Top Indicators of a Car Needing Oil Change
Most drivers will rely on their vehicle’s mileage to determine when it should be examined and have its oil changed. However, many factors can help you determine when to change your automobile oil and do other maintenance work. Over time, the existing fluid in your car tends to break down and causes difficulties in its overall performance. Some telltale signs can help you determine if your vehicle is ready for its next oil change in Longmont.
The Timing
You will find most of your answers in the owner’s manual of your vehicle, which should act as your maintenance Bible of sorts. It is easy to jump to conclusions based on your past experiences with mechanics who want your automobile to deteriorate up to a point where they can charge you a massive amount for car service in Longmont. Don’t be that guy or gal.
These days, most trucks and SUVs come equipped with service reminder monitors, so drivers know exactly when their automobile needs to visit a mechanic. However, these automobiles will only base this reminder on the number of miles the vehicle has traveled. While you must not ignore these reminders whenever they occur, there are other factors you may consider. They include:
- Engine Noise
Engine lubricants behave as a sort of protective layer between the engine’s moving parts to ensure that while they do move, they don’t brush against one another and make noises. It also helps keep your engine quiet. Thus, a good telltale sign that your lubricant isn’t doing all it should be doing is a noisy engine which may also indicate that you need an alignment in Longmont. If you hear rattling or knocking sounds come out of your automobile, it is probably time to take it to a service center for regular maintenance. Failure to do so can potentially result in your engine tearing itself apart as more time passes.
- Fuel Smells Inside the Vehicle
When your car is recircling the air inside it to keep it cool, and you smell fuel, it could mean that your engine leaks. Coupled with exhaust fumes, it could mean your automobile is also overheating. This is a sign your vehicle needs immediate attention in the form of auto repair in Longmont.
- Exhaust Smoke
If your vehicle’s tailpipe is letting out a translucent vapor, it is pretty normal. However, if this vapor also contains smoke, then your engine needs maintenance.
How to Check Levels
When the engine is off, lift the hood. After this, you will need to locate the dipstick and pull it away from the engine so you can wipe any lubricant surrounding it. Put the dipstick back in as far as it can go. Pull it out a second time. However, this time, you will check it on both sides to see how far up the liquid comes. Every dipstick is designed in a way to indicate the lubricant level in an engine. It can be two pinholes, Low or High letters, MAX and MIN words, or a crosshatching. If the liquid reaches somewhere between any of the two marks or the crosshatched area, then you should be able to tell that the oil levels inside your vehicle are normal. if the level is below any of the two marks, then maintenance is needed.
While doing this, you will also be mindful of the color of the liquid that you see, which should ideally be either brown or black. If it is cloudy or milky, it could indicate that the coolant is leaking into your vehicle’s engine. You should also keep an eye on all metal particles that could tell whether there is any internal engine damage. If your engine represents any of these signs, then you probably need to book an appointment and get your automobile checked out by a professional for an oil change in Longmont, CO.
If everything appears to be normal, you have the go-ahead to clean the dipstick with a clean cloth and then put it back carefully inside its tube while making sure it sits properly inside it.
Frequency of Changing Engine Oil
Some drivers believe that they need to have their engine checked and the lubricant replaced every 3-months or whenever their vehicles have crossed the 3,000-mile mark. However, the more advanced engines made today makes this guide a little obsolete. While having these changes too late can be bad for your engine, changing it too quickly won’t do magic tricks for it either. Don’t rely on the olden guides and follow your owner’s manual, which contains detailed information about your specific vehicle. This can help you determine better when your car needs a change, better than any mechanic could! Suppose every fuel change costs you $60, and you get your automobile’s engine oil changed every 7,500 miles instead of every 3,000 miles. You could end up saving $360!
Garage-Bound Cars
You could think that since your automobile has been sitting in the garage for a while, that it doesn’t need its lubricant changed, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Your vehicle’s oil needs to be kept fresh, irrespective of the miles you put on it. You shouldn’t go by miles in this particular case and get the lubricant changed at least twice a year.
All of these factors are important, but some may hold more value based on your unique situation. It is always good to get an opinion from a professional when you find yourself in unknown waters. Your vehicle’s appointment is a lot like a dentist’s appointment. The more you wait, the costlier it will eventually be for you.
