Oil is one of the essential components of the engine. It reduces friction and helps cool the engine.
This has prompted car manufacturers to add a significant amount of oil to the engine, roughly equal to the volume of coolant in the engine’s cooling system.
What is the normal engine oil level?
The engine crankcase contains approximately five (5) liters of oil. The oil level can be determined using the oil dipstick, which in most cars has several grades indicating the level from high to low. Some cars have only two grades: the highest (Max) level and the lowest (Min) level.
The normal engine oil level is slightly lower than or equal to the highest (Max) level. Most modern cars are equipped with an oil level sensor, which appears on the instrument panel when you turn the ignition key before starting the engine. The phrase “Oil OK” appears.
All engines are equipped with an oil level gauge. Some models don’t just have a “Min Max” but also include some illustrative words that alert the driver to add more oil. For example, the word “Add” appears at a certain level on the oil gauge, alerting the driver to the need to add more oil.
Some companies also set different oil levels for when the engine is running or when it’s stopped. One side shows the oil level when the engine is stopped, and the other side shows the oil level when the engine is running.
This type of gauge is found on large excavators and trucks that operate for long periods of time. You don’t need to stop the engine to check the oil level, as the gauge has both “running” and “stopping” modes.
What happens to the engine if the oil level is lower than normal?
If the engine oil level is lower than normal, there’s a high probability of engine failure and damage, including a broken crankshaft, a dislodged connecting rod, or even a broken camshaft.
This is due to the remaining oil not being able to lubricate the internal parts of the engine. You’ll notice a change in engine sound once the oil level drops, with a significant increase in engine temperature.
The most common component affected by low oil is the turbo, as it is mounted outside the engine and lubricated via a small tube.
The camshaft is also a common component that breaks due to lack of lubrication. Low oil problems will be exacerbated if you use a poor quality oil, as the heat will turn the oil into something resembling grease.
Low oil levels have effects that vary depending on the engine, its size, and the manufacturer.
They also vary depending on the type of oil used, its condition, the quality of the filter, general engine maintenance, and many other factors that contribute to the final outcome of low oil levels in the engine.
In some cars, low oil levels can cause the oil pump sensor light on the dashboard to come on. This problem is common in french Peugeot engines.
