Driving for 10 minutes with insufficient engine oil carries a high risk. While short-term operation may not immediately cause complete engine damage, it will significantly accelerate the wear of internal components. The primary functions of engine oil include lubrication, cooling, cleaning, and sealing. If the engine oil is nearly depleted, the oil pump may fail to maintain proper oil circulation, potentially causing irreversible damage like bearing seizure or piston welding within minutes, with repair costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of ringgit. It is advised to shut off the engine immediately and replenish oil to the proper level when low oil is detected. Conducting monthly oil level checks (using the dipstick when the engine is cold) can prevent such issues. Vehicles with over 80,000 kilometres should have more frequent inspections, as aging engines tend to exhibit increased oil consumption.
