Your engine oil is the lifeblood of your car, working tirelessly to protect it on our tough Nigerian roads. But how do you know when it’s time for a change? Relying solely on the little sticker on your windscreen isn’t always enough. Your car gives you clear warning signs.
Learning to spot them can save you from a massive, expensive engine repair bill down the road.
Here are the 5 key signs your engine is telling you it needs fresh, clean oil.
1. The Oil is Dark and Dirty
What to look for: Fresh, new engine oil is a bright, amber colour. As it does its job cleaning your engine, it picks up dirt, sludge, and particles, causing it to turn dark brown or eventually black.
How to check: Once a month, when your engine is cool and parked on a level surface, pull out the dipstick. Wipe it clean with a rag, dip it all the way back in, and pull it out again. If the oil on the tip is dark, gritty, or black, it’s time for a change.
2. Increased or Unusual Engine Noise
What to listen for: Oil’s most important job is to lubricate all the moving parts of your engine, preventing metal from grinding against metal. When your oil gets old, it becomes thin and loses its ability to lubricate properly. This can result in a louder-than-usual engine sound, or even a distinct knocking or rumbling noise. That sound is a cry for help.
3. The "Check Engine" or Oil Pressure Light Comes On
What to look for: This is your car’s most urgent warning! If the “Check Engine” light or the oil can symbol illuminates on your dashboard, it’s a serious sign.
This light often means your oil level is critically low or the oil pressure is incorrect, and your engine is not getting the lubrication it needs to run safely. This is a warning you must not ignore. The first and most important step is to pull over safely and check your oil level.
4. Exhaust Smoke
What to look for: Normally, your car’s exhaust should be nearly invisible. If you start seeing blue or greyish smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, it’s often a sign of an oil leak within the engine itself. This can happen when old, worn-out oil finds its way past the seals and into the combustion chamber, where it gets burned along with the fuel.
5. You Can't Remember the Last Time!
The simple truth: Life in Nigeria is busy. It’s easy to forget your last service date. If you have to think hard about when your last oil change was, it has probably been too long.
A good rule for most cars on our roads is to service your vehicle every 5,000 kilometres or every 6 months, whichever comes first.
Regular oil changes with a high-quality, original product like Climax Lubricants is the simplest and cheapest insurance you can buy for your engine. Listening to these signs doesn’t just keep your car healthy; it saves you money and gives you peace of mind on every journey.
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