July 31st, 2010 • 18:07
Can A Car Engine Stop Working Simply Because It Was Low On Motor Oil?
My car stopped working when I was parked at a red light. About 10 minutes later, it started again, but I had to keep on revving the engine to make it stay on. I later checked and discovered that my oil was low. I put some more oil in to its mark and am not sure that it will solve the problem. Could it have possible been because I was low on oil?
Jul 31st 2010 • 20:07
by sarge927
Possible, but not probable (unless you were REALLY low on oil, like 2 quarts low or more). Don’t let your oil get lower than 1 quart low or you risk engine damage. Anything below 2 quarts low and you can seize the engine, which means you’ll be buying a new one. In your case, see what happens. If the added oil does the trick, GREAT!!! If not, take it in and get it looked at. DO NOT go to the dealership — they’ll charge you top-dollar and do a crappy job.
Jul 31st 2010 • 20:07
by electric
My car stopped working when I was parked at a red light. About 10 minutes later, it started again, but I had to keep on revving the engine to make it stay on. I later checked and discovered that my oil was low. I put some more oil in to its mark and am not sure that it will solve the problem. Could it have possible been because I was low on oil?
Jul 31st 2010 • 20:07
by Joseph P
Normally not unless you are almost out of oil. Most vehicles hold 5 quarts and to have your engine shut off you would need to be approximately 4 quarts low. But then again you will hear strange noises when running.
If you need to keep the engine RPM’s up I would suggest maybe a tune up.
Need more information such as vehicle make and model…engine size….ect.
Jul 31st 2010 • 21:07
by Otto
Some cars have a low oil pressure sensor which shuts off the engine to prevent damage if it detects the oil pressure is too low (caused by low oil quantity). How low was it and what kind of car is it?
Jul 31st 2010 • 22:07
by m diggity
If the car runs out of oil, the engine will cease. Basically the metal gets so hot it is like welding the engine together.
If that happens the engine is pretty much done for.
You should get an oil change soon, and ask them to make
sure there are no leaks.
Jul 31st 2010 • 23:07
by Jcontrol
How low? How much did you have to add? Oil is an engines blood! How well would you work if you were a quart low?:-(=
Jul 31st 2010 • 23:07
by cumminsd
Is it a newer car?? if so it might have a shutoff sensor of some sort…