Signs You are Overdue for an Oil Change

Quality engine oil is vital for every automobile. This oil helps lubricate the different parts of the engine and its passages for an optimally working automobile. This oil also cleans the dirt and debris inside the car engine. Hence, the car engine oil quality degrades over time. One of the elemental pointers in preventive automobile maintenance is to change your engine oil at routine intervals. If you fail to change the car oil at the correct time, your car will start emitting telltale signs. Let us learn about these symptoms.

Warning lights

Modern automobiles have light indicators. These indicators remind car drivers and the owners about the maintenance pointers they are missing out on. If you are not aware of these light indicators, you can visit your auto repair Wentzville MO, and ask them about such light indicators in your car. Once you are aware of these lights, you can keep a check on your car maintenance schedule. Some vehicles have an indicator that tells the owner or driver that it is already time for an oil check. Further, some warning lights tell that it is time to service the car engine.

Noises from the engine

As the oil gets older, its lubricating qualities diminish. As a result, you get more engine noise. The metal-on-metal contact noises become louder, and you can get all sorts of noises like ticking sounds and knocking vibrations. In some cases, the noises can be loud, like roaring and grinding sounds.

Functional issues

The engine oil in a car lubricates and cleans the engine. Hence, as the oil ages and loses its properties, the signs will show in the car’s operations. Expert auto body repair shops near me will tell you that common symptoms and problems include:

• Low fuel efficiency: Since the engine oil becomes old and loses its protective and cleaning properties, the engine has to work harder to move the car. As a result, the car engine demands more fuel. With time, old oil can lead to a reduction in miles per gallon (MPG. This makes the car fuel inefficient.
• Low engine power: One of the telltale signs of old engine oil is a reduction in engine power. The engine oil helps to make the engine optimally functional. If your oil is old and not up to the mark, it can make the engine low and sluggish.
• Overheating in the car engine: Engine oil also helps in dissipating heat and keeps the car engine cool even after a long drive or in a hot climate. However as your oil ages it can lose the cooling effect which can lead to car engine overheating.

Oil colour, texture, and smell

Some other attributes that indicate an aging oil are a dark colour and a gritty texture. Fresh car engine oil has an amber colour and is of a clear texture. However, as the oil ages and it collects contaminants and debris from the car engine, the oil texture becomes gritty and colour darkens gradually. These are signs that your car engine oil is due for a change, and you must take it to a reputable automotive repair shop near you. Further, as the oil ages, you may receive a burning smell either at the exhaust or from inside the car, which can be a result of overheating or leaks.

Other signs and symptoms

Your car can show other signs and symptoms that it is now time for an oil change:

• Low oil level: Check your oil levels regularly with a dipstick. A low oil level indicates either a leakage or excessive oil consumption. Low oil level is a sign that it is time for an oil change.
• Exhaust smoke: grey or bluish smoke from the exhaust is also a sign that engine oil is burning. Exhaust smoke occurs when the engine oil is aging and it becomes thinner, or there is a leakage.
• Unfamiliar vibrations: Unfamiliar and abnormal vibrations are another symptom that your car engine awaits a change.