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Engine oil is a critical component of your car. Engine oil is the driving force of your vehicle. It lubricates parts of the engine to keep them from grinding and keep it cooled. The engine oil assists the engine in a number of ways. It helps shield the engine by keeping it clean from sludge, which protects the engine’s operation. Oil lowers friction and wear, which can also enhance the fuel performance of your vehicle. Lastly, it reduces the heat located in the engine and redistributes it to other areas of the engine. If you are worried about the status of your engine oil, contact our service technicians for an inspection.
Consistently testing the engine oil level can help the driver ensure oil health and upkeep proper oil levels. To start the process, it is best to test the oil when the engine is cool to avoid touching hot engine parts. Many dipsticks have guidelines to show if the oil levels are too low and need to be topped off. Also when using the dipstick, you can look at the engine oil texture. If the oil is smooth and a lighter color, it shouldn’t be changed. However, if the oil appears sludgy and dark, then it should be replaced.
You may have a leak if your dipstick regularly shows low engine oil levels. There are multiple ways to test for an oil leak, which is important because a leak could bring damage to your vehicle’s engine. If there are dark puddles under your car, it is possibly a result of its oil pan slowly leaking oil. Smoke from the engine or the smell of burning oil could be an important indicator of an engine oil leak. Also, the engine overheating could be another result of an oil leak.
Learning when to replace your vehicle’s engine oil is also critical to prevent harm to the engine in your car. While some may recommend a short engine oil change interval from 3,000-5,000 miles, it is recommended to have your oil changed every six months or 5,000-7,000 miles, whichever one comes first. However, if you are worried about when you should have an oil change you should contact our service department for more accurate information about your vehicle.
Schedule your next Kansas City area oil change at Shawnee Mission Kia. Our factory-trained technicians are standing by to serve you. We service all types and brands of vehicles. Call now or schedule your next oil change appointment online. We look forward to serving you.