though cars have a low oil level warning light on the dashboard, it is preferable to avoid waiting until it happens.
- The measures listed below should be carried out to check the oil level:
- For the oil to settle correctly to the bottom of the engine, it needs to be cold and at rest.
- The car must be positioned on a level surface for the measurement to be accurate.
- Open the engine hood while using the handbrake, then search for the oil dipstick, which typically has a white or yellow plastic handle shaped like a ring or hook.
- The area between the minimum and maximum level marks will thicken when the dipstick is pulled out and cleaned with kitchen paper, gloves, or a rag.
- To re-impregnate the dipstick with the oil that has previously settled, we place it at the bottom once more.
- The actual level of the oil will be seen once we remove it. It is accurate if it is situated between the two marks (as long as the engine is cold, remember).
If the oil level is low, we must top out the reservoir with oil that meets both the engine’s specified specifications and the same standards as the oil that is already there.
It is also advised to replace the oil and the related filters if the manufacturer-specified mileage or time has been reached or is approaching it.
It’s also crucial to consider the oil’s appearance, as this will reveal some information about its state:
- Oil with a golden hue indicates cleanliness and ideal conditions.
- Brown oil: replacement is coming since it is starting to lose its characteristics and fill with impurities.
- Black oil must be replaced as quickly as possible, especially if a burning smell is present.
Want to learn more about how to quickly and easily check the oil level in your car? Don’t miss this article, which goes into great detail about this subject.
