Why Should I Get an Oil Change?

There are several reasons to consider, but perhaps the simplest reason is that an oil change is part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. When you stay on top of it and keep your oil in a healthy condition, you’re taking an active role in reducing the risk of potential critical issues. As we’ll see in the next section, when you take a relaxed attitude, your vehicle is going to let you know.

If you have access to your owner’s manual, then you’re a mile ahead. Inside the manual you’ll find the maintenance schedule that tells you at which milestone an oil change should be done. However, we understand that this isn’t always available. In that case, we encourage a physical inspection of your oil to make sure it has a translucent amber color with little to no particles floating around in it.

What Are Some Signs that I Need an Oil Change?

While there are several signs that can forewarn an oil change, the easiest one to spot is on the dashboard. When the check oil light is illuminated, it usually signifies that there isn’t enough oil in the system and it needs to be refilled, or occasionally, changed. When you encounter this sign, take it as a reminder to physically check your oil.

Although you might expect your vehicle to produce odors that you find unpleasant, there are some distinctly oily odors you need to know about. When you begin to experience them, you’re likely to be encounter plumes of smoke emerging from under your hood. These two signs let you know that your oil is unhealthy, and that the delivery system has problems as well.

Now you might be accustomed to the amount of noise that your engine creates. However, if you notice that the din is getting louder and louder, this can be a sign. Oil is meant to prevent the scraping of metal inside the engine and when you have bad oil, the noise level increases.