How to Check If Your Car is Burning Engine Oil

Checking your car’s oil, and fluids in general is one of the simplest ways to keep the vehicle happy and healthy. However, it’s also one of the most overlooked aspects of automotive maintenance. 

Most people often wait till the light goes on, then take it in for service only to forget about it a little later. However, it’s incredibly important to check your oil frequently in order to make sure it hasn’t caught a case of excessive oil consumption. And yes, even new cars burn oil, so be diligent.

How to Check if Your Car Burns Engine Oil

Checking your oil takes about 5 minutes. Refer to your owner’s manual or online as to whether or not you should run the car until it reaches operating temperatures or if you should check it cold. 

Every car is different, but the process is fairly the same. Most dipsticks are also the same, with two little lines or dots indicating how much oil is in there. The bottom dot represents the “fill line.” Be sure your oil level doesn’t drop below that. The top dot is the “full line.” Make sure your oil level is never above that.

First, remove the dipstick, which is easily indicated by an orange or yellow tab right on your engine. As you pull it out, you’ll find it’s got some remnants of oil in it. Wipe it down with a towel, and then slide it back in. Pull it out again and take a peek at the oil. Wherever it ends between the two dots is your oil level.

But one oil check can’t prove whether you’re burning oil or not. Before putting the dipstick back, snap a clear photograph and hang on to it. Drive for about 1000 miles or so, then check the oil again. 

If it’s where it was before, or relatively close, then you’re likely not burning oil. It’s a good practice to check your oil every 1000 miles because what may look like a minor change in oil levels after 1,000 miles be a large difference after 3,000 miles.

If you are burning oil, go to the nearest car parts store or filling station to see if they have your car’s oil, and a funnel just to make life easier. Always refer to the owner’s manual and fill your engine with what’s recommended. Unscrew the large black cap on your car (it often has the engine oil grade written on it.) and fill the engine a quarter bottle at a time to make sure you don’t overfill.

How to Fix Burning Engine Oil

You’ve caught the problem, but what can you do to help stop burning oil now? There are several things that could be wrong with your car, some of which are more expensive than others. The easiest fix to oil burning issues is engine oil additives, but be very cautious. Some of these additives are like snake oil, they do nothing and no harm to the engine. 

Others, however, can do more harm than good in the long run. And if an engine is in bad enough shape, the additives won’t do anything to stop it from burning oil. It’s best to look at the mechanics of your car.

Very often, excessive oil consumption is caused by a dirty or damaged PCV valve. Short for positive crankcase ventilation, it gets harmful emissions out of the engine and through the tailpipe. 

But when it gets clogged up, it creates a vacuum that sucks oil into the engine, which ends up getting burned. Luckily, it’s so easy to fix you can do it at home. If, however, the issue persists, it could have something to do with your engine’s internals.

Piston rings are often the next culprit, and while having those replaced can help with oil consumption, it can be expensive. Be sure to have this done professionally, as rebuilding an engine is no easy feat.

Is Engine Oil Burning a Common Issue?

No car should burn oil, but many cars do. According to experts, even new cars fall victim to excessive oil consumption. And to automakers, it’s seen as a nonissue. Excessive oil in and of itself isn’t exactly dangerous, car recalls and warranties worry more about damage to the occupant.

But checking your engine’s oil and making sure it’s topped off now and then makes excessive oil consumption a symptom many grow to live with. Leaking oil is a cause for alarm, but burning oil happens as a car ages. So if you want to make sure your car’s life is extended, be sure to check every 1,000 miles.