A regular oil change schedule is one of the most basic maintenance steps that any vehicle requires to run smoothly. However, because oil changes are relatively simple and are rarely required for months at a time, some drivers may postpone or overlook this chore.
Additionally, if your car ages, mileage increases, or you travel in more harsh weather, you may require more frequent oil changes. You may wait too long between oil changes, even if you’re perfectly on schedule, because the necessity for oil changes might fluctuate over time.
So, how can you know when it’s been too long since you changed your oil? In this blog, we’ll go through nine warning indications that you should take your car to an auto shop to have the oil changed.
Excess Vehicle Exhaust
Modern vehicles do not usually emit visible exhaust, so if you notice what appears to be smoke trailing behind your vehicle, it could signify a significant problem. Excess exhaust is usually a sign that the engine oil is too old to perform effectively.
Exhaust changes might also indicate engine issues such as damaged gaskets, so have this symptom looked out right away.
Falling Oil Level
Adding oil to your car on a regular basis will help you go longer between oil changes. If, on the other hand, your oil level appears to be dropping rapidly and consistently, your oil system has most certainly developed a problem.
In this case, further repairs may be required in addition to an oil change.
Increased Engine Noise
Your engine’s parts are lubricated by motor oil, which allows them to function together smoothly. You may hear the problem every time you drive if the oil gets thin, old, or badly textured.
When driving with low-quality oil, your engine may generate a banging noise while in motion. Other noises, like as ticking, can be caused by oil difficulties, as we’ll see in the last section.
Irregular Oil Texture
As oil passes through engines, it darkens, sometimes nearly instantly, so colour isn’t always a reliable indicator that it’s time for an oil change. Oil, on the other hand, can gather up microscopic particles of filth over time, making the liquid rough.
Check the consistency of your oil as you check the levels. You may need to replace your oil if it appears to have a lot of grit in it.
Low Oil Level
While you can top off between oil changes, you should keep an eye on the reservoir’s level. If you haven’t changed your oil in a long time, the oil levels may be significantly below the minimum.
If you observe a low oil level, get your car serviced as soon as possible. Especially in hot weather, driving with severely low oil levels can cause lasting engine damage and increase your chance of stalling or breaking down.
More Mileage than usual
If you’ve just returned from a long road trip or a long-distance business trip, you should get your automobile serviced straight away.
You might expect to need an oil change sooner than usual if you put significantly more miles on your automobile than usual.
Persistent ‘Check engine light’
The “check engine” light on your dashboard can illuminate for a variety of reasons. This is the light you’ll see if your automobile doesn’t have an oil change light or if your oil situation is dire.
A mechanic can read the light’s signal and determine whether you need an oil change to fix the problem.
Shaking while idling
When your engine’s oil has to be changed, the excessive amount of friction might degrade your ride quality. You may notice odd vibrations or shaking motions when your automobile is idling.
Idle as little as possible until your oil has to be replaced.
Ticking sounds when starting
When you start your car, the engine starts circulating oil right away. This operation may take longer and require more work if the engine oil has an inappropriate texture.
You may hear a ticking noise when your engine warms up in this circumstance. This noise is caused by valves that are trying to effectively transport the oil.
If you see any of the following warning signals, schedule an oil change as soon as possible to avoid damaging your vehicle’s engine. Discuss the needs of your car with a professional when you come in for an oil change to ensure that your next oil change happens on schedule.
