Can you put oil in car after it runs out of oil?

Answer 1

If a car runs out of oil, as measured by the dipstick, then more oil has to be added before the engine is started again. Damage will quickly occur in case there is too little engine oil in the oil pan on a running engine. The damage happens for two main reasons, first because of direct abrasion between unlubricated metal touching another metal surface, such as between the piston rings and the inside of the cylinders. Second, one main purpose of engine oil is to cool the inside of the engine by the circulation of the oil. Too much heat will cause engine parts and bearings to get very hot, up to the point of melting or getting red hot metal parts, even. Either way, the engine will be quickly destroyed if enough oil is not poured in, even within a matter of minutes. There is still some oil left in the pan at the lowest point of the engine, however this may not be enough for the oil pump to suck up and distribute. If this happened to me, I would first drain out the rest of the old oil, then put new oil in and drive to the nearest garage for a regular oil and filter change. Flushing oil may be a good idea, as it removes a lot of old oil deposits from the engine. The engine should run only at idle speed for perhaps ten minutes while the flushing oil is at work. Then, the new oil should be poured in. For an older and worn engine and hotter weather, use perhaps single grade W 40 for safety.