The best way to keep your car’s engine protected is to get your car’s oil changed like clockwork. But how can you tell you accidentally missed an oil change? L&D Automotive is here with some tips that can help you to spot when you need an oil change.
Exhaust Smoke Has Increased
Exhaust smoke is always there to a certain extent, but when your car’s engine oil is old and can’t do its job well, you’re going to see more of that exhaust smoke. It’s also possible that the smoke you see doesn’t just increase in volume but gets darker. The longer you wait, the more smoke you’ll probably start to see.
You’re Getting Gas More Often
Do you track your gas mileage? Not everyone does. But something you might start to notice is that you are getting gas more often. That’s an indication that your car’s gas mileage is not doing so great, especially if you haven’t changed anything about the routes you drive and you’re not driving more often. It can be a good idea to start tracking gas mileage, because that helps you to see patterns in engine performance.
You’re Hearing Engine Noise
Because engine oil’s main job is to protect your car’s engine, you’re likely to hear a lot more engine noise when the oil is breaking down. Knocks, pings, and just more noise in general are all things you might start to hear. When you get your oil changed, the car will sound like the engine is running smoother almost immediately.
One or More Dashboard Lights Are On
Some cars have an oil light on the dashboard, and that may light up if you wait too long to get an oil change. That light can also come on if there’s a problem with the oil, like the pressure drops or the car’s computer detects an oil leak somewhere. You may also see the check engine light come on. That’s a big sign that you’ve waited way too long to get the oil changed. It’s important to stick to a schedule that protects your car’s engine.
Has it been longer than you realize since your car’s last oil change? L&D Automotive in Lavon, TX is happy to change your car’s oil for you. We’re also happy to help you to find an easier way to keep up with preventative maintenance so that you know that your car always has the services it needs.