I was thinking about how driving super fast can burn more gasoline. I’m not a gearhead, but I think the same might be true for engine oil. If I drive fast, will I burn oil more quickly?
, can burn gas more quickly. And while the result isn’t as drastic, driving fast burns oil as well. However, this is typically only true at high RPMs, and the burning of oil is negligible unless you have other engine issues.
The reason that driving fast burns oil at high RPMs is because you’re putting extra pressure on seals and gaskets in your car. Even new seals and gaskets may experience a bit of seepage that eventually is consumed in the combustion chamber of the engine. Again, this is typically negligible, but it’s worth discussing on older vehicles or if you haven’t had a tuneup lately.
That said, other factors burn oil far faster than driving quickly. Here are some quick diagnoses to consider if you smell oil while driving:
Running your engine at higher temperatures/lack of coolant
Dirty oil filter
Motor oil that has a viscosity that’s too low
Low-quality motor oil
Not using the manufacturer-recommended motor oil
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