What Happens When a Car Runs Without Engine Oil?

[OEverly]

The consequences of a car running without engine oil are: 1. The lubrication effect deteriorates, which can severely lead to engine seizure; 2. Dry or semi-dry friction forms between the cylinders and pistons, accelerating component wear, increasing startup resistance, and causing difficulty in starting; 3. The engine produces abnormal noises and the temperature rises. The primary function of engine oil is to provide appropriate lubrication to the engine's pistons, bearings, and other components, filtering out impurities and metal wear particles generated during engine operation through the oil filter to maintain the cleanliness of the lubrication system. Engine oil is as vital to the engine as the heart and blood are to the body, effectively protecting the engine's critical components and ensuring its normal operation. It is essential to change the engine oil promptly.

[DiLena]

My old car went through exactly this - the engine got completely wrecked. Engine oil is like blood to the human body; without it, the internal components start grinding against each other. First comes that awful metallic screeching noise, then the dashboard lights up with red warning lights. As you keep driving, the engine temperature skyrockets, and soon you'll smell something burning. By the time you notice the car struggling to accelerate and the steering wheel starts shaking, the connecting rods are already damaged. The worst part was when the pistons seized against the cylinder walls - the engine just died right in the middle of the road. The repair shop said the entire engine needed replacement. This painful lesson taught me to check the dipstick monthly now, and top up immediately if there's any leakage.

[LeAshley]

Running low on engine oil has extremely severe consequences, as the engine loses its protective film directly. Metal components rub against each other without lubrication, causing temperatures to skyrocket to 300-400 degrees Celsius within a short time. This leads to metal sintering, known professionally as cylinder scuffing or bearing seizure. I once witnessed a neighbor's car that suffered oil starvation - the repair cost over 8,000 yuan, and upon disassembly, the crankshaft was found fused together. Always pay attention to the oil pressure warning light while driving. It's normal for it to flash briefly during startup, but if it stays illuminated, it indicates danger. It's best to check the dipstick every 5,000 kilometers and top up if the level falls below the minimum mark. Older vehicles require extra attention to potential oil pan leakage issues.

[Hector]

Last time my friend's car almost had a major issue due to low engine oil. Right after getting on the highway, I noticed the acceleration was rough and the car body was vibrating strangely. Then the oil warning light suddenly came on. When I pulled over to check, the engine hood was so hot I couldn't even touch it. After towing it to the repair shop, they found the piston rings were completely worn out. The mechanic said if I had kept driving, the valves and connecting rods would have deformed and been ruined, and replacing them with a used engine would have cost 5,000 to 6,000 RMB. So now I've developed a habit of regular maintenance. Every time I change the oil, I make sure to check the oil pan drain bolt and see if the gasket has aged.