Wondering How Do You Know If You Need Your Oil Changed?

But how do you know if you need your oil changed and what happens if you don’t change it on time?

1. Build-up of dirt and debris. Oil picks up dirt and debris as it moves through the engine. If the oil, as well as the filter, isn’t replaced periodically, this dirt and debris will eventually clog the filter and the dirty oil will be cycled back through the engine.
2. Engine parts start to wear down. Dirty oil is thick and abrasive. Every time it cycles through the engine it picks up more dirt and debris. It may still be lubricating the engine for a time, it will wear out the engine at an accelerated rate.
3. Oil additives lose their effectiveness. Most oils have additives such as detergents, dispersants, rust-fighters, and friction reducers. Over time, these additives wear out and lose their effectiveness.
4. Oil turns to sludge. Over time, the volume of dirt and debris can eventually outweigh the actual oil, resulting in a thick, dark, sludge with no lubricating qualities.
5. Complete engine failure. If the oil gets too dirty, it becomes useless in keeping the engine’s components lubricated. The friction of metal-on-metal contact can damage the components so severely that the engine completely fails. At this point, the engine must be completely replaced.

Wondering how do you know if you need your oil changed? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Phil’s Service about our oil change coupons and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Killeen, TX, and the surrounding area.