The Dangers of Driving with Low Oil Level 

Every vehicle at Jessup Cadillac in Cathedral City, CA, including yours, thrives on oil. This essential fluid lubricates the moving parts of your engine to minimize friction and wear, cools the parts of your engine that the coolant doesn’t reach, creates a seal around cylinder walls and piston rings to maintain fuel economy, and guards against corrosion and rust. Driving with this fluid too low may be dangerous.

When the Oil Light Comes On

Oil is so important that it gets its own indicator on the dashboard. And when this light comes on, it’s time to pay attention to why:

• Regular oil change needed. The oil in your vehicle must be changed at the intervals specified in your owner’s manual. If you do not replenish this fluid as needed, its levels may drop enough to turn on the oil light.

• Oil pressure is too low. Either there’s not enough oil to circulate through the system or the oil pump isn’t moving enough oil around. Because this fluid lubricates the pump surfaces and engine, if it’s too low, you need to pull over and stop the car. Get it towed to the nearest service center for inspection.

• The oil circuit is worn out with age. As time passes, the oil circuit may degrade, increasing the size of small gaps between moving parts. This can reduce oil pressure. Another cause of low oil pressure is an aging pump. Either cause can illuminate the oil light and demand a visit to our Service Department.

• The oil sensor isn’t working correctly. The oil sensor controls the oil light by monitoring the oil passage. Debris that reaches the probe may send faulty messages to the car computer, If your oil level is adequate and the oil light stays on, the oil sensor may need to be replaced.

What to Do

When your oil light comes on, take the following steps.

1. Pull off to a safe place. You want to get out of traffic and park someplace safe. Otherwise, your car may stop running when the engine fails, making your car a target for collisions.

2. Shut off the engine. This prevents parts from moving and producing more damage.

3. Check the oil levels. Wait for the engine to cool and then pop open the hood. Locate the oil dipstick. (Your owner’s manual can tell you when to find it.) Pull out the dipstick, wipe off the tip, and reinsert it back. Pull out the dipstick once more. Oil levels should be between the minimum and maximum marks at the end of the dipstick. If it’s slightly below minimum, you can still drive your vehicle to our service center. If no oil is showing, do not drive further.

4. Contact our service center. If you still have oil, have our factory-trained technicians inspect the oil system. If you have no oil, have your vehicle towed to a service center for an inspection.

Reasons for Losing Oil

The most common reason that your vehicle loses oil is because of a leak. If you look under your vehicle and you see a dark brown or black puddle, you have a leak. You want to get this fixed soon because leaking oil can pose a fire hazard.

Another reason may be a problem inside your engine. If the oil seal or gasket is worn out or the oil is exposed to high temperatures, it can seep into other parts of the engine. If you smell something burning or bluish smoke comes from the tailpipe when you accelerate, you have an internal leak.

Danger of Driving with Low Oil Levels

As long as your engine has oil, it can function correctly for a short time. But low oil can eventually lead to no oil. If your car has none of this essential fluid, its many moving parts can rub against each other. That friction and extra heat can affect your engine severely. If you suspect that your car has no oil, don’t even consider driving or you may risk costly damage.

Need More Information?

If you have questions or want your oil checked by professionals, contact the Service Department at Jessup Cadillac. Our auto mechanics will be happy to help you.

Our Services

Being a Cadillac owner means knowing every technician at Jessup Cadillac who services your vehicle has met some of the highest service standards in the industry. When you bring your vehicle to us, you can be certain of two things: quality service and certified Cadillac parts. Our Service Department staff is passionate about caring for the best vehicles in the world, and committed to keeping your Cadillac performing optimally. 

Get Cadillac Service Discounts in CATHEDRAL CITY

Save on your next Cadillac service appointment in CATHEDRAL CITY with Jessup Cadillac discounts. Take a look at our current service specials, or call us at (760) 903-2099 to hear more. Jessup Cadillac offers expert repairs, maintenance, parts installation and more at our CATHEDRAL CITY auto repair center. Explore our service incentives here, then schedule your appointment online. We look forward to helping you keep your car in peak condition.

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