5 Symptoms of Low Engine Oil (And How to Check and Top Up Your Oil)
An old saying says that oil is the lifeblood of your car. Just as the human body needs blood to keep your heart beating and your organs functioning, your car’s engine relies on oil to lubricate its components and keep it running smoothly.
When your engine runs out of oil, it can cause serious damage and costly repairs. Learn the most common symptoms of low oil and how easy it is to check and top up your engine oil.
The 5 Most Important Signs of Low Oil Levels
Let’s take a closer look at the most common symptoms you may experience when your engine oil level is dangerously low. If you simply ignore these warnings, the $5-10 you would have spent on a quart or two of engine oil can quickly turn into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in engine repair costs.
1) Oil Warning Light
The first symptom you will notice is a warning light coming on in your dashboard. This indicates that the oil pressure is low due to a lack of oil in the engine.
Your vehicle is equipped with a sensor that can detect oil pressure. When the oil level in the engine drops, the sensor detects the drop in oil pressure. This will turn on the oil pressure warning light on the dashboard.
You should take this warning seriously and add oil to your vehicle before the symptoms get worse. If there is enough oil in the engine, a defective oil pressure switch may be the problem.
2) Knocking noise
This symptom only occurs if the oil in the engine has been low for a while. The friction of engine components and parts increases and the engine rods become significantly looser if they are not properly lubricated. As you may know, the rod holds the piston in place, so if the rod comes loose it will swing around in the engine, causing a knocking noise. If you have plenty of engine oil, a good oil additive is an easy solution.
3) Burning Smell
Engines contain many moving components. Many of these components are metal and come into regular contact with other metal components. When so much metal comes into contact with other metal, a lot of heat is generated in the engine.
Oil is a lubricant that normally minimizes this heat by cooling the components. So, if the oil level in your engine is low, these components are not cooled. As a result, a burning smell will enter the interior of your car.
4) Dipstick Test
If you want to know exactly if your oil level is low, check the oil level with the dipstick. To get an accurate reading, make sure the engine is off and the car is on level ground.
If the dipstick shows the oil level is below the minimum mark, it means you need to add oil. The opposite of having too much oil in the engine can also cause problems, and a dipstick check will also tell you this.
Note that many newer cars, such as Audi, no longer have a dipstick gauge under the bonnet; instead, a sensor is used to check the engine oil level and condition. If there is a problem, you will be notified by a message in the instrument cluster. This is convenient, but a faulty sensor can cause problems without you realizing that your oil level is low.
5) Engine Damage
This is the worst case scenario if your engine oil gets low. However, most people should be able to avoid this symptom, as they may already be experiencing the four symptoms mentioned above at this point.
However, if you continue to ignore these warning signs, you can expect your engine to eventually fail. In that case, you would have to buy an entirely new engine for your vehicle, which could cost thousands of dollars.
How to Check and Fill Engine Oil (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Checking and filling engine oil is a simple but important task that every car owner should master. Checking the oil level regularly (at least monthly) can help identify potential problems early and prevent costly engine damage.
This section will take you step-by-step through the process of checking and filling your oil, even if you’ve never checked your oil before.
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle
First, make sure your car is on a level surface and the engine is cold. A hot engine can give inaccurate readings and can even cause burns. So, wait at least 10-15 minutes after shutting off the engine before checking the oil.
Step 2: Locate the oil dipstick
Open the hood of your car and look for the oil dipstick. It’s usually easy to find, as it’s near the engine and has a bright handle (usually yellow or orange). If you can’t find it, check your car’s owner’s manual. NOTE: Some modern vehicles (like many Audis) do not have a physical dipstick. Instead, the vehicle uses various sensors to monitor the oil level. If the oil level falls below a certain limit, a warning message will appear on the dashboard.
Step 3: Remove and clean the dipstick
Pull the dipstick straight out of the tube and wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. This step is necessary to get an accurate reading when you reinsert the dipstick.
STEP 4: CHECK THE OIL LEVEL
Insert the dipstick all the way into the tube and slowly pull it straight out. Be careful not to touch the inside of the pipe (if you’ve played the old Harbro game “Operation” you have an advantage).
Look at the end of the dipstick. There you will see two marks or lines that indicate the minimum and maximum oil levels. The oil level should be somewhere between these two marks. If it’s below the minimum line, it’s time to add oil. Tip: If the oil is dark, gritty, or milky, it’s probably time for an oil change, even if the level is fine.
Step 5: Refill the oil (if necessary)
If the oil level is low, find the oil fill cap on the top of your engine. It’s usually marked with an oil can. Remove the lid and use a funnel to pour in the right amount of oil. A funnel isn’t required, but it definitely helps prevent spills.
Your owner’s manual will tell you how much oil to add when the oil level is low, but it’s usually safe to add in 1/2 quart increments. You don’t want too little oil, but you also don’t want too much.
Tip: Always use the type and viscosity of oil recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Using the wrong oil can cause other types of engine problems.
Step 6: Check the oil level again
After adding oil, it’s a good idea to close the oil cap and start your car. Drive for a minute or two, shut off the engine and check the level again with the dipstick.
The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If it’s still low, add another half a litre, run the car again and check the level again, repeating the process.
If you accidentally add too much oil, don’t panic. You can use a fluid extractor (or a baster if the oil level is within reach) to remove the excess oil. If you don’t have either, you can get under the car and open the oil drain pan screw or plug slightly to let a little oil drip out.
Step 7: Clean and close the hood
Once the oil level is in place, wipe up any spilled or dripping oil with a rag, replace the oil filler cap and dipstick, and close the hood. Done!
