What Causes Lack of Power After an Oil Change?
3 Answers
Here are the reasons for lack of power after an oil change: Oil Viscosity and Quality: Choosing the right oil viscosity for your vehicle model is crucial. If the oil viscosity is too thin, it will definitely affect the oil's performance, impacting both the engine's operation and power output. Additionally, the quality of the oil must be carefully considered, as inferior oil often lacks reliable quality assurance, which can lead to sluggish acceleration without obvious warning. Oil Fill Level: If too much oil is added, the excess can easily enter the combustion chamber (due to excessive internal pressure), forming gummy carbon deposits. While the initial impact may not be noticeable, over time, the buildup of carbon deposits will worsen, not only reducing the vehicle's overall performance but also clogging the catalytic converter, leading to excessive emissions (and increased fuel consumption). In severe cases, it may even cause oil burning. Oil Filter: If the oil filter is not replaced during the oil change, it can also result in sluggish performance. The oil filter's primary function is to remove contaminants, sludge, and moisture from the oil. If not replaced regularly, even with fresh oil, the pollutants from the old filter can re-enter the new oil, compromising its effectiveness.
It's quite common to experience sluggish acceleration after an oil change. I've seen this many times in my over ten years of working on cars. First, the wrong oil viscosity might have been selected. If your manual specifies 5W-30 but you used 10W-40, the thicker oil increases internal engine resistance, naturally slowing acceleration. Second, the oil fill level is crucial; overfilling beyond the dipstick's upper limit causes the crankshaft to churn the oil, increasing load and making the engine feel weaker. Underfilling leads to low oil pressure, inadequate lubrication, and increased friction, which also hampers performance. Sometimes, not replacing the oil filter or installing it incorrectly can block oil passages and restrict flow. New oil might also expose existing issues, such as internal engine wear that was masked by the old oil but becomes more noticeable with fresh oil. I recommend immediately checking the oil level to ensure it's midway on the dipstick and verifying the correct viscosity grade. If the problem persists, take the car to a shop for a thorough inspection of the fuel injection system and air filter. Don't push it, as this could lead to engine damage.
I also experienced sluggish acceleration after an oil change when I did a DIY oil change myself. The problem turned out to be overfilling the engine oil; having too much oil beyond the limit made the engine run sluggishly, and I felt delayed throttle response. Looking back, it might have been because I didn't replace the oil filter, and the old one was clogging the oil flow. If you use a low-quality oil brand during the oil change, impurities can affect performance. It could also be due to insufficient oil level, as low oil levels lead to poor lubrication. For beginners, I recommend parking the car first and checking the dipstick when the engine is cold; wipe it clean and measure three times to get an average reading. If the oil level is normal, check if the air filter is dirty and affecting airflow. If the problem persists, don't force it—ask a friend or take it to a repair shop for a check. Safety first; don't let small issues turn into big troubles.
