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.

What does burning the oil mean?

To stay awake late at night to work or study: “Jill has been burning the midnight oil lately; I guess she has a big exam coming up.”

Why am I losing oil but no leaks?

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.