Driving your car when it has run out of oil is a bad idea. Oil is essential for a healthy car engine and without it, you risk your engine overheating to the point where it can catch fire. Yes, driving without oil is a very very bad idea!
If you want to know how long can a car run without oil, the short answer is not very far at all. Every minute you are driving without oil is another minute closer to a complete engine burnout. However, all car models vary and there are many variables that can influence how long you can drive a car with no oil.
In this article, we explain why your car needs an oil, the signs of low oil to look out for and we answer in more detail all your questions about how long a car can run without oil.
Not all drivers know the many roles oil plays in their car’s engine. You likely know that one of the purposes of oil is to lubricate inside the engine, but that is just one of many essential jobs that it does.
Here is a list of all the reasons why a car engine needs oil:
As you can see, oil is a key ingredient in keeping your engine healthy and running smoothly. When your car runs out of oil all of these essential engine functions will be compromised.
When there is no oil in the engine the moving parts can begin to heat up to dangerously high temperatures. When hot metal components move against each other with no lubrication, fragments can begin to splinter off the metal parts and damage inside the engine.
You should not drive a car with no oil because when the metal parts heat up and cause friction due to lack of lubrication, the engine can be permanently damaged and may even catch on fire.
Regular oil checks are an important part of your car’s regular maintenance. Use the dipstick in your car engine to check your oil levels, if you are not sure where it is you can refer to your car user manual.
However, life is busy and most drivers don’t have the time to check their engine oil every day. If your engine is running low on oil or has no oil in the engine at all, you will know about it. When your car is low on oil there will be many signs, your engine won’t just burst into flames with no prior warning.
Here are the most common signs your car is low on oil:
This one is obvious, if your oil pressure light is on then it’s time to top up your engine oil.
When there is not enough oil to properly lubricate the metal parts in the engine, they will make a loud clunking sound as they move together. You may also notice a grinding noise or a banging. Without oil, your engine can not run safely and as soon as you hear any strange noises from the engine you should try to pull over and assess the situation.
If you notice your temperature gauge is a bit on the high side or your car is displaying any other signs of an overheating engine, low oil may be to blame. Your engine will overheat if there is not enough oil due to the metal parts not being lubricated and the friction causing the temperature inside the engine to rise.
A strange smell coming from the engine is always a warning sign that something is about to go seriously wrong. If you can smell burning oil then this may be due to an oil leak inside the engine. The oil dripping onto the hot engine parts can cause this burning odor and is a sign your engine oil levels are too low.
If your car is burning through gas and you are not sure why it may be because there is not enough oil in the engine. When your engine is not well lubricated the engine needs to work harder, which in turn will use up more fuel.
When your car is running low on oil, this is not something you can just ignore without causing any damage to your engine. If you don’t always have a can of spare engine oil in the trunk (and most drivers don’t) and you are not near a mechanic or your home, can you drive a car with no oil?
Your car engine won’t immediately shut off or burst into flames if you continue to drive it without oil. However, every second you keep driving with no oil, you are putting your car at risk of serious and potentially irreparable damage.
The general health of your engine will influence how long it can run without oil. If your engine already has damage or there is a lot of existing corrosion and rust, it won’t take long at all for the engine to become dangerously overheated if it is running with no lubrication.
There is not a set time limit for how long a car can run without oil but it is very unlikely any engine can be put under that amount of stress for more than around 30 minutes.
One car may last just a few seconds before the engine packs in, while a car with a better engine may manage to make it into the safe hands of a mechanic without breaking down.
It is important to remember that while your engine may still run, it is not running efficiently or safely and our best advice would be to never drive a car with no oil in the engine.
You will be able to tell if your engine is being damaged by low oil because there will be many obvious signs. If your car is low on oil the oil pressure light will ignite on the dashboard and you may also notice a burning smell.
Low engine oil can also cause a loud clunking and grinding sound and you may also notice you’re getting through gas quicker than usual.
When there is not enough oil in your engine the metal parts are not sufficiently lubricated and can break when they rub together without lubrication. Oil also works as a coolant so if your engine is overheating this may be due to low oil levels.
In many car models, if the gas light comes on drivers will have approximately 30 – 50 miles before their tank is truly empty. However, if you continue to try and drive when you are out of gas you risk causing damage to your can that will be far more expensive to repair than a tank of gas.
A diesel engine will run without oil but not for very long. Oil is essential for cars that run on petrol or diesel, whichever gas you use you will always need the engine to have the correct amount of oil.
There is no one set time limit for how long a diesel engine can run without oil, but it is very unlikely any car will be able to run for more than 30 minutes without oil. In fact, many car engines will shut off in just a few minutes, or even seconds in some cases.
A car engine will seize when it runs out of oil. It is possible for the engine to overheat and even explode when it is run with no oil working to lubricate all of the metal parts. Depending on the severity of the damage caused, you may be able to fix an engine after it has run out of oil.
You will need to take a trip to a mechanic to have them fully assess the damage. Driving a car with no oil can completely destroy the engine and that is why regular oil maintenance is essential.
You should wait around five to ten minutes after driving before checking the oil. You can not check oil levels immediately as the oil will not have settled in the pan and you will not get an accurate reading when using the dipstick.
Going too long between oil changes can cause serious harm to your car engine. When your engine is low on oil the metal parts will not be sufficiently lubricated and small pieces can splinter off into the engine, causing scratches and damage.
Your engine may also overheat and be completely destroyed if you run the oil right down. If you don’t know how often your car needs an oil change, refer to the car owner’s manual.
Driving a car after it has run out of oil can cause extreme damage to your engine. There is no one set time frame for driving a car with low oil but it is strongly advised you do not drive your car at all as soon as you know it has no oil.
A car may be able to run for around 30 minutes with no oil but this is highly unlikely. When an engine is running with no oil it takes only minutes for the metal parts to cause dangerous levels of friction. Driving with no oil can permanently damage your vehicle but regular oil maintenance will help to prevent oil levels from becoming dangerously low.
