Engine oil is the lifeblood of every car. Oil is required to lubricate the moving parts and components of the engine. It will also help in operating them smoothly. All types of engines need oil to function properly. It doesn?t matter if you are using a generator, motorcycle or lawnmower. If it has an engine it should be lubricated with oil.
An engine is filled with components that are continuously moving and rubbing together. The constant rubbing creates friction and heat. Oil needs to flow through the moving parts so that it can absorb heat. This will help prevent overheating.
Top 10 Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change and Tune-Up
There are many different signs that indicate that your car needs an oil change and a possible tune-up. When you take your car for an oil change, the service professional will inspect the vehicle. They will provide additional recommendations on what should be done. You don?t have to depend on them at all times as they might not be able to find every issue with the car.
- It is important that you pay attention to the signs that indicate that you need a tune-up. The top 10 signs that indicate that your car needs an oil change or tune-up include:Car Stalling ? If your car begins to stall when you are driving, it is an indication of a small or big problem. If you have bad spark plugs or a clogged fuel filter, it is a small problem. This problem can be fixed with a simple tune-up.
- Difficulty Starting Engine ? If you are consistently having problems when turning on the engine, you might have to replace the battery. You will find that the engine hesitates a bit before it starts. The lights on the dashboard also tend to dim a bit. This means you need a tune-up that involves changing a new battery.
- Warning Lights ? The sensors and computers in cars make it easy to detect a problem before it gets worse. If an indicator light illuminates on the dashboard, you can use the owner?s manual to see what it means.
The lights warn you about all kinds of problems. This includes transmission malfunction, taillight burned out, low battery and much more. The oil light illuminates if the vehicle requires an oil change. In some cars, the engine light illuminates if the car requires an oil change.
- Variation on Flat Surfaces ? If the vehicle vibrates on road or flat surfaces there could be many reasons for this. You might have to balance the tires or if the treads are worn out, you should get new ones. It could be due to low pressure in the tires. It can also be due to a faulty universal joint.
- Overheating ? If there is not enough oil in the engine or if it had not been changed for a while, it will not be able to lubricate the engine components properly. The engine will heat up and then overheat. Changing the oil will help fix the problem.
- Loud Noises ? Engine oil gets worn and old after a while. Car manufacturers recommend you to change the oil every 5,000 miles. If you have old oil in your car then it is most likely to be thick and dirty.
The thick and dirty oil will make it hard to lubricate the engine components. Lack of lubrication will result in the engine making loud noises. You should change the oil immediately.
- Oil Smell ? If the interior cabin of your car starts to smell like oil, it indicates a problem with oil. This can mean an oil leak and burn due to an overheated engine. You will need to fix the overheating problem and change the oil.
- Exhaust Smoke ? Vapor emitting from the tailpiece of a car is a common sight in cold environments. If you see smoke coming out of it, it could be due to an oil leak. When there is less oil in the engine, it doesn?t lubricate the components properly and the smoke could be a result of the leak. Get the leak fixed and replace the oil.
- Dark Oil ? Clean oil has a bright amber color. When oil becomes dirty and old, residue particles build-up in the engine. This makes the oil appear dark. Check the color of the oil by dipping a dipstick into the oil of the engine. You will have to change the oil if it is dark.
- Shifting Hesitation ? You should have no problems when shifting between gears if you are driving an automatic vehicle. If there is a lag or hesitation when shifting gear, it means that you need new transmission filters or fluid. It can also be an indication of a bigger problem. You will be able to detect the problem when you take the car for a tune-up.
What is a tune-up?
Tune-up often relates to vehicles. Most car owners assume tune-up means getting the windshield washed or getting an oil change. The fact is there is much more to tune-up than this.
A proper tune-up means getting all parts and components of the vehicle inspected. The parts and components are replaced if they are worn out. The parts that are checked and replaced if necessary, include air filter, brakes, belts, distributor cap, hoses, fuel filter, spark plugs, PCV valve, and wires.
The service professional will also check ignition timing, sensors, idle mixture, and idle speed. Adjustments will be made if any of these areas are not functioning efficiently.
