Where does the engine oil go when the dipstick is low?
Engines generally loose oil in two ways. It can leak past the piston rings or valve guides and is burned in the engine. If excessive, this requires engine repair to correct. Oil can also leak externally, due to bad gaskets and seals. There will normally be evidence of such leakage, such as oil under the vehicle or a burning smell. A small amount of engine oil loss is considered normal by many vehicle manufacturers. They contend that proper lubrication requires a small amount of oil leaking past the piston rings. This will normally account for one quart of oil or less in about 2,000 miles of driving. More loss may be considered a problem and should be investigated.
