How to Know When to Change the Engine Oil?
3 Answers
Methods to test whether the engine oil needs to be changed: First, prepare a blank test paper, take out the engine oil from the engine and drop it onto the test paper for observation. If the oil shows layering and multiple layers during the test, it indicates that a change is needed because normal new oil will not show layering. The following are the steps to change the engine oil: 1. Remove the oil cap. 2. Place an oil pan under the drain plug. 3. Use a wrench to loosen the drain plug and drain the oil. 4. After the oil is completely drained, reassemble the drain plug and tighten it to the specified torque (55±5 N.m). 5. Slowly add oil through the oil filler hole up to the upper limit on the dipstick. 6. Use an absorbent cloth to wipe off any spilled oil and cover the oil filler cap. 7. Start the engine and let it idle for 1 minute, then shut it off and wait for 5 minutes before checking the dipstick again.
I went to the repair shop to change the oil recently, and the mechanic taught me a few simple ways to check it. The most straightforward method is to pull out the dipstick and check the oil's condition—if it's as black as soy sauce, sticks to the dipstick, and has particles of impurities, it's definitely time for a change. Normal oil should be a clear amber color. Also, pay attention to changes in the engine sound—when lubrication is insufficient, cold starts will produce a dry, metallic grinding noise. Mileage is also crucial—the manual for my German car states that the oil must be changed every 8,000 kilometers. Additionally, many new cars now have an oil life percentage indicator on the dashboard; when it drops to 10%, act promptly. Never slack on oil changes—last time, my neighbor delayed it by 3,000 kilometers and ended up spending over 8,000 on a major engine repair.
When it comes to oil change intervals, I believe it depends on specific driving habits. For someone like me who frequently drives on construction sites, the oil needs to be changed every two months due to heavy dust accelerating oil degradation. For city commuters, you can follow the maintenance manual, but it's best to check 1,000 kilometers earlier. Here's a practical trick: put two drops of used oil on a tissue. If the oil ring spreads with obvious black sediment bands, like coffee stains, the lubricity has definitely deteriorated. New cars with oil monitoring systems are more convenient, but don't rely entirely on them. Last time, my friend's Japanese car didn't even alert when the sensor failed. Oh, and be sure to check the oil before long trips in summer—high temperatures can double the degradation rate.
