You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: Motor oil is the lifeblood of your automobile’s engine. Generally, oil should be changed every 3,000 miles to ensure it is always clean and fresh. Your automobile may also give you some signs that the oil needs to be changed. West Omaha Auto Service lists the signs that your car needs an oil change below.
Blue Exhaust Smoke
This first sign is also an indication that you have an oil leak. If you see blue or grayish-blue exhaust smoke coming out of your tailpipe, your engine is burning oil. Not only do you need to get your oil changed, but you also need to find out where the oil is leaking from so it can be repaired.
Engine Knock/Strange Sounds
The oil lubricates your moving engine parts, and when it gets old and dirty, you will begin to hear strange sounds coming from the engine. The sounds can include knocking noises that indicate the parts are clanging against each other and wearing each other down. Your engine will also run hotter.
Miles Driven Since the Last Change
As we said above, oil changes are recommended every 3,000 miles. If you’ve put this many miles on the odometer since your last oil change, it’s time for an oil change. If you use synthetic oil, you can go longer between oil changes, but it’s never recommended to go longer than what your vehicle manufacturer and the oil manufacturer recommend.
Oil Change/Check Engine Light
If your vehicle is equipped with an oil change light on the dashboard, it will turn on once you need to get the oil changed. Vehicles that are not equipped with this dashboard light will get a check engine light warning. You may also have an oil gauge that will register when the oil is low, or you may have a digital readout of the oil life percentage.
Oil That is Dark Brown
Checking your oil regularly helps you determine when it is getting old. Fresh motor oil is light brown. As the oil begins to age, it turns dark brown. It’s important that you get your oil changed when it is dirty. Otherwise, you run the risk of the oil depositing gunk on the moving engine parts.
You Smell Oil in Your Car
Finally, if you smell oil inside your automobile, you need to have the oil changed. You should never smell exhaust, gasoline, or oil inside your automobile. If you do, there’s a problem underneath the hood.
West Omaha Auto Service in Omaha, NE, has all of your vehicle’s oil changes covered. Call us today to schedule your appointment.