How to Tell if a Car is Burning Oil?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to determine if a car is burning oil: 1. Check if the exhaust emits blue smoke; 2. Inspect whether the oil level frequently drops (excluding oil leaks); 3. Burning oil caused by overfilling the engine oil; 4. Check if the car's power has decreased (a drop in compression ratio leading to reduced power) among other steps can help determine if the car is burning oil. Here’s how to prevent oil burning: 1. Use engine oil that meets the vehicle's technical specifications. Many car owners never read the vehicle's manual and, even after years of driving, remain unaware of the quality and viscosity grade of oil their vehicle requires. There is a significant degree of randomness in their choice of oil. When selecting oil, pay attention to both the quality and viscosity indicators. 2. Avoid frequent rapid acceleration and prolonged high-speed driving. When the engine runs at excessively high speeds, it can easily break the lubricating oil film, leading to poor lubrication and dry friction in rotating parts. If this becomes a regular practice, it can cause abnormal engine wear and result in oil burning. Therefore, maintaining an economical speed is a good way to prevent oil burning. 3. Ensure the oil is filled according to specifications. If the oil level exceeds the midpoint, ask the mechanic to remove the excess oil. Additionally, the oil level should be checked the next morning before driving for accurate observation.
I think checking if a car is burning oil is quite simple, as I've driven many older cars that require regular checks. Every time I park and wait for the engine to cool down, I pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check—the oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If the oil consumption is too fast, such as dropping significantly within a month, or if there's light blue smoke from the exhaust pipe during a cold start, then there's clearly a problem. Additionally, weak acceleration or a burnt smell from the exhaust are also signs. It's best to quickly take the car to a professional shop to check the spark plugs and piston ring wear conditions. Otherwise, it could easily affect the engine's lifespan and cost more money.
