Introduction. During the operation of heavy-duty diesel equipment in areas with a low-temperature climate, engine oils are contaminated by coolant and water. The ingress of these substances into the lubricant leads to a deterioration in its quality indicators, which subsequently leads to problems in the nodes of the internal combustion engine.Relevance. The deterioration of the values of engine oil quality indicators is directly related to the presence of water and coolant in it. It is not always possible to objectively track the ways of leakage of these pollutants, and this, in turn, leads to serious consequences in the form of wear of the contacting surfaces of engine parts, corrosion. It is also important to evaluate the resource of lubricant additive packages due to its dilution with water and antifreeze.Materials and methods. This paper presents the results of a literature review aimed at studying the ways of coolant and water ingress during the operation of diesel engines, their influence on the physical and chemical properties of motor oils. The brief information about the composition of the coolant is indicated.Conclusions. The ingress of water and coolant into the engine oil leads to an increase in the kinematic viscosity of the lubricant, as well as to the formation of deposits on the surfaces of the engine friction pairs. In addition, spherical compounds appear in the crankcase of the engine, which are a combination of destroyed additive packages and glycol. Oil change intervals must be monitored at an increased rate of water and coolant entering the engine oil.Scope of the study / possibility. This type of study will help to determine the causes of penetration of water and coolant into the crankcase space, to understand the consequences of using engine oil contaminated with water and coolant.Originality / value. The conducted research can be the basis for the development of recommendations for improving the maintenance of internal combustion engines for enterprises that have at their disposal cars with diesel engines in order to increase the resource of power units and reduce operating costs.