How many kilometers can a car drive when the engine oil reaches the minimum level?
4 Answers
When the engine oil reaches the minimum level, the car can drive within 200 kilometers. If the oil warning light turns red, you should not continue driving. The functions of engine oil are: 1. To separate the surfaces of relatively sliding parts, thereby reducing wear; 2. To bring heat back to the oil tank and then dissipate it into the air to help the radiator cool the engine; 3. To circulate carbon deposits, sludge, and worn metal particles from engine parts back to the oil tank, flushing away dirt generated on the working surfaces of the parts through the flow of the lubricating oil. Signs that indicate the need for an oil change include: 1. Checking the oil viscosity—if there is no viscosity, the oil needs to be changed; 2. The oil color turns black; 3. Excessive black particles, metal shavings, or carbon deposits in the oil; 4. The oil smells unusual.
This is really not something to be taken lightly. I've personally seen engines ruined due to insufficient oil. When the dipstick reaches the minimum line, it means there's not enough oil to maintain proper lubrication. Continuing to drive is like letting the engine grind dry. If you absolutely must drive, you might make it a few kilometers to the nearest repair shop at most, but you'd have to keep an eye on the dashboard the whole time and keep the speed below 40 km/h. But I genuinely don't recommend taking the risk. Last year, my neighbor thought driving another ten kilometers would be fine, and ended up with piston seizure, costing over 8,000 yuan in repairs. The safest option is to stop immediately and call a tow truck—never gamble with your engine.
From a maintenance perspective, the maximum distance a car can go when the oil runs out is purely a matter of luck. I've seen some cars barely manage five kilometers in the city before the warning light comes on, while others on the highway seize up after just two or three kilometers. The core issue is that the oil pump can't draw enough oil, causing direct metal friction between the bearing and crankshaft, leading to high-temperature welding in minutes. In such cases, you should immediately turn off the air conditioning, drive steadily at a constant speed, keep the RPM below 2000, and head straight to the nearest repair shop. However, this is still a last resort. Last year, I handled a case with a Sagitar whose owner pushed it for 15 kilometers, resulting in a 12,000 yuan engine overhaul. It would have been much cheaper to just call a tow truck for a few hundred yuan.
A veteran driver with over a decade of experience tells you that insufficient oil is more dangerous than running out of fuel. When the oil level drops below the minimum mark, the residual oil in the oil pan may be insufficient for pumping, leading to dry friction among internal engine components. The worst case I've encountered was a car owner who continued driving for 8 kilometers, resulting in a seized crankshaft and complete engine failure. Therefore, it's better to call a tow truck than to push your luck, especially for turbocharged models which are more fragile. If you truly have no other option, keep your speed under 40 km/h, don't exceed three kilometers, and immediately shut off the engine if the oil pressure warning light comes on.
