What are the solutions for feeling insufficient power after an oil change?
2 Answers
The reasons and solutions for feeling insufficient power after an oil change are as follows: 1. Due to prolonged use, the old oil deteriorated, causing its viscosity to decrease, which reduced the engine's movement resistance. The new oil has higher viscosity than the old one, so you may feel increased fuel consumption or insufficient power. Simply switch back to the original oil. 2. It could be due to the car engine itself, where insufficient engine power is the cause. The engine needs to be inspected. 3. The oil filter might be faulty, clogged, or ineffective. Therefore, it's generally recommended to replace the oil filter along with the new oil. 4. If the engine lubrication system hasn't been cleaned for too long, deposits accumulate. Changing to new oil may flush out some impurities, suspending them in the oil and clogging the oil filter, leading to insufficient power. Cleaning the engine lubrication system will resolve this. 5. Pay attention to the amount of oil added. Adding too much or too little oil can both cause insufficient power, which will improve after the second oil change. Either top up the oil or remove some oil.
After changing the oil myself, the car felt like it was dragging a weight, especially sluggish at startup. Checking the dipstick revealed I'd overfilled it—the oil level was above the max mark. This increases internal engine resistance, affecting power output. The fix? Use a clean hose and syringe to remove excess oil until it's at the correct level. If you used overly thick oil (e.g., 10W-40 when 5W-30 is specified), replace it with the right grade promptly. Don’t judge new oil too soon—drive 20-30 km to let it circulate and adapt; sometimes issues resolve themselves. I’ve also encountered air trapped in the system, which a highway drive can purge. For maintenance, always use oil matched to your vehicle to minimize issues and keep the engine running smoothly.
