Oil is a vital part of any vehicle, as it lubricates, cools, and cleans your engine. However, over time your oil can diminish, meaning your car isn’t going to run as well as it should. So, how can you tell if you’re running on low engine oil?

1. Oil pressure warning light

One of the first signs that you’re running on low oil is the occurrence of a warning light. If your car has this warning light, it’s going to let you know that there is an issue with your engine and that it needs to be serviced. At this point, it’s important that you stop what you’re doing and have the problem taken care of immediately.

2. Strange noises from the engine

This is a very common sign of low oil. If your car is making unusual noises while idling, you may be experiencing oil related issues. When your engine does not have enough oil to stay lubricated, parts can rub together resulting in clunking types of noises. Your car should not be making any strange noises while it’s in drive. If you don’t attend to these noises immediately, you might cause long-term damage to other parts of your car, such as your timing belt.

3. Smoking on startup

One thing that can commonly happen with a vehicle with low oil level is that smoke will come out when you start it. This is usually caused by the oil outlet hose burning, which means that there is too much pressure between the oil and the engine head. If you notice any type of smoke coming out of your vehicle, take it to a mechanic as soon as you can.

4. Cuts while starting

If you are running on low engine oil, after you turn your car on, it could cut out right away. This can occur due to a limited amount of oil that is being supplied to start the motor going at a faster rate than usual. When this happens, your engine is not able to reach its full speed before stopping.

5. Excessive mileage

Another indication of low oil is that you won’t be using your car as much as normal. This means that your engine isn’t working at its best. If you start to notice that your car is being hard to steer or that it isn’t going as fast, this can be the result of low oil. Bring your vehicle in for an oil change as soon as you notice it.

There are many signs that your engine is low. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s very important that you have the problem taken care of immediately. If it’s not manageable, you may have to take your vehicle in for a service. If you don’t check up on your car and perform regular maintenance on it, there are potential problems that can arise which can lead to serious issues in the future.