Can You Still Drive When the Car Indicates Insufficient Engine Oil?
2 Answers
When the engine oil is insufficient, it is recommended not to drive the car, as it can damage the engine. Too little oil can cause poor lubrication and wear on engine components, while too much can increase operational resistance. The reasons and solutions for insufficient engine oil pressure are as follows: Insufficient oil quantity: This situation is relatively easy to resolve; simply add the same type of engine oil. Presence of impurities in the oil: If there are impurities in the oil, they can clog the oil delivery pipes, leading to low oil pressure. In this case, the oil needs to be replaced. Damaged oil pressure sensor: When the oil pressure sensor is damaged, it can easily misjudge the oil's condition. This situation requires professional handling.
Last time I personally witnessed a colleague's car with the oil light on still pushing through, and it ended up completely destroying the engine. That little oil can light on the dashboard is no joke—it means the oil pressure has already dropped below the safe limit. The smartest move is to pull over and shut off the engine immediately; don’t even think about trying to limp along by adding oil. After stopping, pull out the dipstick to check the oil level. If it’s at the lower mark, you can top it up temporarily to drive to the repair shop, but never go more than 5 kilometers. Remember, without oil lubrication, the metal parts in the engine will grind against each other at high speed and seize up instantly. Last year, a BMW in our neighborhood drove 3 kilometers after the light came on and ended up spending over 40,000 yuan on a new engine.
