Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change

Everybody always talks about checking your engine oil and changing it regularly, but do you know why? And how do you know when it’s time to make a change? Keep reading to discover the importance of conducting oil changes, what happens if you don’t, and watch out for the telltale signs that your engine oil is no longer effective.

Why You Need to Conduct Oil Changes

A well-functioning engine is essential for the functioning of your car. To stay in good shape, it needs to be properly lubricated with oil. Because oil can get old over time, it can lose its effectiveness for lubricating the engine and needs to be replaced with fresh oil. If the oil becomes ineffective or there isn’t enough in the vehicle, your engine will lack lubrication and become really hot, which will weaken it over time. The less effective it becomes the more your engine will wear out, which could eventually cause it to shut down altogether.

Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it’s important to conduct regular vehicle maintenance that prevents the engine from running out of fresh oil. But what are some of the signs that an oil change needs to be conducted?

Signs That Your Car May Need an Oil Change

Check the Oil Change Light

If you bought a car like the Honda HRV in Los Angeles, your oil change light will be the easiest indicator that it’s time for a change. The sign will light up when you need to change your engine oil for it to work properly and stay lubricated. Once you see this sign, change the oil as soon as you can to prevent complications.

Monitor the Engine

Your engine is essential for the functioning of your car. In order for it to properly work, you need to change the oil regularly to make sure it stays lubricated. If there’s a problem with the oil or if there’s not enough, your engine could start making noises that resemble knocking or rumbling sounds as it continues to become more damaged from poor lubrication.

Your Car Smells Like Oil

If your car starts to smell like oil, that’s not a good sign. A strong oil smell can indicate a leak in the system, which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If there’s a burning smell it could also indicate that you’re either running out of oil or it’s becoming dirty and ineffective, which is reducing engine lubrication and causing your car to heat up. If you suspect a leak, it’s important to call an auto expert for professional maintenance services immediately.

How can you differentiate between the two smells? If you notice the smell is greater outside your car, that may indicate a leak. If the smell is stronger on the inside and smells more like something’s burning, that could indicate a lack of clean oil.

Your Oil is Dirty

If you haven’t changed the oil in a long time and it’s started to become dirty, you need to conduct an oil change as that means the oil is no longer effective at lubricating the engine. But what should clean, effective engine oil look like? It’s generally light in color and transparent in nature. The color should be similar to light amber, but as it gets older, it starts to darken over time. If it darkens to the point where it looks black, it might be dirty, overheated, or even due to chemicals that were added. If the oil is dirty, it will no longer be transparent and develop a thick consistency.

Tips for Changing Your Oil

Now that you understand the importance of oil changes and know what signs to look out for, you probably have other questions, like how often you should change the oil or how it works. We’ve come up with a few tips that you should follow in regards to oil changes:

• Change your oil regularly – You don’t have to wait for any of these signs or major issues to occur before conducting an oil change. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, why not conduct regular checkups to make sure it’s in good condition? It’s recommended to conduct an oil change every four to six months or every few thousand miles. If you’re wondering how often you need to change the oil for your new Honda Civic lease in Los Angeles, do your research to find out the requirements for your specific model. But even if you don’t drive your car often, it’s important to change it regularly as it can still get old and dirty.
• Do your research – If you’re planning on changing the oil yourself, avoid learning on the go and do your research ahead of time. Learn as much as you can about the different parts of your car, educate yourself on the correct ways to change oil, and learn about the proper safety measures ahead of time to stay safe and avoid accidents.
• Don’t overfill the crankcase – While regular oil changes are good for your engine, overfilling the crankcase is not. Adding too much oil could damage your engine. Some cars are more sensitive than others when it comes to overfilling with oil, so check your owner’s manual or speak with your dealer to see if your new Honda HRV from Los Angeles is one of them.

Whether you’re doing them on your own or taking your car to a professional, oil changes need to be conducted regularly. As oil ages and gets dirty over time, it’s important to replace it with fresh, clean oil that will keep your engine lubricated and working well. Regular oil changes will help keep your car working effectively for a long time.

Posted in Hollywood Honda Service | No Comments »