How To Know If It's Time For An Oil Change

Regular oil changes are essential for keeping and retaining your engine's good health when it comes to car maintenance. If you skip this, you could jeopardise your entire engine. The issue is that you might not realise that you need an oil change until you notice, hear, or smell something unusual. Here are six indicators that may suggest you need an oil change right away:

Strange Noises

Knocking sounds from the engine are a tell-tale sign that the engine oil level is steadily declining. Oil acts as a barrier between engine parts, preventing metal-to-metal scraping. Knocking occurs whenever the engine has not been well oiled. The sounds indicate that your engine is slowly tearing itself apart due to a lack of lubrication. It is caused by friction between engine parts and indicates that you should treat this as an emergency.

Engine Oil Lights ON

The most obvious indication that your car needs an oil change will be from the car itself. When there isn't enough oil left, your vehicle's oil light will turn on. Use the given dipstick to see what's going on. The worst-case scenario is that your check engine lights illuminate. It's your car's way of telling you that it has gotten to a point where the engine is at risk due to malfunctioning components or inadequate lubrication.

Oil Quality

Fresh engine oil is usually golden in color, but as time passes, it takes on darker hues due to engine dirt clogging it up. Usually, to check the oil, the dipstick in the oil reservoir is removed, wiped clean, and returned. When pulled out again, if the dipstick is barely visible due to the oil, the car needs an oil change. Although colour isn't always the best indicator. If the consistency is clear and liquidty, you are good, but if it's chunky and thick, it's time.

That Smell

Oil has another job apart from lubricating the engine for smooth functioning, which is to regulate the temperature. If there is a smell, it could be either a leak, which needs immediate repair, or your car is overheating, which means a job not well done.

Exhaust Smoke

Your car's exhaust always emits translucent vapor, but when it turns smoky black, it's time to get your engine checked. There could be a problem with your engine parts or it could be oil leakage.

Excess Mileage

If you have covered more distance in the last month, maybe you need that oil change. There is usually a 3000 mile or 3 month rule where whichever comes first, you change the oil then. Although it is best if you check the user manual for specific guidelines, since you may have a newer model or an older make.