Engine oil is truly the lifeblood of your car, helping to keep the moving parts of your car well-lubricated and running smoothly, which means a smooth and safe drive for you. The thing about that is that type of responsibility puts pressure on the engine, and over time, you need to keep the engine oil fresh and replaced to keep that same level of function. Generally, your car’s manual will give you a recommendation on when you want to get an oil change done, but it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for any of the following signs.
Discolored or dark oil: Over time, engine oil will look darker and grittier when you check the dipstick. When it consistently has this appearance, you want to get your car services. Gunky oil isn’t going to do a very good job of lubricating the parts of your car’s engine.
Warning lights: This particularly applies if you have a newer car, as more and more cars have new sensors that are designed to detect when something goes awry from factory specifications. Depending on the model, there may either be a specific oil change light or a general check engine light that pops up on your dashboard.
Strange engine noises: Hearing some knocking or other odd noises from the engine? This may be a sign that your oil needs to be changed. It all goes back to the consistency of the oil. As it gets thicker and grittier, the engine will start to make some strange noises due to the lack of lubrication. In time, these odd noises may end up leading to mechanical failure, so be sure to act sooner rather than later. Overheating is another common indicator of these issues.
Oil smell: This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need an oil change, but you should still get your car serviced if you can smell oil from the inside of the cabin. Generally, this is a sign that there is a leak somewhere. Getting this leak fixed will ensure that the oil you put into your car doesn’t end up leaking out, leading to a lot of the other issues we’ve already talked about. Another sign that you may have an oil leak is excessive exhaust or liquid pooling up underneath the car.
If you’ve established that one or several of these issues is happening with your car, the next step is going to be getting your car to be serviced as soon as possible, but you have a few different options here. Distance or price may determine the best option, but one thing you want to consider is an Albuquerque auto repair business. This is especially useful because on top of getting your oil changed, the professionals here will also be able to take a full look at your car for other issues that may be going, but aren’t necessarily as easy to see. In addition, they’ll know the right type of motor oil that fits your car. This could save you a potentially expensive repair down the road.
