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Who doesn’t want a vehicle that doesn’t break down in the middle of nowhere? That may sound euphoric, but this is indeed possible if you have a proper maintenance schedule for your vehicle.
Among the other maintenance aspects, lubrication holds a crucial role in engine performance. After all, it not only lubricates but also cleans and cools the engine. Given the criticality of lubricant in engines, it is important to change the oil on a frequent basis. However, if you have recently invested in a vehicle, you might find it difficult to understand the lubrication needs of your vehicle.
In this article, you will find out the unmissable signs that your vehicle needs lubrication.
What Are The Top Signs Vehicles Show For Needing Lubrication?
Numerous drivers depend on mileage to check on the lubrication needs of their vehicles. However, there are other determining factors governing the demand for oil in engines. So, rather than guessing for your vehicle, it is better to read the signs and act accordingly to have a healthy vehicle.
Don’t Miss The Obvious Warning:
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs light change is to look at the oil change light. When your vehicle light illuminates, it can help you detect that the need to change the oil in your vehicle. The oil check light is usually orange in colour and is commonly known as an oil change indicator.
Besides determining that your vehicle needs an oil change, it also glows as a warning when your oil is leaking. After you are done with the oil maintenance, you can reset the oil change light by inserting the ignition key and turning it in the ON position without switching on the engine. You can depress your gas pedal three times for the system to reset. You can check the light after turning off the ignition and turning it on.
Listen To The Rumbling And Knocking Of Your Engine:
Engine oil acts as a protective layer for your vehicle by eliminating metal-to-metal collision. This helps the engine to work properly without making any noise. However, when the oil is absent from the engine, you will start to notice the rattling sound of the auto parts.
When the oil turns poorly textured, thin, or old, you might start hearing sounds every time you drive your vehicle. If you continue to drive with bad oil quality, it can cause issues with the engine. After oil changing, you will notice that your vehicle will turn silent and function in a proper manner.
Check Out The Colour Of The Oil:
You might have observed that the colour of oil that you use for your vehicle is amber. In addition to it, pure engine oil is translucent. However, after it mixes with the particles and gets collected in the engine, it gets darker. When the oil begins to get dirty, it doesn’t show any obvious signs. This makes it crucial for you to keep a close eye on the colour of the engine oil. You can take monthly checks.
In order to do so, you can use a dipstick to check whether the engine oil is in working condition or not. Check for the consistency of the oil. If the oil has picked up some liquid gritty particles, it can deteriorate the functioning of your vehicle’s engine. The best you can do for your engine is to change the oil.
Smell For The Oil:
One of the crucial determiners of an oil change is the smell of oil. Though it may not be a precise indicator, it can help bring the fault to the fore. If you can smell the oil from outside of your car, it might signify a leak. Another indicator that your vehicle requires maintenance with regards to oil is when it emits fumes.
The underlying reason behind smoky fumes and oil leaks can be varied. However, it states a problem with the engine and oil. If you encounter any of these problems, you should immediately schedule an appointment for maintenance and get your oil checked for change requirements.
Look At The Mileage:
If you have recently taken your vehicle out and have driven many miles, your vehicle would have used a significant amount of oil. In such a case, without the oil change or addition of it, your vehicle might begin to rattle due to internal clashes between equipment.
The best you can do for your vehicle is to get your oil changed after every 4500 Km mark your vehicle travels. This helps keep your vehicle healthy. You should do it for the old vehicles. If you have recently bought a new vehicle, you can change the oil at every 10,000 Km.
Feel The Vibrations:
Irregular oil levels can change the quality of a ride. When your vehicle has low oil levels, it causes a high level of friction within the engine. Due to increased friction, your vehicle may not be able to function properly, thereby causing it to vibrate abnormally.
When you encounter abnormal vibrations, you should get your engine oil checked and changed at the earliest. A delay in oil changing can lead to damaged engine parts due to high friction in the internal mechanism of the vehicle.
Hear For The Ticking Sound:
The moment your start your vehicle, the oil begins circulating in the engine. However, when there is any kind of change in the motor oil, it may take up more effort and time. In such a case, you might hear a ticking sound while the engine is warming up. The noise that you might be hearing might come from the valves that push the oil towards the other auto parts.
The best possible thing you can do in this situation is to get the oil changed before it your vehicle is damaged any further. Upon lubricating your vehicle, you will see a drastic improvement in the noise levels, indicating that your vehicle is in the right shape.
In some cases, you might experience a single warning sign. While it is also possible to receive multiple warnings all at once. In either case, it is recommended that you check for the oil levels and texture and get the oil changed at once.
What Are The Consequences Of Ignoring Oil Changes?
Life is busy–we get it. But if your vehicle has a busier life, it might start ageing prematurely just like us, the humans. Since oil changing is a basic maintenance regime, it is often ignored. However, avoiding the lubrication needs of your vehicle can put you in a deeper puddle with grave consequences.
Below are some of the serious consequences that could show up when you don’t change your engine’s oil regularly:
Wear Down:
The auto parts begin to wear out because of the lack of oil circulating in the engine. The primary function of oil is to reduce friction and, in turn, decrease the wear and tear of the auto parts. If these parts are lubricated, they run smoothly and provides additional life to your vehicle. Hence, a vehicle requires its oil like a body needs lifeblood.
Build-up In The Engine:
Since the very function of the oil is to keep circulating in the system, it picks up the debris and dirt. If the contaminated oil is not changed at a regular interval, it thickens and eventually gets clogged into the oil filter. That is not it. If this contaminated oil makes its way into the filter and moves to the relief valve, the engine will keep on circulating the oil in the entire mechanism. This is how the engine gets deposited with the contaminated oil and can lead to engine failure.
Loss Of Viscosity:
When we say the oil levels are low in the engine, it also means that oil is gradually losing its viscosity. Viscosity determines the amount of protective layer applied to the auto parts by the oil. When the oil loses its viscosity, the auto parts are exposed to heat. The heat produced in the engine increases and causes the oil to thin. If the oil is still not replaced, the auto parts are overheated and stop working abruptly.
Whether you own a new vehicle or an old one, if you want to make your vehicle investment worth, you will need to clock in the maintenance schedule. You can contact us to know more about the oil and lubrication we offer for maintaining your vehicle at your home.