If I have a little oil on the stick, how far can I go before I HAVE to add oil?

Answer 1

I have just one answer for that question. Not very far. It also depends on how big the engine is. If you have a V6 or V8 then not very far because of heat problems.

Answer 2

Both others are good answers.

I can tell you how long you have. Nor can anybody else. There are to many factors as to how you drive, how much oil the vehicle uses, how bad the leaks are, etc.

Truth is you don't HAVE to do anything. But in the interest of your engine you should add the oil like yesterday. At least you are still registering on the stick. But that oil is getting a lot dirtier a lor quicker than a full pan would be. Plus there is the issue of heat transfer and sludging. Not to mention depending on the location fo your oil pump pick-up tube you could be starving the oil when you accelerate, take a turn, sit on an incline, etc. And this is very bad.

I say, pony up but a quart, add the whole thing, see where this puts you and keep an extra quart handy for when this happens again.

Answer 3

How far can you go before the car stops running?

Or how far can you go before you start to do any damage?

I'd guess that if there is just a little oil on the end of the stick, you are about 2 quarts low and you could drive 1000's of miles that way. It would not be good for the car, but the car would probably not stop running if everything else was OK, unless you were driving in really harsh conditions like Mountain driving or 120 degrees.


But if you took 2 identical new cars and ran one of them 2 quarts low all the time and ran the other one at the proper oil level, I'd bet you would see oil related engine failure at 40,000 - 50,000 miles on the low oil car and 150,000 to 250,000 on the one that is properly maintained. The low oil car would also experience more problems because it would run hotter than a car with the proper level of oil.

The point is your car will last longer if you keep the oil clean and full (but not overfull).

Answer 4

The engine uses the oil for more than just lubrication. It uses it for dissipating heat as well. If the stick shows oil, you can PROBABLY drive it for a little while. BUT don't abuse the extension.
You SHOULD maintain at all times the MIN level at least, an preferably somewhere between the MIN and the MAX.

Good Luck

Answer 5

depends on how fast and where it leaks from. It could leak while sitting still then you'll go nowhere because it'll be out of oil before you leave the driveway or parking spot. The bottom of the stick is most likely about 1.5 quarts low and since most small cars are only 4 quarts that's quite a bit.

Answer 6

you can buy a quart or two for five bucks and be safe, or you can push your luck and blow up your engine..... it's up to you....safe, or sorry?