The amount of oil consumed depends on the car model and its age. When the maintenance light appears on the dashboard, it may unfortunately indicate that the engine is consuming more oil than necessary.
But how can you tell if your engine is using too much oil ?
What are the causes of excessive oil consumption ?
And how can you fix it ?
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How can I tell if my engine is consuming too much oil ?
Regularly Check the Oil Level
It's often said, but regularly checking your oil level is essential.
A monthly check is highly recommended.
But how do you do it? It’s quite simple—just remember your driving lessons :
- Start the engine for a few moments to warm it up.
- Let the engine cool down so the oil can settle.
- Open the hood and locate the dipstick (it usually has a yellow cap).
- Remove the dipstick and clean it with a cloth.
- Insert the dipstick back in, then remove it again.
- Observe the mark left by the oil on the dipstick.
- The level should be between the "MAX" and "MIN" markers.
The maintenance warning light on the dashboard
The maintenance light appearing on the dashboard can be an indicator, but don't rely solely on it.
This light can also signal other issues that have nothing to do with excessive oil consumption.
A smoking exhaust pipe
A little exhaust smoke is nothing serious. But when the smoke turns black, it's time to be concerned.
If your exhaust emits bluish or black smoke, this is a sign of excessive engine oil consumption. In such cases, the catalytic converter and DPF filters might also be affected.
Causes of excessive engine oil consumption
The causes of excessive oil consumption fall into two categories: issues related to the oil used or a mechanical failure.
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Using the right oil
It doesn’t take much: forgetting to change the oil or buying the wrong engine oil, and suddenly, you have an engine consuming more oil than it should.
Yes, it can be that simple !
If the engine oil is too old or unsuitable, it won't react properly and may seep into the engine cylinders.
A mechanical failure
Several mechanical failures can cause excessive engine oil consumption :
- A leak caused by wear or a broken oil pan gasket.
- Worn bearings or bushings that create a gap, allowing oil to seep into the cylinders.
- Wear of the cylinders and piston rings.
- Worn valve guides that push excessive oil, leading to premature seal wear.
What to do in case of excessive engine oil consumption
Before disassembling anything, check the usual oil consumption for your car model, as it can vary.
Once you confirm that your engine is consuming too much oil, you need to identify the cause. If it’s a mechanical issue, faulty parts will need to be replaced.
If the issue is related to the oil itself, an oil change and a thorough engine cleaning should solve the problem.
Conclusion
In any case, if you’re unsure about your oil consumption, you can always visit a mechanic. They will confirm whether your engine is consuming too much oil or not.
To learn more
Feel free to check out our articles on the topic if you want to learn more :