These are 5 signs that can be used as a guideline for changing oil.
Many are still confused, especially friends who have just acquired a car, about when to replace the engine oil. Engine oil is like the heart of your car's engine. Oil is one of the most important components in a car. If the oil is old, it can affect the car's performance, and if it runs out, it can have fatal consequences, such as the engine overheating and your car potentially breaking down.
On average, car manufacturers recommend oil changes based on how far the car has traveled. For newer cars, the recommended figure is usually 10,000 kilometers, while for older cars, it is around five thousand km.
However, this cannot be a standard, especially if your car is rarely used. So, to know when it is best to change the engine oil, you can look for five signs that you should be aware of when changing your car's oil.
1. Check the oil color
The color of the oil determines when it should or should not be changed. Therefore, it is advisable to frequently check the color of your car's oil. If the color is black and thin, then that indicates the oil needs to be changed quickly.
2. The engine feels rough
Another sign that indicates your car's oil needs to be changed soon is the roughness of the engine. If you feel that your engine runs rougher than usual, or in other words, is not as smooth as it used to be, then that is a sign that your car's oil needs to be changed as soon as possible.
3. Check the oil change reminder card
Usually, the workshop will install or provide a reminder schedule card after an oil change, which can serve as a reference for when to change the oil. They will recommend that the engine oil needs to be changed every 5,000 km, although there are some new cars today that recommend a distance of 10,000 km for the oil change interval.
4. Car warning to change oil
In newer cars, there is a warning sign near the steering wheel to change the oil, which will light up if the oil pressure in the car's engine is too low. This sign is very serious and needs to be heeded; if ignored, the car's engine may stall.
5. Check the engine oil dipstick
Here, you should first ensure that your car's engine is cold. After that, open your car's hood; there is a dipstick connected to the oil tank. This tool is used to determine how much oil is still available in the tank. If it does not meet the standard, it is better to fill the oil immediately.
