It’s really easy to lose track of things like when you last got the oil changed in your car. If you’re doing that a lot, though, you might start to develop problems with your car. Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros wants you to know what you should watch for in case it’s been a while since your last oil change.
The Oil Looks Dirty
Ideally you should be checking your car’s oil at least once in a while. When you do, pay attention to whether the oil seems fairly clean or if there’s a lot of dirt and other gunk collected in it. Dirty oil isn’t able to do anything for your car’s engine and needs to be replaced.
Or There’s Not Enough in the Engine
Something else to watch out for is how much oil you can see on the dipstick. There’s a measurement that shows you optimal levels and that also marks when oil is too low. If the oil is below that level, you need to make sure that you get the oil changed.
Gas Mileage Is Getting Bad
If you’re not one to check your car’s oil yourself, maybe you track the gas mileage. A surefire sign that you probably need an oil change is that your fuel mileage starts to get bad. Not tracking mileage? With an app on your phone it’s really easy to do every time you get gas.
There’s an Oil Leak
Oil leaks under your car are not great news. They can mean that there’s a problem somewhere, like a hole in a hose or some other issue. But the fact that your car is losing oil is something that you need to address as quickly as you can.
Your Car Is Giving You Warning Lights
Finally, if you are seeing any sort of warning lights on the dashboard, that’s never good. In the case of an oil change issue, you might see an oil warning light, but not all cars have one. You can check your owner’s manual to see what warning lights your car has. If you happen to see the check engine light and you know it’s been a while since your last oil change, you need to get help right away.
Don’t take chances with your car’s engine. Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros in Seaside, CA can help you with oil changes and other routine maintenance that your car needs on a regular basis.