7 Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change (or Inspection)
Is your car not running as well as it used to? Often the answer is very simple: perform some basic low-cost maintenance.
Engine oil is essential for lubricating and cooling the hot metal parts of your engine. Changing the engine oil is one of the most common maintenance tasks that needs to be performed on any vehicle.
There are a few other things that should be done regularly: Here is a list of common wear items and signs that they need to be repaired.
What is a tune-up?
In the days of carbureted engines, a tune-up meant adjusting the carburetor. This adjustment was necessary after a period of time or if the car was driven at a significantly different altitude. In some cases, a tune-up could also refer to adjusting the distributor, which changes the ignition timing of the vehicle.
When it comes to modern engines, the term “inspection” can mean a variety of things. In most cases, an inspection involves checking and replacing the most common car parts that wear out quickly.
For example, when you bring your car in for an inspection, the mechanic will inspect the spark plugs, spark plug wiring, fuel filter, air filter, brakes, wipers, wiper fluid, and distributor cap (if equipped).
Common Signs That Your Car Needs an Oil Change or Inspection If your car isn’t running properly, it’s most likely in need of routine maintenance. Here are some common signs that your car needs a little attention.
1) Black Oil
Fresh oil should be light in color, amber in color. As oil gets older, it will turn black in color. Old or dirty oil will become very dark, eventually turning jet black.
When checking your oil, wipe the dipstick with a white paper towel or rag and note the color of the oil. If it is very dark or visibly dirty, your engine oil should be changed. Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 to 10,000 miles. This service interval varies depending on your vehicle, climate, driving habits, and the type of oil used. When in doubt, always check your owner’s manual to see what your vehicle manufacturer recommends.
2) Vibration
Unusual vibrations in the engine or chassis are often a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle. If you feel vibrations, check to see where they are coming from. Does the engine vibrate when accelerating? Is the vibration stronger when braking or cornering?
The brakes may pulsate when you press the brake pedal. This is a sign that pad material has built up unevenly on the rotors or that the brakes are warped.
The engine may shudder if it misfires or has low compression in one or more cylinders. A compression test or leakage test will tell you if this is the case for your vehicle.
3) Engine is Hard to Start
Turn the key to start the engine and it should start without any problems. If the engine is consistently hard to start, you should have your battery tested. If it gives poor results, replace it.
Another common cause of a hard to start engine is an incorrect air-fuel ratio. This can happen if you have a vacuum leak. A vacuum leak can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to starting and running problems in some cases. A vacuum leak can be detected with a smoke test.
4) Engine Overheating
A healthy engine should not overheat. A problem with the cooling system can cause the engine to overheat. The problem could be anything from a bad head gasket to a thermostat to a simple radiator cap.
Your car may overheat due to a clogged radiator, bent fins in the radiator core, or simply from running the engine too hard for an extended period of time in hot weather. If your vehicle cools down quickly when you release the accelerator, you may need a larger radiator to meet your needs.
In many vehicles, the air conditioning condenser is located in front of the radiator, which makes it easy for dirt to build up between the two. This dirt may not be immediately noticeable when you open the hood. Look for clogged condensers and radiators.
5) Stalling
If your car suddenly stalls while you are driving, you should check the fuel and ignition systems. You may need to replace the spark plugs or change the fuel filter.
The fuel filter is an often-overlooked component of the fuel system. The fuel filter removes deposits and dirt from the fuel, preventing these contaminants from clogging the fuel injectors. If the fuel filter is too old, some of these contaminants may pass through the filter.
In some cases, the fuel filter may become too restrictive, causing the vehicle to stall due to insufficient fuel flow.
6) Dirty Air Filter
If the air filter is dirty, contaminants may pass through the filter and enter the engine. This is not good because these contaminants can cause premature wear in the combustion chamber and shorten the life of the engine. It may also cause a loss of engine power due to reduced compression.
Like fuel filters, dirty air filters can also be a hindrance that affects gas mileage. If your oil is overly dirty or you notice a lot of dirt on your air filter, change your air filter. This could save you a few miles per gallon.
7) Worse Fuel Economy
It’s always a good idea to track your fuel economy over time. To do this, track your mileage between fill-ups, then divide the number of miles by the number of gallons you’ve put in the tank. For the most consistent measurements, don’t top off the fuel tank. Let the fuel flow until the pump shuts off automatically. Common items that affect fuel economy are tire pressures, the engine air filter, the fuel filter, and spark plugs.
Should I Ask For a Tune-up?
A tune-up is an imprecise way of asking for vehicle maintenance. If you ask a mechanic for a tune-up, you are basically giving them free license to fix anything they think is (or is going to be) a problem on the vehicle, both in the present and the future.
If you don’t communicate clearly to your mechanic what you would like done with your vehicle, you may be writing them a blank check, allowing them to replace any part they deem necessary. Talk with a trusted mechanic about the current state of your vehicle.
