The oil pan is a metal container mounted to the bottom of the engine block. Its main job is to store the engine oil that keeps all the moving parts inside the engine lubricated. As oil circulates through the engine, it eventually drains back down into the oil pan, where it's collected and cooled before being cycled again by the oil pump. The oil pan also includes a drain plug that mechanics use to remove old oil during an oil change.
Since the oil pan sits at the very bottom of the engine, it’s vulnerable to damage from road debris or scraping over speed bumps—especially in low-clearance cars. A cracked or dented oil pan can lead to leaks, which may cause low oil levels and serious engine damage if not caught in time. In most cases, oil pan issues are fixable, but sometimes a full replacement is needed. Pro tip: if you ever notice oil spots under your parked car, check the oil pan first. Fun fact: some performance cars use baffled oil pans to prevent oil from sloshing around during hard cornering or acceleration.