Signs You Need an Oil Change

Signs You Need an Oil Change

As with any car related issue, it is also best to bring your car in to be checked out if you feel that something doesn’t seem right. With that said, we wanted to go over some of the top warning signs that you may need an oil change.

• Dark/Dirty Oil – Clean oil is generally a yellowish color when first added to the engine. After time, the oil begins to darken as it gets dirty. When checking the oil level, if you can’t see the stick through the oil, you know it is time to bring your car in for an oil change.

• Oil Change or Check Engine Light – If the oil light turns illuminates on your dash, it generally means that your engine is low on oil. It is best to check your engine oil levels manually if this is the case and then bring it in for an oil change. If the check engine light is on for this reason, it means that you are at risk of causing engine damage.

• Mileage – One of the easiest ways to keep an eye on when you need an oil change is to watch your odometer. When you are close to reaching the suggested mileage for an oil change (that was determined by Enjoying Mechanics or another professional), then you know it is time to bring your car in for another oil change.

• Excessive Engine Noise – Oil provides a protective layer between engine parts, avoiding metal-to-metal brushing and keeping the engine quiet. If your oil isn’t doing its job properly, the engine noise will increase.

• Exhaust Smoke – If you start to notice a large amount of smoke coming from your tailpipes, it may be a sign of either an oil leak or a faulty engine part. In this case, bring your car in to be checked out right away!

While it is important to be aware of some of these top warning signs, we will always send out oil change reminders and be here to answer any questions that you may have. Our number one goal is to keep your car running smoothly!