Overdue oil change symptoms
Ever wonder how important an engine oil change is to your vehicle? Cars need to have their oil changed every 7,500 miles or less, depending on the type of engines they use and how they are driven. The oil lubricates the metal surfaces of your car’s engine, which helps reduce friction and maintain the correct rotating speed.
Over time, this oil breaks down and deprives your engine of its necessary protection, increasing the risk of expensive permanent damage to occur. Changing your oil is one way to keep your car running efficiently and also help it last longer. In this article, we’ll cover 12 overdue oil change symptoms and what you should do.
Another thing you should put into consideration is how you fill your oil. Some people make the mistake of overfilling their car engines with oil.
The most common symptom of overfilling engine oil is being unable to start the engine. Other symptoms will include a sudden noise from the engine, smoke coming from under the hood, a strong smell of burning oil, and others we shall cover in this post.
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If you notice any of such signs, schedule an appointment to have your engine checked as soon as possible. It is also not advisable to underfill your car engine with oil as it comes with similar consequences.
Oil Change Basics: What is the Oil Change Schedule?
The oil change schedule is important because it helps keep your car running smoothly and prevents expensive repairs. Most car makers recommend changing your oil every 7,500 miles or so, but you may need to do it more often if you drive in stop-and-go traffic or in extreme weather conditions.
If you’re not sure when to change your oil, consult your owner’s manual or ask a qualified technician. Changing your oil too early or too late can cause problems for your engine, so it’s important to stay on schedule.
Symptoms of Overfilling Engine Oil
Oil leak
If you overfill your engine oil, it can cause a number of problems. The most common symptom is an oil leak. If you notice any oil leaks, it’s important to get them fixed as soon as possible. Oil leaks can cause damage to your car’s engine and other parts of the vehicle. If you think you may have an oil leak, take your car to a mechanic so they can check it out.
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Engine Damage
Overfilling can also lead to engine damage, and it can make your car’s oil system less effective. It’s important to keep an eye on your car’s oil level and not add too much oil. If you’re unsure about how much oil to add, consult your car’s owner’s manual or take it to a mechanic.
Makes Your Car Oil Less Effective
Lastly, overfilling your engine oil can make your car’s oil system less effective. This means that your car’s engine won’t be lubricated properly, which could lead to premature wear and tear. If you think you’ve overfilled your engine oil, have it checked by a mechanic so they can top off the level if necessary.
Symptoms of Underfilling Engine Oil
If your engine oil level is low, it can cause a number of symptoms. The most common symptom is a decrease in performance. Your engine may run rough or knock, and you may notice a loss of power. Other symptoms can include increased fuel consumption, increased exhaust emissions, overheating, and engine failure.
What is A Normal Vehicle Service Schedule?
A regular vehicle service schedule is designed to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. Depending on your car’s make and model, the frequency of your service appointments will vary. However, most cars will need to be serviced every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
During a routine service appointment, your mechanic will check all of the major systems in your car. They’ll top off fluids, inspect brake pads and rotors, examine the tires for wear and tear, and test the battery. This is also a good time to get any other small issues taken care of, like a squeaky belt or a burnt-out headlight.
If you’re not sure when your car is due for a service appointment, consult your owner’s manual. You can also bring it in for an inspection even if you don’t think anything is wrong – it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
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Top 12 Overdue Oil Change Symptoms
Not changing your car’s oil, or doing it too early or too late can have a number of consequences. These consequences are similar to those you will experience if you overfill or underfill the oil. Here are some of the top overdue oil change symptoms:
1. Ticking or Tapping Noises
After a while of using your car, engine oil becomes old and worn. Because of this, automakers advise oil changes every 5,000 miles or so. If your car has old oil, it gets thicker and dirtier.
This will hinder the oil’s ability to adequately lubricate the parts of your engine. Your engine will consequently start to emit a variety of metal noises as a result of improper lubrication. If you neglect the problem, major engine damage may occur; therefore, get an oil change straight away if your car engine requires a change of oil.
