How to Determine if Engine Oil Needs to Be Replaced?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if engine oil needs to be replaced: 1. Smell Test: Open the vehicle's front hood, pull out the dipstick and smell it. If there is a strong sour odor, it indicates the oil has deteriorated and should be replaced promptly; 2. Finger Rub Test: Take a small amount of used oil and rub it between your fingers repeatedly. Normally, it should feel frictionless and lubricating. If it feels less viscous, contains particulate impurities, or even feels gritty, it should be replaced immediately. Engine oil serves to lubricate the gears in the engine. If a significant amount of oil is depleted, leading to insufficient oil levels, friction between the gears will increase, resulting in decreased power output. Similarly, the engine noise will also increase, and the quality of the oil plays a role as well.
As a long-time driver, I've found several simple methods to determine when an oil change is needed. The most common approach is to refer to the maintenance manual, which typically recommends changing oil every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers or every six months, depending on the vehicle model and oil type. I make it a habit to regularly open the engine compartment in my garage and pull out the dipstick to check the engine oil: if the oil has turned pitch black like ink or feels less viscous, it indicates excessive contaminants. Another handy trick is to listen to the engine sound – if it's noticeably louder or rougher than usual, it might be due to insufficient lubrication. I recommend using an oil test strip; if the diffusion edge appears blurry with a dark ring, it's time for a change. Don't forget to check the dashboard – some newer vehicles have an Oil Life monitoring light as a reminder. Neglecting oil changes over time increases engine wear and may even lead to malfunctions, so developing a regular inspection routine is crucial for both cost savings and safety.
