Change ENGINE OIL Car Dashboard Light
Oil Change Reminder: This message indicates that the oil’s life has come to an end. The ECM keeps track of this; the interval may be miles or a combination of ECM measurements. The method for resetting the device is detailed in the owner’s handbook. To reset the light on certain cars, specific equipment are required.
When the oil level in the engine is inadequate for ongoing safe operation, the Engine Oil Level Warning light will activate. Check the engine oil level as soon as possible if the Engine Oil Level Warning light flashes, and add the necessary engine oil as needed. Do not overfill; the engine oil level should not exceed the F mark on the dipstick or the maximum mark level. If the Engine Oil Level Warning Light stays on after adding engine oil and driving 50-100 kilometers, call your local dealer right away. Engine oil should be checked on a regular basis and changed if required.
Signs That It’s Time to Change Your Oil
Take a look at your mileage sticker.
Looking at the oil change sticker from your last service may be the easiest answer to the issue of when to replace your engine oil. On the driver’s side of the vehicle, most mechanics and oil change businesses put a transparent sticker on the inside of the windshield. You’ll find the date and/or distance for your return here. Some stores additionally display the amount of oil used, and more ecologically aware stores may also provide you with information on your car’s emissions.
Oil, which is dark and filthy.
When oil is brand new, it is typically clean and a light to dark gold hue (depending on weight and thickness). Oil darkens with time as a result of usage. This is caused to heat, as well as pollutants and debris picked up when it is pushed through the engine. By checking the dipstick on a regular basis, you can keep track of how your engine oil’s color changes over time. It’s time to replace the oil if you lift the dipstick and see that it’s dark.
Engine Knocking/Noise
Lubrication is the main function of engine oil. When there isn’t enough oil in the engine, the moving components don’t receive the lubrication they need. This enables them to make actual touch with one other, which may result in a faint tapping or banging sound. If the amount of oil in the engine is low, you may hear noise from the lifters and/or cam bearings. Engine noise may also be caused by old oil that has lost its viscosity (ability to lubricate).
NOTE: This is not to be confused with “engine knock,” often known as “pinging,” which is produced by an improper air-to-fuel ratio. If you notice engine noise, check your oil level and condition, and get it replaced as soon as possible. This is a telltale indication that it’s time for an oil change. It’s possible that adding oil to the engine will make it safer to drive to the repair shop.
Smoke from the Exhaust
Your car’s exhaust will, in most instances, be almost imperceptible, but it will have a faint odor. In contrast to diesel engines, which generate black, soot-like exhaust, gasoline engines produce relatively little colored exhaust. During chilly weather, you may see a visible cloud coming from your exhaust; this is mainly water vapor, and it will disperse as the engine comes up to operating temperature. If you see blueish smoke rising from your exhaust, though, it’s an indication that something isn’t right.
Oil leaking into the engine and being burnt together with the gasoline is the most common source of blue smoke. Your engine will also be low on oil. It’s also possible that there’s an external oil leak, with the oil pouring onto the exhaust system. If your exhaust is grayish, it’s most likely due to an improper fuel-to-air ratio, which means your engine is burning “rich” – too much fuel is being combusted.
The Car Smells Like It’s Filled With Oil
If you smell oil inside your vehicle, it indicates you have an oil leak that’s pouring onto a hot portion of the engine or exhaust system and burning away. There are many places where oil may spill, including the following:
- Oil plug – This is the drain plug in the oil pan of your engine. It is removed and replaced for oil changes. It may leak oil if it is not tightened correctly or if the gasket has deteriorated (if present).
- Oil filter – The oil filter removes particulates from the oil as it flows through it, and it should be changed at every oil change. It is possible for the filter to leak oil if it is not correctly installed or has degraded. It’s also possible that the filter may be broken, resulting in an oil leak.
- Valve cover gasket – Oil may seep from the top of your engine, down the side, and around the edges of the valve cover gasket. You may have more than one valve cover gasket depending on the size of your engine.
- Oil sending unit (also known as a pressure switch) — Located in the rear of the engine, the oil sending unit (also known as a pressure switch) may leak oil down the block if the gasket is broken.
- Oil pan gasket – The oil pan gasket connects the oil pan to the engine’s bottom. It has the potential to leak at any point around its circle.
- Head gasket – A leaking head gasket may cause oil to flow down the engine’s head (and usually requires engine tear down to replace).
- Front/rear main seals – Depending on the drivetrain, a leaking front or rear main seal may cause engine oil to flow down the left or right side of the engine, or the front/back of the engine.
Many small oil leaks may be left alone as long as your technician keeps an eye on them at each oil change/maintenance appointment. If you smell burning oil in the inside of your vehicle, however, the leak is serious and has to be fixed right once. Failure to do so will result in engine damage, if not outright destruction. In certain instances, if the oil in the engine burns, it may cause a car fire.
On the dashboard, there’s an oil check light.
The check engine light, battery light, and other vital warning lights may be seen on your dashboard. It also has a light for checking the oil level. This red light is fashioned like an oil can, with a trickle from the spout. Because your vehicle is really informing you it needs an oil change, this is one of the simplest oil change signals to understand.
