Do you know what it looks like when your car really needs an oil change? L&D Automotive has some hints that can help you to recognize this issue before it gets out of hand. Waiting too long to get your car’s oil changed can seriously damage your engine, which is a repair you really don’t want to have to schedule if you can avoid it.
Gas Mileage Is Getting Worse
One indicator that your car has something going on is often in the performance area, specifically your gas efficiency decreases. You can see this pretty easily if you’re calculating your gas mileage on a regular basis. But even if you don’t, you might start to notice that you’re having to go to the gas station earlier than you expected.
Your Car Is Kicking out a Lot of Exhaust
Exhaust is something that’s usually invisible, especially if your car is in good working order. When you are overdue for an oil change, the exhaust that your car expels is more likely to be visible and not in a good way. It might also smell kind of funky, because of the oil breaking down and burning up.
There’s an Oil Leak Somewhere
It’s a good idea to keep an eye underneath your car fairly regularly. That’s going to help you to spot oil leaks fairly quickly after they start, which can give you a head start on solving the problem. Depending on where the oil is leaking, that can indicate a variety of different problems. There could be a lose or failing seal in the engine or your oil filter might be clogged. Regardless, it’s a sign of trouble.
You’ve Got Warning Lights on the Dashboard
Whether your car specifically has an oil light or relies on the check engine light, seeing warning lights on your dashboard is never a good sign. It means that you need to get your car to a reputable mechanic right away and make sure that everything is alright. If you leave this too long, thinking that you’re in for a costly repair, you very well might be in for a costly repair.
Ready to get back to regular oil changes or solve a mystery about your car’s oil? Give us a call at L&D Automotive in Lavon, TX and we can set up an appointment for you. We’ll diagnose the issue and get you back on the road again.