2. Excessive Wear and Tear
Dirty oil or substandard oil can cause metal parts to grind against each other, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can shorten the lifespan of your car’s engine.
3. Engine Damage
One of the concerns of overdue oil change symptoms you should take seriously is its tendency to damage your car engine. Not changing your oil regularly can lead to a build-up of dirt and debris in the engine, which can eventually cause serious damage. In the same vein, changing your engine oil too often can equally damage your car engine.
You don’t want your car engine to get damaged because of something you can easily take care of. As mentioned earlier, consult your owner’s manual or a qualified technician if you are not sure when to change your car engine oil.
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4. Smell of Burnt Oil
Your car’s interior cabin may begin to smell like burnt oil, which indicates an issue with your oil. It typically denotes an oil leak that is dripping oil onto hot engine components.
It also suggests that your engine is probably running low on oil, which is making it overheat. Fix the oil leak as soon as possible and add new oil.
5. Exhaust Smoke
If you reside in a chilly climate, you are familiar to seeing vapor coming from your car’s tailpipe. However, you most likely have an oil leak if you actually start to notice blue or gray smoke coming from your exhaust.
This is accompanied by a burnt oil odor, and the smoke is a result of your engine not having enough oil to lubricate all of its moving components due to the leak. Therefore, get the oil replenished and the oil leak rectified.
6. A Stalled Vehicle
You may face a minor problem or a major one if your car stalls while you’re driving. A minor issue would be if your spark plugs were damaged or your fuel filter was clogged. A quick tune-up can replace something like this.
A major issue will be when there is a damaged fuel pump or blocked catalytic converter that needs to be replaced.
7. Poor Performance
Old, dirty oil can make your car’s engine work less efficiently, resulting in reduced performance and fuel economy. What this means is that you will spend more money on fuel if your oil is not changed at the right time.
8. Poor Fuel Economy
You may need an oil change if you notice your gas mileage has decreased from what it once was. If engine oil isn’t changed as it gets old, it will eventually become a thick, almost sludge-like substance. The moving parts in your engine experience more resistance from thick oil, which makes it work harder and consume more fuel.
Other factors can contribute to poor gas mileage, but a quick oil change will help if your oil is dark and considerably thicker than new oil.
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9. Overheating
The oil’s ability to lubricate the engine’s parts will be diminished if there isn’t enough of it in the engine or if it hasn’t been changed in a while. The engine will eventually overheat as a result of this increased heating. Changing your oil and replacing it with new oil will frequently solve the issue.
10. Difficulty Starting the Engine
You may need to examine the connections on top of your battery for corrosion and clean them with a wire brush if you notice that your engine constantly struggles to start. It could be time to replace your battery if it has been in use for at least a few years.
The dashboard lights may start to dim while the engine hesitates before starting. You obviously need a tune-up, which can require cleaning the battery posts and terminals or perhaps getting a new battery.
11. Warning Lights
Modern automobiles may more easily identify a problem early on before it worsens, thanks to their processors and sensors. Consult your owner’s handbook to learn what an indicator light on your dashboard means if you notice it.
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12. Dark Exhaust Vapors
Normally, the gaseous air discharged by the engine through the exhaust pipe won’t be dark (looking dirty). Your car’s exhaust system emitting a foul-smelling vapor is an indication that the oil needs to be replaced because it is already bad. However, oil leaks can also result in dark exhaust emissions, so you should check for leaks as well.
Conclusion
If you notice any of the overdue oil change symptoms mentioned above, try as much as possible to change your car engine oil immediately. This is will help to prevent some consequences that go along with it. Your car could break down along a busy road and cause accidents that may take lives including yours.
It will also make you spend much more on fixing your car and on fuel. The emission of smoke also leads to environmental pollution which is toxic to both humans and animals.