Signs You Need an Oil Change

Changing your oil frequently is one of the easiest ways to prolong the life of your vehicle and prevent problems from happening in the future. It also helps elevate performance and even provides you with better fuel efficiency. Although, how do you know when it’s time to change your oil?

While most people rely on estimated mileage to make their service appointments, there are some very important warnings to watch for while driving in the Indianapolis, Fishers, and Speedway areas. To make sure these don’t go unnoticed, Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet has created this guide on the most popular signs you need an oil change. Let’s dive right in!

 

5 Warning Signs You Need an Oil Change 

1. DARK & UNCLEAN OIL

Oil works hard to keep your engine running as it should since it lubricates important components and cleans along the way. Due to this, over time, your once amber-colored oil will transform into a dark and sludgy color.

Since this is the first warning sign that an oil change is needed, you won’t be able to see this happening from behind the wheel. Check your oil once a month to ensure it is clean and not dark, dirty, and filled with debris. If it is or the levels are too low, schedule an oil change pronto.

 

2. UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISES 

As stated above, engine oil lubricates crucial elements under the hood. When there isn’t enough oil in your reservoir or it’s too dirty to do its job correctly, this can cause some strange noises to emit from your vehicle.

These can sound like metal on metal, grinding, knocking, and roaring. This type of sound is your car letting you know to get into your authorized dealership for an oil change as soon as possible.

 

3. DARK EXHAUST SMOKE  

Seeing smoke coming from your vehicle is never a good sign. A possible reason for this is there could be an oil leak in your engine or faulty parts under the hood caused by a lack of sufficient oil.

Whether there’s enough oil in your vehicle or not, make sure to reach out to a certified service center. They’ll be able to resolve the issue and get you back on the road.

 

4. OIL SMELL 

Oil has a very distinct odor and when you smell it, you’ll know something is going on. If you’re getting whiffs of this substance inside of your cabin, this a huge warning sign. This smell can be caused by several issues, including an oil leak, oil burning on the engine, or oil in your exhaust area.

Since an overheated engine can result in a fire as well as severe damage to your vehicle, get into an authorized service center right away!

 

5. CHECK OIL LIGHT 

One telltale sign it’s time to get an oil change is when your oil light is illuminated on your dashboard. This is your vehicle’s system telling you there’s not enough clean oil under the hood.

To avoid repairs down the line and keep your vehicle running smoothly, make an appointment to get your oil changed as soon as you can.

 

GET YOUR OIL CHANGED AT ANDY MOHR SPEEDWAY CHEVROLET TODAY! 

Whether you’re experiencing any of the above warning signs or you don’t know when the last time your oil was changed, let us take care of it for you! Our professional technicians proudly serve customers in Indianapolis, Fishers, and Speedway as well as nearby areas.