Top 11 Signs that Your Car Needs an Oil Change
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Top 11 Signs that Your Car Needs an Oil Change
Engine oil is very important for the perfect working of the car. It is a thick fluid that lubricates the car's engine. It is as important as the blood is for your body. Our body regenerates blood cells over time, but car engines cannot do the same. your car needs your attention more than you can imagine. It needs constant maintenance and frequent oil change. The thickness and type of oil are different for different vehicles. Some vehicles now require a thinner oil. You get the option to either use mineral oil or synthetic oil. Synthetic oil lasts much longer than mineral oil.
Why should I change my Engine Oil?
If you do not change your engine's oil on time, you might face a lot of problems. Your car will start consuming more fuel, making weird noises, and overheating from time to time. You might even end up facing serious damage to the car's engine.
What is Oil Viscosity?
Oil viscosity is a term that is used to refer to the ability of the oil to lubricate your engine. With the passage of time, the oil starts to lose its viscosity. Once the viscosity is lost, you start facing problems.
Signs
There are many signs, warnings, and symptoms that can tell you that you need to change the oil. You need to be aware of them in order to be able to deal with the problem. We have prepared a list that you can go through to full get the idea.
1. Check Oil Sticker
When you get your oil changed from a service station, they often put a sticker on your car. The sticker has a date mentioned on it. The date can give you an idea about how long it has been since you changed the oil last time. The sticker may also contain information related to the mileage. IT would tell you when to return for the next oil change.
2. Dark and Dirty Oil
New oil is light gold in color. After extensive use, the oil changes its color and becomes darker than usual. The heat and debris cause the oil to change its color. To check the color of the oil, you can use a dipstick. If the color is too dark, you need to change the oil.
3. Bluish Smoke
Blue exhaust smoke means that the oil is leaking from the car's engine. It can also mean that your engine is burning oil. This can happen if the oil is leaking and getting mixed with the fuel. If you see the blue smoke, it is time to call a technician. It is an indicator of serious damage. Ignoring it can lead to many problems including the total breakdown of your car.
4. Noisy Engine
Engines often make noises and start to knock when oil is no longer viscous. Unlubricated parts of the engine make a lot of noise when they come in direct contact with each other. This knocking is not only annoying but also a sign of danger. Your engine can get seriously damaged in the absence of oil.
5. You Smell Oil
There is one thing that we all know, there should not be any smell of oil inside the vehicle. The smell of oil means that the oil is leaking onto the hot part of the engine. The leakage can happen because of a loose oil plug, damaged oil filter, damaged valve cover gasket, head gasket leak, and a damaged front or great main seal.
6. Oil Check Light is On
Your dashboard is the best assistant you can get while driving the car. There are a number of signs and lights on the dashboard that tell you when something is wrong. If the oil check light on your dashboard is on, then it means your car needs oil. The sign looks like a car with a drop of oil dripping from it. It is the easiest way to know when the oil is needed.
7. Oil Change Reminder Light
Oil change light has the same purpose as the oil check light. It does not light up only when the level of oil is low. This sign can light up after covering a certain mileage point. It acts as a reminder. You should ask your mechanic to reset this light every time you get your oil changed.
8. Check with Oil Dipstick
The dipstick can come in handy in a lot of situations. Not only can you check the color of the oil, but you can also check its level. If the level is too low, get it refilled. This way you will be able to avoid a lot of problems. You should use the dipstick to check the condition of the oil at least once a month.
9. Excessive Mileage
If you are used to traveling to faraway places, then your car needs more maintenance. You should change your car's oil after coming back from a long journey. This is because the car's engine has to do a lot to keep the car going for hours. During this time, the oil degrades more quickly. The high temperature and debris darken its color and the oil loses all its viscosity. Frequently changing the oil will save your engine from breaking down all of a sudden.
10. Engine Stalling
Many new vehicles come with this fail-safe feature that shuts down the engine when it is in a bad condition. Extremely low oil pressure can also force the car to shut down. The stalling saves the car from anticipated damage. However, stalling puts a lot of pressure on the engine. The pistons, head, or other parts of the engine may get damaged during this process. So, it is better to avoid such a situation at all costs.
11. Overheating
Overheating is another sign that your car needs oil. Many people think that the car only heats up when the coolant is low, but that is not true. Low oil levels can also trigger overheating. When oil is low, the coolant alone fails to cool down the vehicle.
If your car continues to stall and overheat even after you have done everything, then perhaps it is now time to buy a new vehicle. New cars are often too expensive. You can buy a used car with low mileage and at an affordable price directly from the Japanese auction houses. USS Inc Japan (usstokyo) can make it possible to join the online car auctions from the comfort of your home. All you need is to place the bid and pay the balance amount. We will take care of the rest of the work including inspection, documentation, and shipping. You can visit our website for more details.
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