An important element of a car is the oil. If it’s keeping the engine cool or lubricating components to keep from grinding against each other, the engine oil is the lifeline for your car. The engine oil helps the engine in numerous ways. It helps shield the engine by keeping it clean from dirt, which defends the engine’s operation. Oil reduces friction and wear, which can also improve the fuel performance of your vehicle. Lastly, it reduces the heat within the engine and redistributes it to other areas of the engine.
Regularly testing the oil level can help keep the driver upkeep proper oil levels and help safekeep oil health. To start the process, it is a best practice to check the oil when the engine is cooled to not touch the hot engine parts. When checking the oil level, most dipsticks have lines to display if the oil levels are low and need to be topped off. Also when using the dipstick, you can look at the oil color. If the oil is light in color and smooth, it shouldn’t be changed. However, if the oil appears sludgy and dark, then it’s best to change it.
You may have a leak if your dipstick consistently shows low engine oil levels. There are numerous ways to check for oil leakage, which is integral because a leak could cause harm to the vehicle’s engine. If there are dark puddles under your car, it could be a result of the oil pan leaking oil. The smell of burning oil or smoke from the engine may also be an essential indicator of an engine oil leak. Also, the engine overheating could be another product of an oil leak.
Learning when to replace your car’s engine oil is crucial to negate damage to the engine in your vehicle. While some may recommend a short engine oil change interval from 3,000 to 5,000 miles, it’s recommended to have your oil changed every six months or 5,000 to 7,000 miles, whichever one happens first. However, if you are worried about when to have an oil change you should reach out to our service department for more accurate info about your vehicle.
Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston invites you to schedule your next oil change at our Houston area service center. Our factory trained Hyundai technicians are certified to service all manufacturers’ vehicles. Schedule your next visit online or in-person.
