Engine oil is the lifeblood of every vehicle. Engine parts are mechanical and tend to grind against each other a lot. Oil creates a fine layer over these metal parts and stops the repeated grinding from damaging your car’s engine. This is not specific to just car engines. Anything that uses an engine, be it motorcycles or even lawnmowers, needs lubricated parts to function properly.
Role of oil in your car
The main role of oil in your car’s engine is lubrication. Engine parts rub against each other during operation, and without lubrication, they can wear out quickly. On top of that, unlubricated wear and tear generate heat. Furthermore, modern car oils do much more than lubricating the engine: they clean the engine’s insides and prevent acid buildup.
Why does the oil need replacing
You’re cruising down the highway, and suddenly the oil change indicator lights up. Time for an oil change! But why does the oil in your car need changing? Does it get used up?
Oil flows through the internals of your engine, lubricating and cleaning it. The oil also keeps the engine’s temperatures within reasonable levels. Over time, oil flowing inside the engine gets ‘dirty’ as debris builds up. This reduces the ability of oil to protect and clean the engine. This dirty oil needs to be replaced with new oil to ensure smooth functioning of your engine.
If your car has a turbocharger, you may need to change oil more frequently. Low oil levels are unforgiving towards turbocharged engines: a turbo without proper oil levels can get damaged in a matter of seconds.
Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change
It is usually cumbersome for some people to keep track of their car’s mileage for oil changes. This is why most cars come with dedicated systems that remind you of routine maintenance. Many modern cars come equipped with oil level indicators. Some other cars may use the ‘Check Engine’ light to alert you about low oil levels.
Oil Change/Check Engine Light
If you’re driving and your ‘Check Engine’ or ‘Oil Change’ indicator lights up, your car is due for maintenance. Check Engine light can also turn on if there are other issues with your car. For example, spilling gas outside the gas tank cap may trigger the light in certain cars. For more information about indication lights, check your car’s owner manual. If you can’t find your physical copy of the manual, get a digital version here!
Engine Knocking
Low oil levels can cause your engine parts to make a ticking or knocking sound. This usually happens if the oil levels are low or the parts are not getting proper lubrication due to old, dirty oil. Engine knocking can be caused by various other reasons too, such as engine bearing failure or damaged piston rod bearings, to name a few. Either way, if you hear a metallic knocking sound coming from your engine, take your car to a service center as soon as possible.
Excess Exhaust Smoke
Modern vehicles do not emit visible smoke when they are functioning normally. If you see smoke coming out from your car’s exhaust, it is a sign of an underlying issue. If your car has old oil or is running out of oil, you may see a lot of exhaust smoke billowing from your car’s tailpipe.
Mileage
You should change your car’s oil after driving for a set number of miles. This varies from car to car, but a good rule of thumb is to get the oil changed every 5000 miles. If you’ve recently come back from a long road trip, it is a good idea to get your car checked by a reputable auto repair shop. Don’t worry if you don’t want to meet a mechanic in person during the pandemic. Many repair shops use auto repair shop management software that has built-in digital inspection features. Some mechanics even do it in your own garage!
Exhaust Smoke Color
The color of your car’s exhaust emission can give you a pretty good idea of the things that might be wrong with your engine. Following are some of the common exhaust smoke colors and their causes.
Thick, white smoke - coolant leakage
Black smoke - clogged air filter, wrong air to fuel ratio
Blue smoke - oil burning in the engine, worn-out piston rings
Grey smoke - oil burning in engine, bad turbocharger
White vapor coming out from the exhaust is usually because of condensation. Do not confuse it with white smoke!
Our Engine Oil Suggestions
So now you want to change your car’s engine oil. But which brand should you go for? Here’s a roundup of our engine oil suggestions.
Best all-around oil: Mobil1 Synthetic Motor Oil
On a budget? AmazonBasics Motor Oil works great!
Got a car that has been driven a lot? Valvoline High-Mileage Max Life may be for you.
If your car manufacturer suggests using conventional oil, Penzoil Conventional Oil is a good pick.
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