How to Tell If You Need an Oil Change?

Performing routine maintenance on your car is essential if you want your ride to last as long as possible. It’s also paramount to its value, especially if you don’t plan on keeping your vehicle its entire life span and want to sell it for something new. Oil changes are one of the key services in that routine maintenance category, meaning it’s an important consideration. But how do you know if it’s time for an oil change? Keep reading to find out.

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change?

Knowing how often you should get an oil change will help determine when you need one. General recommendations can differ based on your vehicle’s make, model, and age. That’s because varying levels of technology and different types of oil contribute to the frequency at which your oil needs to be changed.

Before car technology rapidly advanced, it was generally understood that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. Many oil-change joints still recommend a change every 3,000-5,000 miles. But times have changed. These days, the common average sits between 7,500 and 10,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt to change your oil frequently, but the price can increase. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and know what your powertrain warranty stipulates for your suggested frequency.

Now, let’s move on to the signs that tell you it’s time for an oil change.

Your Previous Oil Change

Let’s start with the simplest, most unalarming way to tell you need an oil change. Whenever you get your oil changed by a dealership, a mechanic shop, or an oil-change joint, they’ll put a sticker on your driver-side windshield that typically indicates the number of miles and what exact mileage you should get your oil changed next. This makes it easy to glance at the sticker and then back down at your odometer to see how close you need a change. The stickers may also indicate the grade of oil you should get.

Sounds

It can be disconcerting to hear your car’s engine making unusual sounds. Some of these sounds indicate you need an oil change.

Knocking

A knocking sound in your engine can have a few different causes. There could be an issue with the internal combustion. This happens outside the cylinder instead of the combustion happening within the cylinder when and where it should. In that case, it’s a sign that the fuel isn’t burning evenly.

It can also come from oil that’s old or thin. The sound is internal parts rubbing against each other because the oil is no longer lubricating them as it should. If so, the knocking should disappear after a simple oil change. Regardless of the cause, a knocking engine shouldn’t be taken lightly. Take your car in for service as soon as you hear it.

Ticking

That’s not Captain Hook’s crocodile. If you hear a ticking sound coming from your engine, there’s a problem. While ticking can be caused by issues with timing parts, such as the chain or belt, it can often indicate you’re low on oil. Like with knocking, you’ll want to get your car in for service as soon as you hear it.

Sights

Some visual indicators can also tell you it’s time for an oil change.

Exhaust Smoke

If smoke comes from your exhaust, especially if your vehicle is newer, it’s probably time for an oil change. Dirty or thin oil can be the cause, or something more serious, such as an oil leak, could be the culprit. If you have more than vapor emitting from your exhaust, check your oil.

Warning Lights

To take out the guesswork, many vehicles have a visual indicator in the form of a warning light when the oil is getting low. This can be a general check engine light or a more specific oil change light. Many times, though, if the check engine light starts glowing, the situation is more dire than a simple oil change reminder notification.

Oil Color

Dirty oil is filled with particulate, which makes it darker than the amber color when it’s first poured. These little bits gradually incorporate into the oil from the engine. Checking the color of your oil is as easy as checking the dipstick. Locate it in your engine, remove it, wipe the oil off, then put it back. Now, remove it once more. The oil should be pretty translucent, and the dipstick should clearly show the level. If you can’t see it the second time you remove the dipstick, it’s time for a change.

Smells

Your car can produce all kinds of smells, but if you smell something burning, there’s a problem. That smell can indicate engine issues such as overheating, and having dirty or insufficient oil can contribute to that issue. The burning smell can also smell like oil, indicating an oil leak.

Like everything on this list, if you’ve noticed a burning smell in your car, you need to get it checked out immediately.

Other Indicators

Outside of the sights, smells, and sounds your car produces to alert you that you need to change your oil, there are other things to look out for.

• Vibration: If you feel your car shaking or vibrating while idling, it could be time for an oil change.
• Lots of travel: If you’ve been on the road and really putting those miles on your car, you’ll need an oil change sooner.
• Difficulty in shifting gears: If you’re experiencing difficulties changing gears, that’s a clear indicator that you’re ready for some new oil.
• Oil texture: Your oil should be, well, oily. If you see that oil turning thicker, whether by changing to a darker color or even displaying the same look as yogurt, schedule service as soon as you can.

Better Safe Than Sorry

The last thing you want is to ignore the signs you need an oil change, as this could result in severe engine damage. If you think it’s time, you’re unsure, or even if you want to check that your car is in trade-in condition, bring it over to Meadowland GMC in Meadowland, New York. We regularly have service deals, and we’ll be happy to get you ready for the road.

Photo Credits: Person Checking the Oil of an Engine by Gustavo Fring is licensed with Pexels License

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