Posted on 5/30/2025

It’s easy to shrug off a few drops of oil on the driveway. Maybe it’s just a worn gasket or an old seal—nothing major, right? While small oil leaks often don’t seem urgent, they can quickly become a bigger deal than many drivers expect. An occasional drip today might turn into a steady leak tomorrow, and before you know it, you’re topping off the oil every few days or worse—dealing with engine damage. So, are small oil leaks really that serious? Let’s take a closer look. Why Your Is Leaking Oil Oil leaks can develop from several common places. Valve cover gaskets, oil pans, crankshaft seals, and timing covers are all areas that can wear down over time. Age, heat, and vibration eventually cause the rubber seals and gaskets to lose flexibility and start leaking. Sometimes it’s as simple as a loose drain plug or a degraded oil filter gasket after an oil change. You might notice a small spot on the garage floor, a faint b ... read more