Oil Change near Bronx NY

How Do I Know If I Need an Oil Change?

There are several ways to tell if your vehicle is in need of an oil change. Usually, a car will require an oil change anywhere from every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every six months, depending on your driving habits.

Additionally, your vehicle will let you know when it’s in need of an oil change. Here are a few common signs you may notice:

• Rattling engine noises. Hearing some clanking and odd noises under the hood? These sounds are a big indication that your car’s in need of an oil change. Engine oil acts as your vehicle’s lubrication, so, when the well is dry, the parts will let you know.
• Oil smell. Often times, drivers will begin to smell an oil leak from inside the car, alerting them that their engine oil is in need of a change.
• Check engine light or oil change light appears. While the most obvious of signs, newer vehicles will often have a check engine or oil change light that illuminates on the dashboard when it’s time for an oil change.

How Can I Check My Engine Oil?

While the signs we’ve discussed are usually common, you can also check your engine oil regularly with a few easy steps. Just grab a paper towel, a few spare moments in your day, and you’re ready to go!

First, be sure that your vehicle has been off and settled for some time. It’s easiest to check your oil in the morning since your car has had the night to cool down. If you check your oil right after the vehicle has been turned off, you might get an inaccurate result of your oil inspection.

Once you’ve determined that your vehicle has sat long enough, pop open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. Usually, you can find it based on its brightly colored handle. With your handy paper towel or rag, wipe off the oil on the dipstick. Replace the dipstick and repeat this process again.

The dipstick will show you how high or low your oil levels are as well as the quality of the oil. This will be a big factor in deciding whether or not your vehicle is in need of an oil change.