Oil lubricates your car’s engine, optimizing performance and function. Under normal conditions, most engines will consume roughly half a quart for every 5,000 miles driven, but if distressed, it might need more. If you notice an uptick in oil consumption, one of these issues could be the source.
Worn Piston Rings
If piston rings get damaged, they allow oil to leak into the internal combustion chamber, leading to the formation of carbon deposits on cylinders and piston rings. In turn, the engine will begin to demand more oil to replenish what has been lost.
Bad Oil
With low quality or dirty oil, your engine can burn hotter, as it won’t be able to effectively lubricate all the components. To make up for this loss, it will again increase consumption. This mistake can come from using the wrong oil for your engine or falling prey to cheap commercial products laced with mineral oils instead of additives.
Increased Oil Pressure
When oil pressure rises, oil floods the engine, possibly damaging cylinders and other essential parts. In many cases, this increase is caused by a faulty setting somewhere in the vehicle’s computer.
Worn Gaskets or Seals
Worn out crankshaft seals or valve cover gaskets will prompt an oil leak, which always sparks increased demand for engine lubrication.
An Old Engine
With time and use (usually after the first five years) engine parts become old and worn, making them crave more lubrication to function effectively. In many scenarios, older engines eat more oil by design. While you can opt for replacing an old engine, it often makes sense to start over with a newer model.
How to Fix These Issues
- Simply paying attention to your engine and its oil consumption will help you avoid lubrication-related engine problems. Consider checking the oil level before a drain, comparing the odometer mileage to the lube sticker’s. In some cases, the consumption rate will be noted on the inspection report.
- Watching out for leaks will help you differentiate between an oil and a transmission leak (engine oil is black or brown while transmission oil is red).
- Keeping up with regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep engine components in top shape, thus preventing dysfunction or failure. And if anything breaks, as sometimes happens, getting your vehicle inspected by a professional can help prevent the compromised part from causing more harm.
For all your vehicle’s maintenance and repair needs, call MMW Repair at 770-214-4688 and schedule an appointment today!