An oil change is essential for keeping your car’s engine functioning smoothly. According to Mycarneedsa.com, experts recommend that oil should be changed every 3,000 miles for short trips or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for highway driving. With that being said, many drivers depend exclusively on mileage to determine when their oil needs to be changed, even though there are other indicators. The following are three signs that it’s time for an oil change.
Sign #1: Your Oil Change Light Comes On
Modern vehicles have the benefit of notifying you when there is a problem. If the oil indicator on the dashboard activates, though, the damage may already be inflicted. The oil light rarely appears when an oil change is due, but rather after the oil in your system has almost dried up. Your car’s oil change light is a warning that the oil in your car system has become so low that the engine is in danger of being damaged. Ensure you seek expert help as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage.
Sign #2: The Oil Becomes Dark and Gritty
The color of clean oil is usually light brown and somewhat transparent. It becomes filled with pollutants gathered from the engine and darkens as it is utilized. When this starts to happen, it will be difficult to notice, so be careful and check your engine oil once a month. It’s usually time for an oil change if the dipstick in your oil tank isn’t visible through the oil.
Sign #3: Your Engine Generates Knocking Noises
It’s easy to notice when your car generates an odd sound when you drive every day. The oil acts as a barrier between engine parts, preventing metal-to-metal friction and keeping the engine running quietly. If you haven’t changed the oil in a while, your engine will hesitate to start. Your engine’s metal components will also grind against each other when old oil becomes thick and sludge-like. As a result of the friction, your engine will make loud, odd sounds. These knocking sounds indicate that your engine is breaking itself apart bit by bit due to a lack of oil and that an oil change is overdue.
If your car overheats, skipping oil changes can transform a regular journey into a disastrous one. If you observe any of the aforementioned indicators, contact us right away to schedule an oil change.