What does it mean when the car displays 'Please change engine oil immediately'?
3 Answers
The message 'Please change engine oil immediately' displayed on your car means that it is now necessary to refill the engine oil. Here is an introduction about engine oil: 1. As a consumable, engine oil will continuously decrease. Some car owners receive a prompt to change the engine oil during use, indicating that the current oil level has fallen below the standard. Continuing to drive for an extended period under these conditions can damage the engine. 2. During the operation of a car engine, engine oil plays roles in lubrication, sealing, and cooling, reducing friction losses and extending the engine's lifespan. Frequent drivers should check their car's engine oil level after long periods of driving to ensure it is sufficient. Nowadays, many car models come with a maintenance reminder function. When the mileage or time approaches the maintenance cycle, the vehicle's dashboard or multimedia system will display a prompt to change the engine oil. 3. When the engine oil level is insufficient, the oil pump's output decreases or fails to pump oil due to air intake, leading to a drop in oil pressure. The car will then illuminate the low oil pressure warning light, and the dashboard will display 'Please change engine oil immediately,' reminding the owner to replenish the oil as soon as possible and perform maintenance to avoid engine damage caused by insufficient oil.
A couple of days ago, my car just popped up this alert, which is essentially the onboard computer reminding you to get maintenance done. New cars usually come with smart monitoring systems that don't just calculate based on mileage. They analyze oil life based on factors like how often you accelerate hard or cold-start the engine. For instance, my car went 8,000 kilometers after the last oil change before the alert appeared, but a friend who frequently drives on mountain roads got the warning light at just 5,000 kilometers. You can still drive a few hundred kilometers after the alert appears, but it's best not to delay. Last time I drove for two extra weeks, and the oil turned as black as soy sauce. Remember to ask the mechanic to check the oil filter during the oil change. Once during maintenance, they found small metal shavings stuck in the oil filter, which was pretty scary.
Oh, I know this warning light all too well! Let me give you three key points as an experienced driver: First, immediately check the dipstick - if the oil level is below the minimum mark, you need to top it up right away. Second, check your last maintenance date - even without this warning, conventional oil should be changed if it's been over six months or 5,000 kilometers. Third, pay attention to engine sounds - you'll hear metallic tapping noises when the oil degrades. My neighbor ignored this warning last week and ended up spending over 7,000 on an engine overhaul. Actually, changing oil yourself is quite simple - I can do it in my underground parking, and a barrel of full synthetic oil only costs around 200.
