Can Oil Sludge Occur in Automatic Cars?

Oil sludge is a term used to refer to oil sludge or dirt that comes from oxidation or contamination of engine oil. This can happen in all types of vehicles, including oil sludge in automatic cars.

The result of this contamination will settle or thicken, causing the oil to change form into something like porridge or hot chocolate. So, how can something like this happen?

Causes and Signs of Oil Sludge in Automatic Cars

Oil sludge seems to have become a disease of used cars, especially those whose owners rarely change the oil. Therefore, it is important to know the causes and signs of cars experiencing oil sludge.

Is Oil Sludge Possible in Automatic Cars?

The good news for automatic vehicle owners is that they can be somewhat reassured. The likelihood of an automatic car experiencing oil sludge is very small compared to manual transmission vehicles. There are several contributing factors, namely:

The oil in the automatic car's sump rarely thickens, as the friction occurring in automatic transmissions is not as great as in engines.
This friction also minimizes dirt residue that can trigger deposits or buildup in the gearbox.
The temperature in automatic cars tends to be more stable, so the oil is rarely exposed to high engine heat.
The gearbox in automatic transmission cars is designed to be more sloped, making sedimentation rare.
The oil reservoir in automatic cars is more evenly distributed, resulting in circulation that can occur thoroughly.
External air contamination almost never occurs, as the gearbox has a sealed concept.

Causes of Oil Sludge

However, oil sludge in automatic cars can still occur. This condition does not only depend on the condition of the gearbox but is also influenced by the following factors:

Car owners are lazy to change the engine oil, so it has exceeded the maximum usage limit, which is 10,000 kilometers. Once past the usage limit, the effectiveness of the oil as a lubricant will significantly decrease.
Choosing the wrong engine oil that does not match the vehicle's specifications. This is because the density level in car engines is not always the same, depending on the manufacturer's specifications.
Being a victim of fraud, as the oil used turns out to be counterfeit.
Never changing the oil filter, thus reducing its ability to filter dirt.

Signs of a Car Experiencing Oil Sludge

Unfortunately, the oil is inside the engine, making it quite difficult to recognize the signs of oil sludge. However, this does not mean there is no way; here are some checking methods:

Open the gearbox cover, then touch the back of the cover with your finger. If there is a deposit like jelly, it means oil sludge has occurred.
Peek through the gearbox hole; if deposits or something like jelly are visible, change the oil immediately. To see more clearly, use a flashlight to illuminate the inside of the gearbox.
Run the engine for a while, then check using a dipstick. If there is dirt sticking to the dipstick, it is highly likely that oil sludge has occurred inside.

How to Deal with Oil Sludge

The first step to dealing with oil sludge is, of course, to avoid some of the causes mentioned above. Not only by conducting regular checks, but also ensure that the car receives proper maintenance.

Don’t forget to change the oil whenever the validity period has expired or when the car engine feels uncomfortable. If oil sludge has already occurred, the owner can clean the engine, commonly referred to as engine conditioner or engine flush.

The goal is to clean all dirt or deposits, not just in the gearbox but also in other parts. However, do not perform an oil flush by yourself.

If you do not have more knowledge about engines, it is better to leave it to the experts. To avoid waiting in line for service, you can make an appointment through this link.