6 Reasons Your Engine Oil May Be Low in Salem, OR

Oil is absolutely crucial to the functioning of your engine. It lubricates the moving parts so that metal doesn't grind against metal and cause massive damage. Because the oil is in a closed system, it should remain at the same level the entire time it's in your vehicle. If this is not the case, there's bound to be trouble. Checking your oil levels regularly is a great idea. If the levels are low, bring your vehicle to an authorized service center. What could cause low oil levels? Below are six common reasons.

6. A Bad Oil Change

Though this isn't a common occurrence, it is an easy fix--so it's worth checking first. If your friend who "knows a lot about cars" has changed your oil, or if you've taken it to a less-than-scrupulous shop, there's a chance that there simply wasn't enough oil added. Try adding a little more oil; if the levels stay high, this may be what was causing it. If the levels get low again, there's likely another problem.

5. A Leaky Oil Pan

The oil pan sits at the bottom of the engine; when the vehicle isn't running, the oil pan is where the oil settles. If there's a leak here, it's likely to leave a puddle of oil under your car when it's parked. Even though it doesn't look great, it's actually one of the better places for oil to leak, especially since it announces itself--unlike our next item on the list.

4. An Oil Leak Elsewhere

Oil circulates through the engine, so there are many places other than the pan where a leak can spring up. There's a chance that, like a leaky oil pan, these leaks might leave a puddle under your vehicle. However, it's also possible that they won't; the oil may simply land on the engine and become congealed before hitting the ground. Because finding leaks like this can be difficult, technicians will perform a dye test to pinpoint the source of the leak.

3. A Bad PCV Valve

If your engine is low on oil but there isn't a leak, that means it's probably being burned inside the engine. A bad PCV valve is a frequent culprit in the case of burning oil--but what is it, exactly? A PCV valve is designed to let air escape when the pressure in the crankcase is too high. But if the PCV valve has gone bad, it will bring too much oil into the engine. The upside of this is that the valve is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace for skilled techs.

2. Worn-Out Intake and Exhaust Valves

The intake valves let the combination of fuel and air required for combustion into the cylinders, and the exhaust valves let the exhaust from this process escape. Over time, however, these parts will wear down, making for excess oil. These parts must be replaced; they can't be repaired.

1. Worn Piston Rings

The intake and exhaust valves are on one end of the cylinders, and the pistons are at the other end. The piston rings seal the piston, making it impossible for oil to get by as the piston moves in the cylinder. So a worn piston ring will allow the oil to get into the combustion chamber. If the piston rings or valves are worn, it might be an indication that the engine itself is wearing out.