A crucial component of your car is engine oil. If it’s working to keep the engine cooled or lubricating parts to not grind against each other, the engine oil is the lifeline for your car. The oil helps the engine in numerous ways. It helps defend the engine by keeping it clean from debris, which protects its operation. Oil reduces wear and friction, which can also enhance the performance of the fuel. Lastly, it reduces the heat inside the engine and pushes it to other parts of the engine.
Regularly testing the oil level can help the driver maintain proper oil levels and help ensure oil health. To start the process, it is a best practice to test the oil when the engine is cool to not touch the hot engine parts. When checking the oil level, most dipsticks have guidelines to display if the oil levels are low and should be topped off. Also when using the dipstick, you can check the oil texture. If the oil is light in color and smooth, it shouldn’t be changed. However, if the oil is dark and appears to be sludgier, then it’s best to replace it.
If your dipstick consistently displays low engine oil levels then you may have a leak. There are numerous methods to check for oil leakage, which is important because a leak could cause damage to your vehicle’s engine. If there are dark puddles under your car, it is possibly a result of its oil pan slowly leaking oil. A scent of burning oil or smoke from the engine could be an important sign of an engine oil leak. Also, the engine overheating could be another product of an oil leak.
Learning when to change your vehicle’s oil is crucial to prevent damage to the engine in your vehicle. While some may recommend a short oil change interval from 3,000 to 5,000 miles, it is recommended to have your oil changed every 5,000 to 7,000 miles or six months, whichever one comes first. However, if you are uncertain about when to change your oil you should reach out to our service department for more accurate info about your vehicle.