If this light turns on while you’re driving, pull over and switch off your engine as soon as it’s safe. The light may signify a variety of problems, but it usually illuminates when the engine’s oil pressure falls below safe limits. This is usually caused by a lack of oil in the engine. It may also indicate that the pump or transmitting unit is broken and needs to be replaced.
As soon as it is safe, check the oil level. If it’s low, you’ll need to replenish it with new oil. Crank the engine after adding oil to check if the light turns out. If this is the case, get the oil changed as soon as possible, and have the technician check for any leaks that may have caused the low oil situation.
If the light does not turn off, it is advisable to seek roadside help since it indicates a lack of oil pressure in the engine, which is most likely due to a broken oil pump. Some engine types can run with extremely low oil pressure without causing significant harm, but the majority of them cannot. It’s better to be cautious.
Reminder Light for Oil Change
New cars often have two oil lights, one of which is the red warning light mentioned above. The other is a warning light for an oil change. This oil change indicator light has nothing to do with the quantity of oil in your engine or the amount of oil pressure. It will turn on automatically at specific mileage intervals as a reminder that it is time to replace your oil. At each service, your technician should reset this light.
If the light has come on, it indicates you have exceeded the manufacturer’s suggested service interval miles or the technician did not reset the light during your last service. Check to check whether your windshield has an oil change sticker. Compare the mileage printed on it to the mileage on your odometer if there is one. If the odometer reads higher, you’ve missed your oil change window and should have it replaced as soon as possible. If the mileage on the placard is greater, the technician failed to reset the indicator.
Low Oil Levels
Knowing where your oil dipstick is situated and checking the level on a regular basis is critical for all vehicle owners. This enables you to monitor oil usage, color, and condition and prevent issues before they become severe. You should check your oil level at least once a week, but once a month is typically sufficient.
If the oil level on your dipstick is low, it may indicate a variety of problems. To begin with, it’s common for certain engines to consume a little quantity of oil between oil changes. The precise quantity varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model, and with time. For example, in certain Honda Accords from the 2000s, it’s common for the engine to consume up to a quart of oil between oil changes. This oil isn’t leaking; instead, it’s being burnt off.
You’ll need to top up the oil if it’s below the safe level on the oil dipstick (some dipsticks have full and safe markings, while others have hashmarks to show the safe range). The bottom mark on the dipstick usually indicates that the engine is a quart low. You may be able to get away with simply topping up if you’re inside the mileage range for your oil service.
It’s essential to get your oil changed if you’ve reached or exceeded your oil change mileage. Having the technician you hire check for oil leaks during the servicing is also critical. As previously said, some oil consumption is typical, but it may also be the result of a leaky gasket or other issue.
Over-travel
We rely on our cars to go to work, the supermarket, and other places. Like your annual holiday, we rely on them to carry us long distances. Long drives, on the other hand, tax the engine and its oil. Change your oil immediately before leaving and again when you return. But why?
Oil degrades faster at high temperatures than when used routinely. The oil will darken, absorb contaminants, and lose its lubricating capability faster. Change your oil before and after a long trip to avoid damaging the engine by driving with old oil that no longer lubricates.
If you own a used automobile, you must be extra cautious regarding oil changes due to the vehicle’s probable mileage. More frequent oil changes are recommended as your car’s odometer grows, and you should select high-mileage oil.
Stalling in a Car
Several fail-safes are built into many contemporary cars to assist safeguard the engine in harsh circumstances. One of these features is an automated cutoff when the oil pressure reaches a particular level or the oil level falls too low (note that this is not true for all cars). The engine will stall and die as a result of this. Engine stalling, on the other hand, is very harmful to the engine, since it may cause damage to the pistons, head, and other components. If your automobile continues to stall after being properly lubricated with new oil, it may be time to consider purchasing or leasing a new vehicle.
Overheating
Low oil levels are seldom linked to overheating, despite the fact that they should be. Insufficient coolant is typically noticeable, but low oil may also cause the engine to overheat. Even if your coolant level is good, this may happen. If the engine lacks insufficient oil, it will continue to heat up since it will not be able to cool. As a result, the engine coolant has a tougher time removing extra heat, and your temperature indicator will begin to rise (note that your temperature gauge indicates coolant temperature, not oil temperature).
If your coolant gauge begins to rise to dangerous levels (yellow or red on the gauge), pull over to a safe location and let it cool. Check the oil level while the engine is cooling. If it’s low, you’ll need to top it up before heading to the mechanic. Check your coolant level as well, but wait until the engine is fully cold before doing so. Hot coolant may erupt from the reservoir or radiator, resulting in severe burns.
Check the coolant level once the engine has cooled and fill it off if required. If your engine overheats, don’t run it since it may cause severe damage, including breaking the engine block, which effectively kills the engine.
AFTER THE OIL CHANGE YOU CAN RESET THE OIL MAINTENANCE LIGHT, PLEASE CLICK THIS IMAGE BELOW TO LEARN ON HOW TO RESET THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT.
Thank you -Erwin