Petrol and diesel drivers have been warned that neglecting one simple check could have devastating consequences on vital car components.
Leading mechanic Scotty Kilmer stressed that a lack of oil will cause seals to “wear out”, leading to serious issues such as leaks.
The expert confirmed changing oil regularly is likely to help seals last longer and prevent immediate problems.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty said: “All kinds of parts on your car have oil seals, your engine oil seals, your transmission oil seals, your valve cover gasket that seals oil.
“Now over time any seal will wear out but you want to make them last as long as possible.
“So change your oil regularly, dirty oil is like friction and the friction will eat up the seals.
“And anytime you have maintenance on your car like adjusting the valves, make sure you put new gaskets in.
“Don’t use the old ones over, they are old, they are worn, put new ones in.
“And as a great tip, say you’re changing a valve cover gasket, buy the new silicone gaskets they last four to five times as long.”
According to BookMyGarage, low oil levels are one of the main causes of rear main seal oil leaks.
They explained: “When an engine runs on low oil levels various components are starved of oil and lubrication.
“This results in more friction and heat inside the engine which then takes a toll on the rubber seal causing it to wear down and leak.
“Low oil levels can also cause a number of other issues, like worn main beatings. So it is essential to keep your engine oil topped up.”
Failure of the rear main seal can have dramatic consequences which could have a major impact on road users.
They warn that the seal can cause a “fast oil leak” which could quickly drain the reservoir.
This could lead to “severe internal engine failures and expensive repairs” in a blow to motorists.
Usually, drivers can diagnose a failing rear seal with three simple tell-tale signs.
Firstly, an oil leak is the easiest sign, followed by a low oil warning light from constant oil loss over a prolonged period of time.
Lastly, the presence of oil stains on a driveway could also be an indication of a serious issue.
