When Should You Change Your Car's Engine Oil?
1 Answers
There are several methods to determine when to change your car's engine oil: 1. Observe with an oil test paper: Take a small amount of oil from the dipstick and drip it onto the oil test paper, then let it sit overnight, waiting for the oil to fully spread on the paper. The sharper the edges between the oil ring, sediment ring, and diffusion ring, the more the oil performance has degraded. 2. Judge based on driving feel after an oil change: Engine oil has a 'shelf life.' If you feel the power is 'sluggish' or acceleration is slower during a certain period, it's time to change the oil. 3. Smell test: Pull out the dipstick and smell it closely. If there is a strong sour odor, the oil has deteriorated and should be changed. 4. Hand rubbing method: Rub the old oil between your thumb and index finger repeatedly. Good-quality oil will feel lubricated, with few grindings and no friction. If you feel impurities, poor viscosity, or even a rough sensation, it's time to change the oil. 5. Color identification method: Take a clean white filter paper and drip a few drops of old oil on it. After the oil seeps through, good-quality oil will have no powder, feel dry and smooth to the touch, and have a clear yellow infiltration zone. If it appears dark brown with impurities, it should be changed. 6. Light inspection method: Pull out the dipstick and hold it at a 45-degree angle under light to observe the oil droplets. If you can clearly see no grinding particles in the droplets, the oil is good. If there are many grinding particles, it's time to change the oil.
