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Signs that Indicate It's Time for Your Next Oil Change

Your motor oil has a few functions it must carry out in order to keep your car moving and healthy. Without oil, none of this would be possible. Even so, it's not enough to just have oil, you must have clean oil running through your engine to reap the benefits of it. But how does one know when their oil no longer works? This post can help you figure it out.

Dirty Oil

In order to know what dirty oil looks like, you'll first have to understand what clean oil looks like. Fresh oil straight from the bottle will usually have a honey brown or amber color and will be a bit translucent. If you notice your oil is black after only a couple weeks of use, don't get upset, this is completely normal. Black oil isn't a cause for concern since this doesn't necessarily mean it's dirty. What you do need to look out for is black oil that also has dirt particles in it as well as oil that has become opaque. The reason your oil will start to develop particles is because your oil filter is no longer able to do its job. As your oil flows through your engine, it picks up tiny metal parts and other contaminants that can affect your engine's performance. Your oil filter will help collect these particles as the oil flows through it, helping keep your oil clean. However, if it's been a while since your last oil change, you oil filter may be full and no longer able to keep the oil clean. This is why it's so important that you get your filter replaced every time you get an oil change.

Black Smoke

You may notice white or translucent vapor escaping from your exhaust pipe every so often, or often during the colder months of the year. While this is a completely normal occurrence, if this vapor turns into black smoke, it's no longer normal. Your car may be releasing black smoke because of oil related issues. You may have a leak or your oil may simply be old and burning. Check your oil level to be sure you have enough to keep your car operating safely. If this isn't the problem, it's probably the condition of your oil. If you notice black smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, it's time to head to the mechanic and get your car checked out.

Loud Engine

Newer engines may not make as much noise as older model engines, but they still have some sort of sound that lets you know it's operating. However, if this sound becomes louder or if you start to notice other noises coming from under your hood, you may want to check on your oil. Your motor oil is a lubricant that helps the metal parts in your engine move without getting damaged. Once your oil is old and unable to lubricate these parts properly, your engine may experience some metal-to-metal contact. This is no good for the health and well being of your engine. If you hear grinding, knocking, rumbling, or roaring sounds that are unusual or louder than usual, they may be the result of lack of lubrication. If you think the sounds are alarming, the damage that may be occurring is probably worse. Don't put off your oil change any longer and just get it done.

Check Engine Light

Your check engine light may turn on for a number of reasons, but if you have an older model car you can't discount the possibility that it's an oil related issue. Newer cars have their own dashboard light for when you need an oil change, but that's not the case with older models. If your check engine light is on but everything seems fine, you may just need an oil change. If you can't remember when you last had your oil changed, this is a great reminder that it's time to do so.

Protect Your Vehicle and the Environment

AMSOIL obtains much of its packaging materials from responsible sources. Plastic containers are made of post-consumer resins, while cardboard boxes derive from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, whose benefits dramatically reduce waste (see chart).

AMSOIL partners with SmartWay® carriers to ship product as efficiently as possible, producing emissions-reduction results equivalent to taking 166 cars off the roads annually.AMSOIL has always recognized that doing what’s right for the environment not only makes ecological sense, it also improves business. It’s one of the company’s founding principles and will remain so well into the future.

If you are looking any product for your vehicle, Alf Marketing has you covered. Contact us for more info about motor oil in Hagerstown, MD. Remember that we also have transmission fluids, additives for gasoline and diesel, gear lube, grease, gear lube and more products! We are located in Hagerstown, MD and serve surrounding areas.

CALL ALF MARKETING: 301-416-0575