Burning oil is often the result of worn out parts. For example, worn valve seals and/or piston rings could lead to your car burning oil. Both valve seals and piston rings work to keep engine oil out of the combustion chamber.

Is it bad to drive a car that burns oil?

Your car can run for a while if it's burning oil, as long as you keep adding engine oil when it gets low. There are, however, issues that will come up. ... Excessive oil in the exhaust can cause your catalytic converter to overheat or fail. Low engine oil can cause a blown motor or seized engine.

Why is my car losing oil but no leak?

When a car mysteriously loses oil, there are usually two possible causes: either you've sprung a leak, or your engine is burning it away. ... But if you have to add a quart or more of oil to your engine between changes and there's no leak to be found, chances are your vehicle's burning oil.