Do You Know How to Tell If Engine Oil is Bad?
Even though oil changes are a simple service, if not performed on a regular basis, your vehicle will end up suffering the symptoms of an overdue oil change. Regular oil changes help to extend your engine’s longevity and enhance its overall performance. Fresh, clean oil optimizes your vehicle’s performance by lubricating parts and keeping the engine clean and healthy.
Unfortunately, many drivers rely on the mileage interval rather than warning signs to let them know when it’s time to schedule an oil change service. Over time, the oil breaks down and has difficulty performing its job. Once this starts, your car may start to exhibit one or more of these five oil change warning signs:
- Dark and Dirty Oil -- Clean oil is an amber color, but after a while, it darkens and gets dirty from the particles it collects from the engine. If you can see the stick through the oil, it is fine. However, if it’s thick and dark, it’s time for an oil change.
- Loud Noise and Knocking -- Clean oil provides a thin barrier between engine parts and protects against metal-on-metal contact. When the oil starts to break down, it loses its effectiveness in lubricating so you will start to hear louder noises coming from the engine, such as knocking, rumbling, and even roaring.
- Oil Change or Check Engine Light -- An illuminated oil change light on the dashboard indicates that there’s too little oil in the system. Check your oil level immediately. If it’s too low, change your oil as soon as possible. Your vehicle is at high risk of engine damage due to the lack of oil.
- Exhaust Smoke – In cold temperatures, it’s common to see a translucent vapor coming from the muffler. However, if you see smoke, there could be an oil leak or faulty parts in the engine. To pinpoint a pending problem, ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test.
- Oil Smell Inside the Car -- If the smell of oil is strong inside your car, it means there’s a leak. If the smell is mixed with the smell of gas or exhaust fumes, it indicates that your vehicle is overheating and oil is burning in the exhaust area. An overheating engine can cause serious damage to your car or even start a fire.
Keep up with routine oil changes and you can keep your car healthy and extend its life, preventing excessive wear and tear and damage. Although oil changes are fairly inexpensive, many auto shops offer oil change coupons so that customers will be sure to take care of oil changes as needed.
Do you need to know more about how to tell if engine oil is bad? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair to ask about our oil change coupons and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Even though oil changes are a simple service, if not performed on a regular basis, your vehicle will end up suffering the symptoms of an overdue oil change. Regular oil changes help to extend your engine’s longevity and enhance its overall performance. Fresh, clean oil optimizes your vehicle’s performance by lubricating parts and keeping the engine clean and healthy.
Unfortunately, many drivers rely on the mileage interval rather than warning signs to let them know when it’s time to schedule an oil change service. Over time, the oil breaks down and has difficulty performing its job. Once this starts, your car may start to exhibit one or more of these five oil change warning signs:
- Dark and Dirty Oil -- Clean oil is an amber color, but after a while, it darkens and gets dirty from the particles it collects from the engine. If you can see the stick through the oil, it is fine. However, if it’s thick and dark, it’s time for an oil change.
- Loud Noise and Knocking -- Clean oil provides a thin barrier between engine parts and protects against metal-on-metal contact. When the oil starts to break down, it loses its effectiveness in lubricating so you will start to hear louder noises coming from the engine, such as knocking, rumbling, and even roaring.
- Oil Change or Check Engine Light -- An illuminated oil change light on the dashboard indicates that there’s too little oil in the system. Check your oil level immediately. If it’s too low, change your oil as soon as possible. Your vehicle is at high risk of engine damage due to the lack of oil.
- Exhaust Smoke – In cold temperatures, it’s common to see a translucent vapor coming from the muffler. However, if you see smoke, there could be an oil leak or faulty parts in the engine. To pinpoint a pending problem, ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic test.
- Oil Smell Inside the Car -- If the smell of oil is strong inside your car, it means there’s a leak. If the smell is mixed with the smell of gas or exhaust fumes, it indicates that your vehicle is overheating and oil is burning in the exhaust area. An overheating engine can cause serious damage to your car or even start a fire.
Keep up with routine oil changes and you can keep your car healthy and extend its life, preventing excessive wear and tear and damage. Although oil changes are fairly inexpensive, many auto shops offer oil change coupons so that customers will be sure to take care of oil changes as needed.
Do you need to know more about how to tell if engine oil is bad? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair to ask about our oil change coupons and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
