When you drive a car for a long time, you may notice black oil stains on the ground where you parked.

Most of these stains are often signs of engine oil leaking out little by little.

In discussions within the American automotive community about "cars that frequently experience engine oil leaks," several brands tend to come up repeatedly.

The first is BMW. Older models of BMW are often mentioned as having leaks.

The second is Audi and Volkswagen. Particularly in turbo engine models, there are many cases of leaks due to oil seals or gasket issues.

The third is Jeep. Some models have reported leaks from the oil pan or engine gasket.

The fourth is older Ford SUV models. Of course, the condition of maintenance can vary.

My car is a 2011 Ford Explorer, and I've started to see oil stains where I parked.

"Is this an urgent issue that needs fixing, or can I just keep driving it?"

To get straight to the point, when engine oil is leaking, it often starts as a minor issue.

However, if left unattended, it can eventually lead to bigger problems.

There are several reasons why engine oil leaks occur in cars.

The most common cause is the aging of gaskets or seals. There are rubber components that seal the connections between various parts of the engine. As the car ages, these rubbers can harden or crack, causing oil to start leaking little by little.

Another common cause is leaks around the oil filter. If the filter is not tightened properly during an oil change, or if an old filter starts to leak, this can also happen. This issue is often relatively easy to resolve.

So, how much leakage is considered a serious problem? Generally, mechanics say the following:

The first is a small drop level, where a tiny spot appears on the ground. If, after parking for a day, you see a coin-sized stain on the ground, this is usually referred to as a "minor leak." It's not immediately dangerous for driving. However, since it could worsen over time, it's advisable to check the cause.

The second is a noticeable oil mark on the ground. For example, if you park the car and a palm-sized stain appears after a few hours, this level of leakage may indicate a more significant issue. In this case, it's best to have it checked at a repair shop.

The third is when you smell oil while driving or see the engine oil warning light come on. This stage can be quite serious. If oil is leaking rapidly, it can lead to inadequate lubrication inside the engine, resulting in engine damage.

In my case, I'm currently closer to the first situation. There are just a few small oil drops visible on the ground where I parked. It's not to the extent of creating a large stain in a day. In such cases, mechanics usually say, "It's not urgent enough to stop driving, but it's good to check the cause."

When a car gets older, such small leaks are quite common. Especially, leaks often occur from the valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket. Repair costs can vary significantly depending on the problematic area. A simple gasket replacement can sometimes be resolved for a few hundred dollars, but if the location makes the job complicated, costs can increase.

So realistically, many people manage it this way.

First, they frequently check the engine oil level.
Second, they check the size of the stains on the ground after parking.
Third, they regularly change the oil while checking for leaks.

Especially for older cars, checking the oil level is crucial. If leaks continue little by little, the oil can significantly decrease over a few months.

Another point to note is to check whether the oil dripping on the ground is engine oil or another type of oil.

Engine oil is usually brown or black and has viscosity. In contrast, transmission oil is often red. Coolant can be green or pink. You can distinguish them to some extent by color.

In summary, just because a little engine oil is dripping under the car doesn't mean there's an immediate major failure. However, even small leaks can eventually become bigger problems. Especially for vehicles over ten years old, the likelihood of gaskets or seals aging is high.

Anyway, I'm relieved that the few drops falling now aren't enough to prevent me from driving.

Next time I change the oil, I plan to ask the repair shop to check for engine oil leaks.