The purpose of this article is to discuss oil changes. Specifically, three signs you need an oil change will be summarized.
When was the last time you had your motor oil replaced? Are you one of those people that go beyond the recommended time frame before you take your car into the auto shop to have your oil checked/replaced? If you are that driver, you are among many who for one reason or another, i.e. no time or forgetfulness, end up neglecting your routine car care maintenance in the hopes that your car won’t malfunction or completely breakdown as a result. Sure, one late motor oil replacement won’t destroy your car, but if you are late with maintenance work of this nature on a regular basis, it can and will cause short and possibly long term damage to your car. It is the intention of this article to discuss three signs that you need an oil change in an effort to deter neglect in car care.
The first and perhaps most obvious sign that you need an oil change can be attributed to expiration of recommended service date. Usually, when you go to have your car serviced, such as oil replacement, a sticker is placed on your driver side windshield that indicates your next service date. While it is most advantageous to have your car serviced exactly as recommended, if you indeed have your oil replacement completed within a week timeframe of the recommended date, your car should not experience any short term or long term damage. The reason auto mechanics recommend your next service date is to aid you, as the driver, in responsible car care.
Another sign that you need an oil change can be indicated by your car overheating. Overheating, which is exemplified by the engine temperature gauge indicating an above normal reading, is often a sign that an oil replacement is needed. Furthermore, it can be particularly destructive to the functioning of your vehicle should the engine temperature gauge exceed a normal reading for an extended period of time as doing so can lead to engine mechanical failure. The third sign that you need an oil change can be attributed to your car making noises. This is particularly true of a knocking sound, which is an indication that the oil that lubricates the engine valves is no longer viable and thus prohibiting the proper functioning of the engine components as well as the engine itself. I don’t have to tell you what an engine failure or breakdown can lead to.
Despite that it is generally common knowledge that drivers should get the motor oil replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, sometimes the hustle and bustle of our daily lives prohibit such attention to routine car care. While timely maintenance such as oil changes may seem like a tedious nuisance, it is indeed critical for the proper functioning and maximization of longevity out of vehicles. As a result, it is imperative that we as drivers do not allow our recommended service dates to expire, or wait until the car starts to overheat and make loud noises so as to avoid the unwanted consequences of a malfunction or breakdown.
