3 Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change
An oil change not only improves the performance of your car but also keeps your engine in good shape. If you don't change your oil on time, you might incur costly repairs or even be forced to replace your engine.
While mileage is an important gauge for when you need an oil change, it's not the only factor you should consider. Here are other key signs you should watch out for:
Change in Oil Color
New, clean oil is typically amber in color. However, oil can be very dark and still be normal. Some types of oils may darken quickly due to additives. Therefore, you need to check whether a change in your oil's color could be a symptom of a much deeper problem.
For instance, if it's been several months since you changed the engine oil, a deep dark color should probably be a cause for concern. If your oil is dark and thick, it could be infiltrated with dirt or other contaminants.
If your oil is milky or cream in color, that could be a sign of a coolant leak. A milky color could also be an indicator of water contamination. You need to call an auto expert who can quickly address the problem.
Weird Noise from Your Engine
Motor oil lubricates the moving parts of your car engine and protects them from friction. Oil also cleans dirt deposits on the surface of these moving parts. Therefore, if the oil is contaminated, it will affect the engine's lubrication and overall functionality.
Moreover, old or contaminated oil burns unevenly in your engine's cylinders. Hence, the engine will struggle to work effectively. You're likely to hear a light tapping or knocking sound with poor engine lubrication. The sounds are a sign that your engine is gradually tearing itself apart due to insufficient lubrication.
Oil Level Falls Abnormally
If your oil levels seem to fall a lot quicker than usual, then your car's oil system has an underlying problem. In such a case, you should first rule out any leaks. If there's no obvious leak, the issue is quite likely due to low oil pressure in the engine. Remember that the engine needs optimum oil pressure to function properly.
Low oil pressure can be due to many reasons, including high or low oil viscosity. Low viscosity leads to less resistance to flow through the engine system. The low or high viscosity can be due to fuel dilution or using the wrong lubricant. In such a case, your auto expert may suggest a full oil replacement to fill the engine with the right oil type.
