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How can I tell when my engine oil additives needs changing?
Oil is the lifeblood of an automobile engine, and regular engine oil additives are the key to ensuring proper engine operation and prolonging service life. Many car owners often wonder whether to change the oil based on mileage, time, or its condition. Today, we’ll explore how to accurately determine when to replace the oil, ensuring your car stays in top condition!
1.How often does oil need to be changed?
Motor oil plays multiple roles in the engine such as lubrication, cleaning, cooling, sealing and rust prevention. With the passage of time and increased mileage, the oil will gradually deteriorate, oxidize and lose its original performance. If you continue to use deteriorated oil, it may lead to increased wear and tear of the engine and even cause malfunctions.
2.To Determine Whether The Oil Needs To Be Replaced Method
1.How long engine oil last?
Each type of motor oil has a recommended replacement mileage, as follows:
- Mineral oil: It is recommended to change it every 5000 – 7500 kilometers.
- Semi-synthetic oil: the replacement cycle is 7500 – 10000 kilometers.
- Synthetic Engine oil: can be extended to 10,000 – 15,000 kilometers.
Harsh environments, such as high temperatures, high humidity, or dusty conditions, accelerate oil aging, requiring more frequent replacements.
2. Observe the color and texture of the oil.
Fresh motor oil is usually a clear golden yellow color that darkens with increased use. If the oil shows the following conditions, it needs to be replaced:
- The color becomes dark or cloudy: It means the oil has absorbed a lot of impurities.
- Thickened or thin texture: Abnormal viscosity indicates a decline in oil performance.
- There are obvious impurities: such as graininess or sludge.
3. Judging by feel
Take out the dipstick and twist a small amount of oil between your fingers:
- If you feel poor lubrication, granularity or astringency, it means that there are more impurities in the oil and it needs to be replaced.
- Normal oil should have good lubricity and no friction.
4. Smell
Open the hood, pull out the dipstick and smell it close to your nose: If there is a strong sour odor, the oil has oxidized and deteriorated, and needs to be changed in time.
3. The Common Misunderstanding Of Oil Replacement
Misconception 1: the oil color becomes black must be replaced
Many believe black engine oil indicates deterioration, but this isn’t always true. Modern oils contain detergents that clean engine impurities, suspending them in the oil and turning it black. As long as the oil’s viscosity and performance remain intact, replacement isn’t necessary.
Correct approach: In addition to observing the color, you also need to combine the texture of the oil, smell and test paper testing to make a comprehensive judgment.
Myth 2: Change the oil only according to mileage car burning oil.
Although the oil replacement cycle is usually based on mileage as a reference, but the actual use of the vehicle’s driving environment and driving habits will also affect the service life of the oil. For example, frequent starting and stopping, idling for a long time or often driving in poor conditions will accelerate the aging of the oil.
Correct practice: Combine the mileage, the use of the environment and engine performance to make a comprehensive judgment.
Myth 3: The more oil, the better
Some car owners think that the more oil they add, the better, even more than the “MAX” scale of the dipstick. But in fact, too much oil will lead to increased pressure inside the engine, increase fuel consumption, and may even damage the engine.
The correct practice is to maintain the oil level between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks on the dipstick.
Myth 4: Fully synthetic motor oil can extend the replacement cycle indefinitely
The performance of fully synthetic motor oil is indeed better than mineral oil and semi-synthetic oil, but even fully synthetic motor oil has a certain service life. If not replaced for a long time, the performance of the oil will also decline, and may even lead to engine failure.
Correct practice: Even fully synthetic motor oil is recommended to be changed every 10,000 – 15,000 kilometers.
4.Summary
Motor oil is vital for the engine. Properly assessing when to replace it helps extend engine life, enhance performance, and improve fuel economy. Owners can determine the right timing by considering the oil’s color, texture, level, mileage, and usage conditions.
I hope this article can help you better grasp the knowledge of engine oil maintenance and avoid unnecessary engine failure. If you have other questions, welcome to leave a message in the comment section, we discuss together!
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