What is the right time to change car oil? Understand here!
Changing your car oil periodically is one of the main precautions for keeping your vehicle in perfect condition and ensuring a good engine life. Not knowing the right time to change car oil can cause your car to run out of oil, which can compromise the entire lubrication system and can even rust and melt your engine.
It is important to do this maintenance from time to time. But when is the right time to change car oil? Today we will answer this question and leave some tips for you not to neglect the preventive maintenance of your vehicle. Follow:
Check vehicle oil level
When checking the car's oil level, it is ideal to have it between the minimum and maximum indicated on the gauge. If the marker indicates that the oil is below the minimum, this is a lack of engine lubrication and the lubricant must be topped up to the optimum level.
On the other hand, an oil above the maximum indicates crankcase pressure increase, which may also be detrimental to vehicle operation. Check out the video below for step-by-step how to check the oil level in your car engine:
The car is expected to consume about half a liter of oil per thousand kilometers - an expense that may be higher on new vehicles. Therefore, while it is not time to change the lubricant, it is important to be aware of the oil level, adjusting it as necessary.
Follow manufacturer's oil change guidance
To know the right time to change your car oil, you need to consult the vehicle manual. Each manufacturer gives an indication according to the car model and year, and also recommends the appropriate engine oil type and quantity to use.
Check this information in the maintenance section and do not miss the indicated time. If the car is used a lot or goes through heavy traffic jams daily, it is advisable to change the oil early.
Importantly, motorcycle lubricant should never be used in cars.
Watch out for engine oil filter
To take good care of your car engine, it is not enough to change the oil: you must also be aware of the need to change the filter to a new best oil filter.
When cleaning the engine, the oil passes through the filter, depositing much of the dirt there.
If the filter is not changed within the proper time, it may become overloaded with impurities, making it difficult for lubricant to pass through. In more extreme cases, if the filter is completely blocked, the engine could be seriously compromised.
Therefore, it is essential to check the time indicated by the manufacturer to change the oil filter. Some recommend that it occur with each oil change, while others indicate a slightly longer timeframe.
Watch out for old oil
Contrary to what many imagine, the dark color of the oil does not mean that it is old. As we mentioned, the oil has the function of lubricating the engine and keeping it clean, preventing impurities from settling in the machine. Because of this, the lubricant tends to get dark, which only indicates that it is keeping the engine clean.
However, over time, the oil may become old and thick, damaging the lubrication system. When the car is underused and goes through long periods without reaching the mileage indicated for this maintenance, it is necessary to change the oil every six months, avoiding running with old oil.
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