Having a regular oil change is critical for keeping your vehicle running well. Besides staying on top of this necessary step every 3,000 to 4,000 miles, there are a few ways to detect that it is time to bring in your car or truck for auto service. Here are the top five signs to watch for.

How to Know You Need an Oil Change

1. Service Light

One of the easiest ways to know you need an oil change is paying attention to lights on your dashboard. In some vehicles the check engine or service light can indicate any number of troubles, but one of those items may be a need for new oil. Newer vehicles have an oil light that specifically turns on when you are due for an oil change or any other auto service that involves this lubricant, such as mechanical trouble associated with low oil or a problematic oil pump.

2. Grimy Oil

Even though there are filters in your car that collect debris, these devices get clogged over time if they are not changed out periodically. With nowhere to go, dirt and grime will seep into your oil, which should be a light brown color and not dark and chunky with gunk. To view the shade of your oil, pop the hood, pull out the dipstick, and wipe off the oil onto a clean rag.

3. Loud Engine

If your engine is louder than it should be, it is missing the lubrication it needs to run smoothly. Without fresh oil moving throughout the vehicle, parts in the engine will rub and push against each other, leading to a rumbling, knocking, or grinding sound as you drive.

4. Clicking Start Up

The valve train controls the way the valves in the engine function. When dirty, old oil is moving through your car’s valve train, you may hear a clicking, ticking noise at start up because sludgy oil cannot move as smoothly through your system.

5. Friction & Slow Acceleration

A car in need of an oil change will feel rough when idling, with friction causing a shaking sensation while you sit in the car. As you drive, you will also feel your car slow to accelerate since poor lubrication is trudging slowly throughout your system.

When it is time for an oil change in the Cincinnati, OH, area, head over to Engel’s Auto Service & Towing. For more than 50 years, this auto repair shop has been the top choice for engine tuneups, brake repair, and other necessary auto maintenance to keep your vehicle up and running. They also provide 24-hour towing when you need roadside assistance. Call (513) 385-8246 or visit them online for a full list of services.