Signs your car may be leaking oil

These are the oil-related signs and warnings the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual points to. Any of them is a reason to check the engine oil:

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Oil Pressure Warning Light (p. 142), Periodic Safety Checks: Fluid Leaks (p. 304) and Engine Oil (pp. 314-315), read November 11, 2026.

How to check for an oil leak

1. Start with the ground. After the vehicle has been parked overnight, look under it for oil or other fluid, as the Ram manual recommends.

2. Check the oil level the right way. On engines with a dipstick (the Ram 1500 3.6L and 5.7L), the manual says the best time is about five minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off, and that checking on level ground improves accuracy. Keep the level within the crosshatch markings. On the Ram 1500 3.0L engines there is no traditional dipstick; the oil level is shown in the instrument cluster under Vehicle Info, Oil Level.

3. Watch the trend. The manual says to check the oil at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. A level that keeps dropping between checks is worth having looked at.

4. Check the cap. After adding oil, the manual says to reinstall the oil cap securely by rotating it clockwise until it stops, and never to run the engine without the oil fill cap, as this could cause an oil leak. Be aware the cap may be hot; use suitable gloves.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Fluid Leaks (p. 304) and Engine Oil: Checking Oil Level (pp. 314-315), read November 11, 2026. Other vehicles differ; follow your own manual.

If the oil pressure light comes on

The Ram manual says the Oil Pressure Warning Light and a chime indicate low engine oil pressure. If they turn on while driving, safely stop the vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. After the vehicle is safely stopped, restart the engine and watch the light. If it is still on, turn the engine off and contact an authorized dealer; do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. If the light is no longer on, the engine can be operated, but the manual recommends taking the vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

The manual also notes that this light does not show how much oil is in the engine; the oil level must be checked under the hood.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Oil Pressure Warning Light (p. 142), read November 11, 2026.

Low oil is not always a leak

The Ram manual says a new engine may consume some oil during its first few thousand miles of operation, and that this is a normal part of break-in. It recommends checking the oil level often during the break-in period and adding oil as required.

It also says the 3.0L oil level system takes its readings only when the engine is off with warm oil and the vehicle is parked on reasonably level ground, so it cannot immediately detect a sudden drop in oil level while driving, for example if the oil pan starts to leak due to damage during an off-road event. Our advice: if you hit something under the vehicle, look for leaks.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Oil (pp. 314-315), read November 11, 2026.

What not to do

Do not overfill to make up for a leak. The manual cautions against adding too much oil: overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration or loss of oil pressure, which could damage the engine.

Do not rely on additives. The manufacturer strongly recommends against adding any additives to the engine oil other than leak detection dyes, because supplemental additives may impair the oil's performance.

Use the specified oil. The manual says not to use oils that are not manufacturer specified and API approved, and never to use non-detergent or straight mineral oil.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Oil (pp. 314-315) and Materials Added To Engine Oil (p. 317), read November 11, 2026.

Spills and used oil

When adding oil, the manual says to use care to minimize spillage onto the top of the engine, and to remove any excess fluid spilled there with compressed air or an absorbent cloth.

Used engine oil and oil filters contain substances that are harmful to the environment. The manual says to contact an authorized dealer, service station or governmental agency for advice on how and where they can be safely discarded in your area.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Engine Oil (pp. 314-315) and Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters (p. 317), read November 11, 2026.

Oil leak checks at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center

Seeing oil spots or adding oil often? Schedule service or see our service specials.

Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.