What are the impacts of engine oil level being below the minimum limit?
4 Answers
Impacts of engine oil level being below the minimum limit: 1. It causes insufficient lubrication in the engine, exacerbating engine wear. Prolonged lack of oil will eventually burn out the engine and may also trigger the oil level warning light during driving; 2. When the oil level is too low, it can lead to issues such as abnormal valve noise. When checking the oil level, it must be done with the engine turned off and the vehicle parked on a level surface. Wait three to five minutes after turning off the engine before checking the oil level. If the oil level is low, especially below the minimum mark, it should be replenished promptly to avoid triggering the oil warning light. Engine oil is categorized into gasoline engine oil and diesel engine oil, suitable for gasoline and diesel engines respectively.
Running the engine with oil below the minimum level is extremely dangerous. I once narrowly avoided disaster. Without sufficient lubrication, metal components grind directly against each other – I could hear the pistons squealing against cylinder walls. Prolonged operation like this inevitably leads to major engine overhaul. Worse still, inadequate cooling causes oil temperatures to skyrocket, often resulting in bearing failures. The oil pump may start sucking air, causing complete lubrication system failure. I've seen people stubbornly drive until their engines seized, ultimately costing tens of thousands to replace. Now I've developed a habit of checking the dipstick monthly – if it's below the midpoint, I top up immediately. This isn't something to take lightly.
If the engine oil level drops below the minimum mark, the car will alert you. I once experienced increased engine noise, like a metallic hissing sound, along with slight steering wheel vibrations while driving. Insufficient oil means the crankshaft and camshaft aren't properly lubricated, accelerating component wear. Engine oil also carries away metal debris - low levels allow contaminants to accumulate, potentially clogging oil passages. Fuel consumption may rise inexplicably, with noticeable power loss during acceleration. In such situations, immediately pull over to check and top up the oil to prevent serious damage.
Veteran car owners should pay special attention to the oil level. Based on my 15 years of driving experience, if it falls below the minimum mark, immediate action is required. Failing to top up oil in time can lead to excessive wear of piston rings and cylinder walls, resulting in oil burning. Not only will blue smoke come out of the exhaust, but the catalytic converter can also be easily damaged. Replacing a catalytic converter at a repair shop costs several thousand yuan. In more severe cases, bearing shells can get burnt, requiring a complete engine overhaul that costs over ten thousand yuan. Compared to that, how much does engine oil cost? I always keep a bottle of the right specification oil in my trunk, topping it up when it's low—saving both money and hassle.
