3 Warning Signs That it’s Time for an Oil Change
If you haven’t been following your car’s ownership manual, you might be long overdue for an oil change, especially if you notice these three things.
When was the last time your car got an oil change? From preventing corrosion to helping a vehicle stay cool, the engine in a car has many functions. Although getting an oil change is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to help prolong the lifespan of a vehicle, most people don’t change their oil as frequently as they should. If you haven’t been following your car’s ownership manual, you might be long overdue for an oil change, especially if you notice these three things:
- 1. Weird Noises Coming from the Engine
If you listen your vehicle’s engine and hear a pinging, clicking, clapping, knocking or any kind of unusual sound arising from under the hood, it’s a sign that your engine’s rods are knocking together. Damaged rods in your engine are expensive to repair, and if left for too long, your engine could burn out completely. Replacing old oil in your engine with fresh oil will provide lubrication that will help reduce friction between these rods.
Any noise that you hear coming from your engine is a sign that it’s experiencing low pressure, which could cause serious engine malfunctions. To prevent any further damage from occurring, it’s never a bad idea to take your car into a mechanic as soon as possible.
- 2. The Oil in Your Car is Black
Fresh, clean oil is typically a honey brown colour, but after some time in the engine, the oil will change to a dark and mucky colour. You can check to see the colour of your engine oil by going under the roof of the car and pulling out the dipstick (the long rod that goes deep into your engine to check the oil level). If you notice that there are dark particles floating around in the oil, this means that it’s time for an oil change. If it’s black, this is a warning sign that you need to get your oil changed immediately – waiting could do some serious damage on your vehicle.
Ensure that your car has been off for at least 10 minutes to let the engine cool off before you check!
- 3. You Smell Burning Oil
If you smell a thick, pungent odor from the inside of your car, there’s a good chance that your engine has something to do with it. This scent is typically associated with either low oil levels, an overheated engine or it could mean that you have a leak. You might also smell gasoline, which is a safety hazard and a sign that you should bring your car into a local mechanic as soon as possible.
The frequency in which your oil should be changed depends on several factors, so it’s always important to check back with the car’s ownership manual. If you choose to disregard getting your oil changed, your car could lack in performance, and you might have to pay for expensive car parts that have been damaged in the future. Something as routine as an oil change is easy to forget, but if you keep a schedule and watch out for these warning signs, you’ll save a lot of money on vehicle repairs down the road.
