When Should You Change Your Car’s Engine Oil?

In order to keep your car in smooth running condition, it is necessary to check the levels of the oil of its engine regularly. Engine oil is required in a car engine not only to lubricate its moving parts but also to keep them clean, protect and cool them so that the engine may not seize. But the oil in your engine has to be changed regularly as it loses its lubrication with time. But to know when you should change the engine oil of your car you will have to consider the points discussed hereunder.

Check the level of oil: You should check the level of engine oil in your car regularly and frequently to know when it has to be changed. You can use a dipstick provided in your engine for this purpose. You should take the dipstick out and wipe it with a clean cloth so that you can read the reading perfectly. Now you can insert it again into the engine to measure the level of oil in it. These dipsticks are usually marked at two points showing the minimum and maximum level of the oil. If the level of oil is below the level of minimum point then you should change the engine oil of your car.

Check the color of the engine oil: The color of engine oil changes with time. The color of fresh oil is light brown and transparent. When it becomes thick and dark like black then it is the right time to change it otherwise it can form gunk in the engine due to particulates in it. While checking the level of oil you should also check its color.

Check the consistency of the oil: While checking the level and color of the engine oil you should also check its consistency. If it is dirty then it will give a feeling of grittiness or coarseness when you rub it between your forefingers and thumb. The contaminants in the oil have changed its consistency which means it has to be changed as soon as possible.

The vehicle has been run a lot: If your car is frequently used for long journeys then its engine oil should be changed more frequently according to the user manual provided with your vehicle. Earlier it was recommended by the auto companies to change the oil after using the vehicle for 3,000 miles every time. But now this frequency may not be right due to the introduction of advanced synthetic oils for this purpose in the market. Today every model has different frequency to change its engine oil. So you should follow the user manual of your car for this purpose.

When alerted by the dashboard light: You may not remember when you have changed your car’s oil last time but most of the modern cars keep a record of such information. Their computerized system alerts the driver by illuminating a massage or light on the dashboard. This light reminds you to change the oil as per the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. You should not ignore this warning as driving with low oil level can damage your engine permanently. After changing the oil you should reset the system to get alerts next time.

The level of oil is dropping consistently: If the level of engine oil drops consistently even after refilling it fully then there must be some problem in your engine. It can be due to loss of lubrication in the oil for which your engine is using it excessively to run smoothly. A leak in the engine can also be one of the reasons for a consistent drop in the oil level. So you should get your engine checked thoroughly while changing its oil.

Engine noise has increased considerably: You can be more familiar with the sounds of your car than anyone else. So when you notice that its noise is increasing considerably then you should change its engine oil. The moving parts of your car engine start making more noise by grinding against each other when the oil in your engine loses its lubricating properties. Any delay in replacing the oil can damage the moving parts of your car engine.

Thus you should change the engine oil of your car if any or a few of the symptoms discussed above are noticed.