What Happens When a Car Engine is Low on Oil?

[MacLena]

Insufficient engine oil can lead to poor lubrication of the engine's friction surfaces, resulting in abnormal vibrations and reduced power. In severe cases, it may even cause engine bearing seizure. The functions of engine oil are as follows: Lubrication: There is rapid relative sliding between the piston and cylinder, as well as between the crankshaft and bearings. To prevent excessive wear of components, an oil film must be established between these sliding surfaces. A sufficiently thick oil film separates the surfaces of the relatively sliding parts, thereby reducing wear. Auxiliary Cooling: Engine oil has a relatively low specific heat capacity and does not inherently have a cooling effect inside the engine. However, during engine operation, the heat generated by fuel combustion can be carried back to the oil pan by the oil and then dissipated into the air, assisting the radiator in cooling the engine. The actual cooling is performed by the water outside the engine block.