Are You Running Low on Engine Oil? Watch Out for These Signs
Oil is like your vehicle's blood. Several components and systems in your car rely on oil to function correctly. Therefore, it is crucial always to have the correct type and amount of oil for your car's different systems. For instance, engine oil is among the critical oils in your vehicle. It lubricates and cools your vehicle's engine. The engine oil also has another crucial role in cleaning your engine by removing harmful deposits like metal filings and debris. Therefore, your engine must have enough oil all the time. Unfortunately, leaky components, damaged valves, worn piston rings and other issues can make your engine go low on oil. These three signs will help you know that you are running low on engine oil.
Overheating
An overheating engine is one of the most notable signs of low engine oil. That's because lubrication and cooling are some of the engine oil's primary functions. Therefore, low engine levels result in more friction that consequently causes your engine to get too hot. Driving with an overheating engine is dangerous as too much heat can cause a fire. Therefore, always pull over to safety whenever you notice an overheating engine and allow it to cool down.
You will notice a burning smell when your engine starts overheating in most cases. Ignoring this may result in smoke coming out of your bonnet.
Sluggish Performance
Engine problems will always be noticeable with your vehicle's performance. Is your car more sluggish than usual? Your engine oil could be the culprit. The engine oil lubricates the metal components in your engine, allowing them to move and function efficiently. Therefore, you will notice a weaker performance of your car when you are low on engine oil. For instance, your vehicle may not accelerate as fast as it should. You may also notice engine stalls, among other signs.
Clunking Sounds
The sounds your vehicle makes when you drive can also help you know whether you have faulty components. And with low engine oil levels, you should listen for clunking sounds. Inadequately lubricated metal parts will often make a sound when they rub against each other. Therefore, be keen to notice any clunking or knocking sounds originating from under your bonnet. It's always best to have the car checked to avoid further damage. Usually, if you ignore the clunking or knocking sounds, you may start hearing grinding noises, indicating extremely low engine oil levels.
Contact a car repair service for more information.
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