Can I drive by car with an oil leak?

2007 HYUNDAI AZERA
162,075 MILES • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ARMY8
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Four days ago my car started to leak oil on to the exhaust and making the car smell like burnt oil and smokey. I was wondering is it safe to drive short distances with it?
Feb 18, 2021 at 11:25 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,295 POSTS
The answer is "maybe", leaking oil that hits the exhaust could start burning and cause an under hood fire that could destroy the car. The best thing would be to determine what is leaking and repair it before taking chances. To find the leak you can start by looking above the oil burning area, then if it's not readily visible you can use a rag to wipe off any dirt and oil. Then start the engine and see if you can spot the leak. From there it may be a simple repair, or not, depending on what the leak actually is.
Feb 18, 2021 at 11:47 PM
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