Symptoms of Low Engine Oil

Dashboard Warning Light

To kick off, we’ll start with the most obvious way to tell if your oil has dropped below its normal levels. This is, simply, the dashboard warning light: As a symbol shaped like an oil can, this means low oil pressure. It alerts you through a system that measures the oil level, so it’s more than likely true when this is illuminated. Bring your vehicle in for the service it needs!

Oil Scent in the Cabin: Burning Oil

Picture this: You’re driving down the road, a normal day, when you catch scent of something burning. Is it a campfire outside, or something completely different? That burning smell is more than likely oil, and it’s heavily coating the cabin because you’re running low. You’ll want to come in for it to be refilled, but also to check for possible leaks.

Noises in the Engine

Another go-to is the steady clunk or knock under the hood. If it sounds like a clock is ticking away inside your vehicle, that’s not normal—and the real intruder at play here could be a low level of oil.

When your engine is operating at full efficiency, the oil properly keeps its parts moving. When this is diminished, those very same parts begin clanking together. It’s always wise to get it checked out when you begin hearing sounds from the engine.

Performance Begins Lacking

We touched on how keeping up to date with your maintenance results in a better overall condition for your car—but this level of oil will also increase your vehicle’s efficiency. When oil is fresh and full, your engine doesn’t have to make up the loss by working harder, and you’ll save fuel. If your performance begins to dwindle, or seems different from how it was before, that’s a good way to estimate that it’s time for your next top off.

This can also go hand-in-hand with an overheating engine, which is a tell-tale sign of low oil. When there’s not enough to lubricate the parts in the engine, it results in more friction, which can cause more significant damage if it’s not properly dealt with.