Your car engine will continue to run even if it has very little oil in it. However, eventually, the oil will run out and your engine will start to function less efficiently. The moving parts will no longer have a fluid barrier between them. They will start to rub against each other at high speed producing plenty of heat. Parts may start to break down due to the friction alone or because of high temperatures. Your engine will stop working, which can cost you plenty of money and time to repair.

You don't have to wait for problems with the engine to tell you that you need oil. Instead, pay attention to the following signs and you can provide solutions that are inexpensive and relatively easy to implement.

• The engine knocks. If your camshafts and valvetrain don't have enough lubrication, your crankshaft bearings can fail and produce a knocking sound. The noise can also be heard due to an imbalance crankshaft or if the flex plate of the flywheel has cracks.

• The Oil Pressure Warning Light comes on. This is the most common indication that your oil level is low. Fortunately, the simple solution is to add more oil. If the light remains on even after you do that, you may have a leak, which will require either the repair or replacement of a hose or two.

• You smell a burning odor. Without enough oil, engine components will start to rub against each other and produce excess heat. Any oil that is left will start to burn up, producing the motor that you smell. The aroma is strong enough for you to notice even inside the passenger cabin.

• Smoke appears under the hood. The excess friction and heat produced by the lack of oil can overheat your engine and show smoke coming from under the hood.

If you experience any of the symptoms of low oil level, do the following.

1. Look for a safe place to pull over and park. You do not want to keep driving or you will increase the damage that is happening to your engine. If you're in the middle of heavy traffic during the rush hour, you don't want your engine to suddenly die, which will make the situation more hazardous for you and other drivers.

2. Turn off the engine, which will prevent the unlubricated parts from rubbing against each other and producing heat. Give the engine some time to cool, so you can look at it without burning yourself.

3. Open the hood and look for the dipstick. If you don't know where this is located, your owners manual can tell you. Pull out the dipstick from its container and wipe off the end. Then reinsert it and pull it out again. If the oil level is between minimum and maximum, you can still drive your car to a service center for an oil change. If the oil level is below the minimum, call a tow truck to tow your car to where it can be fixed.

The easiest way to avoid any problems related to oil is to take your vehicle in for regular oil changes. In the old days, you needed to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. But modern lubricants now recommend oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Some engines that require full synthetic motor oil can go as far as 15,000 miles before a change.

If you want more information on how oil affects the functioning of your vehicle, need an oil change, or want to address some damage from lack of oil, take your car to the Service Department at Giant Cadillac. Our factory-trained automotive technicians specialize in your brand. They can address any problems using only components that are approved by the manufacturer.