3 Signs It's Time For An Oil Change
Regular maintenance plays a critical role in determining how well your vehicle functions over time. Investing in routine oil changes is one of the most important things that you can do to keep your vehicle running right. Engine oil circulates throughout your vehicle's engine to keep moving parts lubricated and prevent serious overheating. Determining when it's time for an oil change can be challenging for some drivers.
Here are three signs that you can watch for to help let you know it's time to change your vehicle's oil in the future.
1. Oil levels drop.
It's important that you are taking the time to routinely check the engine oil level in your vehicle. This can be done by pulling out the oil dipstick and looking at the fluid level on the dipstick. Be sure that the fluid level stays within the recommended level.
If you notice a drop in the oil level, this could indicate that your vehicle is running low on engine oil. Taking your vehicle to a reliable mechanic for an oil change will help restore proper oil levels and ensure that your vehicle's engine enjoys maximum protection over time.
2. Oil appears dirty.
Along with checking oil levels regularly, you should be paying close attention to the appearance of the engine oil on the dipstick. You want your engine oil to have a viscous and smooth appearance. This means the oil is fresh and functioning properly.
If you notice that the engine oil on your dipstick looks dark and gritty, this could be an indication that the oil is old and needs to be replaced. Use the appearance of your engine oil as a guide to help you determine when it's time to invest in an oil change to keep your vehicle's engine running properly in the future.
3. Follow manufacturer guidelines.
If you take a look inside your owner's manual, your vehicle's manufacturer has likely included a recommended maintenance schedule. This maintenance schedule will let you know how often you should have your vehicle's oil changed.
Although the manufacturer's guideline can serve as a baseline, you may need more frequent oil changes if you drive in stop-and-go traffic regularly or live in an area where extreme temperature fluctuations are common.
Being able to determine when it's time to take your vehicle in for an oil change will help you keep your car or truck running right well into the future. Visit a site like http://www.pdrauto.com/ for more help.