How to Determine if the Car's Engine Oil Needs to Be Changed?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if the engine oil needs to be changed are as follows: 1. Observe with an oil test paper: Take a small amount of oil from the oil dipstick and drop it onto the oil test paper. Let it sit overnight, allowing the oil to fully spread on the paper. If the edges between the oil ring, sediment ring, and diffusion ring are more pronounced, it indicates significant degradation of the oil's performance, and it should be changed. 2. Strong light inspection method: Take a small amount of oil with the dipstick and observe the oil drop under strong light. If impurities are found in the oil, it needs to be changed; if no debris is found on the oil drop, it can continue to be used.
From my experience, there are two main things to focus on: mileage and oil condition. You should consider changing the oil after driving 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers since the last maintenance, especially if you frequently get stuck in traffic. I regularly pull out the dipstick to check—normally, the oil should be transparent amber. If it turns black like soy sauce or feels gritty to the touch, it means it's already in poor condition. I remember last time when I checked and found the oil level below the minimum mark, along with a burnt smell, so I immediately drove to get it changed. Different oils have varying lifespans—mineral oil usually doesn’t last half a year, while full synthetic oil can hold up for about a year. Paying attention to these details is much more effective than rigidly following maintenance schedules.
