We all know that an engine needs oil to function properly, but how do you know when it’s time for a change? Oils are made up of many different chemicals and elements, from the base petroleum product to additives like detergents and dispersants. As these ingredients break down over time, they start to accumulate in your engine which can cause serious damage. In this blog post we will discuss the telltale signs that indicate an oil change is needed!
Your car’s engine is essentially a group of metal parts that are constantly in motion, rubbing against one another. As this movement occurs, friction creates heat which can damage your engine if it gets too hot. This is where the oil comes into play. The primary purpose of oil in an internal combustion engine like that found in cars and trucks is to provide a film between the piston, rings and cylinder walls. This way, when the pistons move up and down they do not come into direct contact with each other or the engine’s metal components. With this in mind, it makes sense that using lower quality oil can cause your car’s engine to wear down more rapidly than normal.
There are a number of different signs that indicate an oil change is needed for your car. These include:
One of the easiest ways to tell if you need an oil change is by checking your car’s dipstick or sight glass. If it has been a while since you have last changed your oil, the fluid on the dipstick can be very dark or black.
If you notice oil underneath your vehicle, there is a very good chance that an oil change is necessary.
A telltale sign that it’s time to change your car’s oil is if you notice that it has turned brown, black or even reddish in color.
If you hear unusual sounds emitting from under the hood of your car or truck, an oil change is probably needed. Loud, unusual noises are generally the result of dirt particles being mixed in with your car’s motor oil which can cause substantial damage to your engine over time.
A missing oil cap means that dirt and other foreign objects have likely entered into your vehicle’s engine through its open drain plug which can also cause severe engine damage.
The oil in your car’s engine acts as a lubricant which is used to prevent metal from rubbing against metal. When it becomes dirty or old over time, the oil can no longer properly lubricate your engine and cause it to stall more frequently.
Oil will break down over time due to high temperatures in the engine (known as thermal breakdown). US News and World Report explains that because of this, the oil isn’t capable of providing the necessary lubrication for metal parts after an extended period of use. Without lubrication, the moving joints in the engine will start rubbing against each other and cause premature wear. Oil also has a limited capacity on how much particulates it can hold. By not changing the oil, particles already in the oil will begin to settle and cause corrosion.
AAA explains that, depending on vehicle age, type of oil and driving conditions, oil change intervals will vary. It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! You cannot judge engine oil condition by color, so follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes.
If you are experiencing any of the issues listed above, it’s time to bring your car or truck down to one of our Scott’s Auto Repair locations where one of our friendly and professional technicians will be more than happy to change your oil for you. Call to let us know when to expect you or just stop on by!
