Changing oil is crucial to protect your engine and prolong its lifespan. This, in turn, helps you save money on gas and repairs. Engine oil is the most essential element of your engine, and it should be changed regularly for your vehicle’s efficient functionality. There are several signs that you must look out for to acknowledge the right timing to change your engine oil.
This article discusses the signs your engine shows for a lubrication upgrade. Hence, continue reading below to ensure the efficiency and longevity of your vehicle’s engine.
Signs Your Engine Needs A Lubrication Upgrade Today
How many miles can you travel before changing your engine oil once entirely depends on the age and type of your vehicle. However, you must know the right time for a lubrication upgrade. Listed below are the key signs informing you about immediate lubrication upgrades for the overall maintenance and functionality of your vehicle:
#1 Engine Noise
After a particular time, your engine oil tends to become dirty and old. This is the major reason why manufacturers advise you to change your engine oil every 5000 miles or more. If you continue using old oil in your vehicle, there is a higher chance of the oil becoming thicker and dirtier over time.
Furthermore, this even adds difficulty for the oil to lubricate the components of your engine effectively. Due to a lack of appropriate lubrication, the engine starts making different heavy noises. Hence, be sure to change the oil with a better option like 15w-40 engine oil, in such a condition as ignoring it might result in serious engine damage.
#2 Dark Oil
A clean oil has a bright amber color. However, used oil converts into an extremely darker shade, almost next to black, as it becomes dirty and old because of the buildup of dirt and residue particles present in the engine.
You must make a regular habit of checking your oil condition. All you need to do is use your oil dipstick out of the bottle and analyze the color of the oil. For more accurate results, wipe the end of your dipstick on a white towel. If the color of the oil is black or dark brown, it must be changed immediately.
#3 Exhaust Smoke
If you reside in cold regions, you will likely see vapour coming from your vehicle’s tailpipe. If you notice grey or dark smoke coming from your exhaust, there is a higher chance of an oil leak in your vehicle. A burnt oil smell further accompanies this. The smoke is generated because of inefficient oil in your engine to lubricate the engine parts efficiently due to the leakage. Hence, ensure to check the oil leakage and take necessary actions immediately.
#4 Overheating
If your engine lacks enough oil or oil replacement in a while, efficient lubrication of the components will not be possible. Hence, your vehicle’s engine will heat up more frequently due to overheating. It might even get damaged. Therefore, be sure to replace or change your car motor oil with new top-quality oil to solve the issue.
#5 Hassle in Starting the Engine
If you face trouble while starting the engine of your vehicle, you must immediately inspect the connections on your battery for any corrosion and clean them using a wire brush. However, if your battery is quite cold, you must replace it.
#6 Warning Indications
Today’s vehicles come with sensors and computers, which makes it easy to detect any problems before they get worse. If the indicators present on your dashboard are illuminated, refer to the manufacturer’s manual to learn what they indicate. These warning lights give you alerts on multiple issues, such as transmission problems, low battery, a burnout of the light and much more.
Conclusion
You might prefer postponing or skipping the oil change for your vehicle, but remember it is essential. Regular oil changing improves the gas mileage of your vehicle, reduces harmful emissions, promotes better engine performance, and elongates the lifespan of your engine. By referring to the signs mentioned above, you can know the right time to upgrade the lubrication of your vehicle’s engine. Even if you are not sure about changing the oil, you must prefer to get one. As there comes no downside to replacing the oil, it is safer to stay prepared.
