Engine oil is the lifeblood of any car. Your car`s engine needs oil to keep all of the moving components lubricated and operating smoothly. Engines of all kinds need oil to function, whether it`s in a car, motorcycle, generator or something else. If the product has an engine, then oil is going to be essential to keep it running. Your car`s engine is filled with parts that are moving constantly and rubbing together when you are driving. This creates friction and heat. Oil flowing through these moving parts allows the engine parts to avoid overheating by absorbing the heat. Oil that`s in good condition will accomplish this task, while old oil is likely to not be as effective and will usually need to be replaced. The good news is that if your car is in need of an oil change, it will usually have symptoms that are easy to recognize.
Oil is Dirty or Dark:
If you have seen new and clean motor engine oil before then you will have seen that it is usually a bright amber color. However, as the oil gets dirty and old from the build-up of residue that it picks up as it moves around the engine, it will usually turn into a darker color – almost black.
It`s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your oil to see the condition that it is in on a regular basis. All you need to do is take the oil dipstick out of the engine to see what color the oil on it is. Or, wipe the end of the dipstick with a paper towel.
If the oil is black or dark brown, it will usually need changing. Campanellas oil service can help with this. Campenellas offer professional oil changing services including draining your car of any old oil to ensure that it is running smoothly and stays in good condition.
Burnt Oil Smell:
If you have noticed that the interior of your vehicle is beginning to smell like burnt oil when you are driving, this is a key indicator that something is wrong. Most of the time, it is a sign that your car has an oil leak somewhere which is causing the oil to drip onto hot parts of the engine.
In addition, it can be a sign that your engine is running low on oil, which is causing it to overheat. It`s important to make sure that the oil leak is repaired immediately and that the oil in your car is changed.
Tapping and Ticking Noises:
Engine oil will become old and worn over time, which is why car manufacturers recommend that you change the engine oil after around every five thousand miles. If your car is still running with old oil in the engine, then chances are that it is simply getting thicker and dirtier each time you drive.
As a result, it will become much more difficult for the oil in your car to correctly and effectively lubricate the components of the engine. Your engine will then begin to make various noises due to the metal on metal that is not getting properly lubricated. Changing the oil is essential if you have noticed this, since it could result in serious damage to the engine.
Car Stalling:
If you have noticed that your car is beginning to stall when you are driving, this could be the result of several different issues. Clogged fuel filters or faulty spark plugs can sometime cause this to happen, but thankfully these are usually smaller issues to deal with that can be easily rectified with a tune-up service. On the other hand, it could be a sign of a larger issue such as a clogged catalytic converter or a faulty fuel pump, which will need replacing.
Dark Exhaust Smoke:
On a cold day, you will probably see some vapor coming from the exhaust pipe of your vehicle, which is usually normal. However, it`s important to look out for dark smoke since this could be the result of an oil leak.
Gray or blue smoke coming out of the exhaust is always a cause for concern, especially if you have noticed this along with a burnt oil smell, which usually indicates that there is not enough oil in your engine to keep the parts lubricated effectively.
Overheating:
If you do not have enough oil in your engine or the oil is old and ineffective due to not being changed for a while, then it is not going to lubricate the different components of the engine as well as it should. As a result of this, the engine is going to heat up more, which can eventually lead to overheating. Getting your oil changed as soon as possible will usually fix this problem.
Lower Fuel Economy:
If you have noticed that your car is going through more gas than it used to for the same journeys, it could mean that you are due an oil change. As the engine oil gets older, it will get thicker and turn into a sludge-like substance.
As a result of this, the thicker oil provides more resistance to the moving parts in the engine which leads to more fuel use as the engine is working harder. Bear in mind that poor fuel economy can also be due to a range of other reasons, but if you`ve noticed that your oil is thick and dark, getting it changed will usually help.
Warning Light:
The simplest way to tell that your oil needs changing in your car is when the warning light comes on. Modern computers and sensors in cars today make it easier for you to detect when there is a problem as early as possible. If you notice an indictor light on your dashboard with the oil symbol that is not going off, it usually means that you need an oil change or that the oil levels are low.
Engine oil is an important part of your car`s engine, keeping everything lubricated and running correctly.