18/07/2023
WARNINGS AND SIGNS THAT YOUR CAR NEEDS OIL CHANGE AND OIL TOP UP
1 DARK AND DIRTY OIL
When oil is new, it is mostly GOLD in color (see bottom pic, far left). However, as the oil is pumped through the engine, it gets dark and dirty (see top pic, far right). This is due to heat as well as debris and impurities collected in the engine. This can be checked through the engine oil dip stick. CHANGE your engine oil.
2 LOW OIL LEVEL ON DIP STICK
You can take note that the oil level is low through the engine dip stick (see top pic, center). With most of the the cars that we have here, engine oil level should be checked at least once every week. TOP UP your engine oil.
3 OIL CHECK LIGHT
The oil check light will come ON when oil pressure in your engine is low (see bottom pic, left). This will mostly happen when the oil level is low. However, this light will also come ON when the OIL PUMP is faulty. The moment this light comes ON, STOP the car and call for assistance. Most cars will incur engine damage if low oil pressure goes unchecked. TOP UP engine oil or CHECK oil pump.
4 OIL CHANGE REMINDER LIGHT
This light is available in upmarket and some newer cars (see bottom pic, right). This light will automatically come ON when a certain mileage is reached, warning the driver to change oil. CHANGE your engine oil.
5 ENGINE NOISE OR KNOCKING
The primary function of engine oil is to lubricate metal engine parts that come into contact with other parts. When the engine oil is low, the unlubricated parts start knocking against each other, making a knocking noise. TOP UP your engine oil.
6 OVERHEATING
If the oil level is low in the engine, the oil gets very hot as it has no space to cool. This will cause the engine coolant to overwork as it tries to bring the excess heat down. A rise in the temperature gauge will be noticed even with enough coolant in the engine. TOP UP engine oil.
7 OIL SMELLING INSIDE THE CAR
The moment you there is oil smell inside your car, know that there is an oil leak somewhere in your engine. The smell is there because the oil is dropping on a hot part and it's burning. CHECK your oil level and TOP UP.
8 ENGINE STALLING
This mostly happens in modern cars. The moment the oil level drops the engine will shut down. This is done in order to avoid excess engine damage. Try to force start such a car and you are bound to damage the engine. CHANGE or TOP UP the engine oil.
9 EXTRA LONG TRIPS
On extra long trips, whereby the engine oil is hot for prolonged periods than normal, the oil degrades quickly than normal as it has no cooling down moments. It is pertinent to put fresh oil in your car before and after an extra long trip. (Guys traveling to Dar to collect cars take note). CHANGE your engine oil.
10 YOUR OIL CHANGE/SERVICE STICKER
Every good mechanic will stick the next oil change/service mileage sticker on the side of your dashboard. In return, every good driver will ensure that oil is indeed changed by the time the stated mileage is reached. CHANGE your engine oil.
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