The engine lubrication system requires a large volume of oil. This supply of oil (typically one to two gallons) is contained in the oil pan.

The oil pan—made of stamped steel or aluminum casting—is mounted at a low point in the engine configuration where oil naturally accumulates. The oil pan gasket provides a seal at the attachment between the engine block and the oil pan. The oil pan gasket can be the common cork/composite type, an elastic O-ring design, or the increasingly common silicone-type sealant that is applied during engine assembly.

Due to its location in the vehicle, the oil pan is vulnerable to damage caused by curbs, debris, and off-road excursions.

Mechanics' Corner: More Technical Detail

Mounting the oil pan at the low point in the engine configuration is known as a "wet sump." A technically superior design that eliminates the oil pan altogether is known as a "dry sump." The dry sump is ideal since it uses a physically separate, dedicated tank that holds a much larger volume of oil.

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