90% of car owners admit to neglecting their vehicle’s maintenance at some point, and getting an oil change is one of the most forgotten services. But oil is the lifeblood of your car, and it needs to be kept clean for your car to function.
Regular oil changes maintain your car’s smooth performance and protect the lifespan of its engine. How often should you go for an oil change? While we recommend changing the oil every few months, here are five signs that your car needs an oil change ASAP or it’ll break down.
1. Oil Change Light
If you haven’t checked your oil level in a while, the oil light on your dashboard means now is the time to do it. If it’s yellow, you need an oil change or maintenance. No worries if you can’t get it fixed right away, but keep in mind you’ve only got around 100 miles before that blinking oil light becomes a real issue.
But if it’s red, shut off your engine immediately.
2. Dirty Oil
Oil that looks like sludge can cause serious engine damage. When oil turns black, it’s full of carbon deposits from combustion byproducts. These particles build up in your engine and restrict airflow, causing your car to run poorly.
To see if your oil’s in good shape, look at the dipstick or swap out the oil filter. If your oil looks like gunk, drain it out and add fresh oil.
3. Noises
The oil in your engine acts as a protective layer between moving parts. It stops them from rubbing against each other and causing damage. If you hear a ticking sound, bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop.
When this protective layer gets too thin, the metals collide when the engine is running. Grinding noises are an urgent sign to go to a mechanic. The friction between the moving parts will cause the engine to fail if you don’t take care of it soon.
If you hear squealing or grinding noises, your vehicle needs serious care and might already have sustained damage.
4. Blue Smoke
If you see blue smoke coming from the back of your car, chances are your engine is burning oil. Your car might have an oil leak or some other issue.
Call a mechanic as soon as possible—otherwise, the vehicle may overheat and become unusable.
5. Decreased Fuel Efficiency
If you notice that your car’s fuel efficiency has decreased, it could be a sign that your engine is working harder than it needs to because of old, dirty oil. When the engine has to work harder, it burns more fuel to compensate, resulting in lower fuel efficiency.
Getting an oil change can help improve your car’s fuel efficiency and save you money in the long run. So if you’re noticing that you’re filling up your gas tank more frequently than usual, it may be time for an oil change.
Schedule an Oil Change
If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact RNS Service for an oil change. We’ll change your oil, check for engine problems, and make sure everything is running smoothly.
With every oil change and maintenance, we check tire pressure, coolant level, oil filter, and perform a digital vehicle inspection. After you’ve been here two times, our system will let you know when you are due again. Once you’re in our system, we send you a custom timed reminder.
You’ll feel better knowing that your car is in good working order, and you can be confident that your engine will last for a long time.