Can I Drive Without Repairing Engine Oil Burning?

[LaMarcus]

If the engine of a motor vehicle is experiencing oil burning, it should be repaired immediately. Below are relevant introductions about oil burning: 1. Consequences of oil burning: It can lead to increased carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, reduced fuel economy and power performance of the vehicle, excessive exhaust emissions, and other adverse effects. 2. Main causes: Poor cylinder sealing is the primary cause of oil burning. Poor cylinder sealing mainly results from excessive clearance between the piston and cylinder wall, improper installation of piston rings, or deteriorated sealing, allowing oil on the cylinder wall to enter the combustion chamber, causing oil burning.

[RileyRose]

Let me tell you as an experienced driver, burning oil is not something you can ignore! Last week, my neighbor's old Passat kept burning oil without timely repairs, and it ended up with a seized engine on the road, requiring a tow truck. Don't think just topping up the oil will keep it running—carbon buildup in the combustion chamber will only get worse, and a damaged catalytic converter will cost you at least 8,000 to replace. The scariest part is if the piston rings get stuck—an engine overhaul will set you back over 10,000. If you suddenly run low on oil and the engine seizes while driving, even the steering wheel could lock up. My advice: always keep a spare bottle of oil in the trunk, check the dipstick every 500 kilometers, and top up immediately if it's below the minimum mark. If it's burning more than a liter every 1,000 kilometers, get it checked at a shop ASAP!

[Teagan]

After a decade in the repair shop, I've seen it all. Burning oil is like chronic poisoning. You might save a few hundred bucks on repairs now, but when the piston rings wear out severely and you need an engine overhaul, the bill will make you cry for three months. Crankcase blow-by also contaminates the throttle body, causing idle shaking and skyrocketing fuel consumption. Last week, a 3 Series owner didn't listen to advice, and half a year later, the exhaust was spewing blue smoke like burning straw, with the catalytic converter completely clogged—had to replace the whole set. Here's a self-check method: after a cold start, stomp on the gas and check the exhaust pipe; if there's blue smoke, you're in trouble. Especially with German cars—aging valve stem seals are a common issue. Fix it early for a few hundred bucks, but delay it, and a major repair will cost you at least thirty grand.

[Julian]

Don't gamble with safety! I've personally witnessed a BMW burning oil suddenly stall on the highway, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Insufficient oil leads to dry grinding of the turbo shaft, resulting in failure—replacing a new turbo could cost half a year's salary. Even more terrifying is carbon deposits falling into the cylinder and scratching the cylinder walls; by then, simply replacing piston rings won't solve the problem. Use a borescope to check the cylinder condition as soon as possible—spending 200 yuan on inspection is much better than 20,000 on major repairs. Burning half a liter every thousand kilometers is the warning line; exceeding this must be addressed immediately. Cars with excessive oil consumption won't even pass the annual inspection!