United Tire and Service News

More than likely, you are the type of owner who takes good care of your car and you know the importance of getting the proper maintenance and repairs completed on a regular basis. However, if someone were to ask you today if your engine oil level is full, would you be able to say "yes?" There are several dangers of driving with low engine oil and our team at United Tire & Service has outlined some of the top threats here so you can stay informed and ensure your oil tank always has a sufficient amount of oil.

 

To check the oil level, simply use the oil dipstick located on your engine. Refer to your owner's manual for the precise location. Make sure the engine hasn't been running for a while (approximately 10 minutes) and then visually inspect the reading on the oil dipstick. Although the dashboard warning lights are designed to alert you when the oil level is low, it’s not something that you want to depend on. 

 

An oil leak can be caused by a loose drain plug in the oil pan, a defective oil pan gasket or even a pin-hole in the oil filter. It is very unlikely that the oil will immediately decrease to a dangerous level merely due to normal driving. However, oil does lose its velocity over time and small amounts can seep out of the tiniest opening. This is the most common type of oil leak, especially with older vehicles. 

 

Driving your car with a low oil level will eventually cause serious harm to your engine, but in the meantime, your engine will not perform as well as it normally does. Your car may become more sluggish and not have as much “pep” as you’ve been accustomed to. There also may be a decrease in gas mileage, which can become increasingly worse over time.  A common problem associated with a low oil level is driving with a bad oil pressure sensor. Undoubtedly, a bad oil pressure sensor, which is designed to regulate the oil flow, will lead to difficulty starting the engine, or worse, the engine may not start at all.  

 

A low oil level can affect the handling ability of your car, especially while on the highway when you need peak engine performance. This situation creates a very dangerous safety factor. Every engine has a specific amount of horsepower that it produces and a low oil level affects the ability to maintain the horsepower at peak levels. The most severe situation, and costly, is the engine could become completely inoperable; more commonly known as a “blown engine." If this occurs, the engine needs to be replaced or rebuilt. 

United Tire & Service has 13 locations for your convenience. With independently owned shops throughout the Philadelphia community, we're committed to going the extra mile for customer satisfaction. Interested in scheduling an appointment for your vehicle? Use our online service scheduler or contact us directly!