We are going to list below the signs that your SUV’s oil needs changing so you can bring the SUV to our shop as soon as possible. If you fail to change the oil when it needs it, you could damage the SUV’s engine. In fact, you can damage the engine irreparably if the oil filter gets clogged and you end up with poor oil circulation. Here are signs that your SUV needs an oil change.
Vibration/Knocking
The SUV may vibrate because the engine is not running smoothly. You will notice this vibration when you are sitting at an idle. The engine may also start to knock or make metallic noises because the oil circulation is being compromised by a clogged oil filter. Again, if the engine does not have enough oil circulating through it, it can be damaged beyond repair.
Oil That Is Dark Brown
If you check your oil on a regular basis and see that it has turned dark brown, it needs to be changed. The motor oil in your SUV should always be light brown. It should also be clear. If the oil is dark and opaque, it is oxidizing, which means it is filling up with air bubbles. This is also a sign that the oil is dirty. You need to have the oil changed right away.
Low Oil Level
You may also see that the oil level is too low. This can be a sign that the engine has burned away some of the motor oil or that your SUV has an oil leak. Add oil to the SUV to restore the proper level. Then bring your SUV to our shop so we can replace the motor oil and oil filter. We will also check the engine to determine if you do have an oil leak so we can fix it.
Engine Exhaust Smoke
One of the things that the oil does is clean the engine in your SUV. A dirty engine tends to release exhaust, so if you see exhaust flowing out of the SUV’s tailpipe, you need to change the oil. This is a sign that the oil is depositing dirt in the engine rather than removing it.
Finally, the oil light will turn on if you need to change the oil in your SUV. The engine control module will turn this light on because the oil life has been spent. It is important to pay attention to this warning light and bring your SUV to our shop for an oil change as soon as possible.
