Engine oil is what keeps your vehicle running smoothly. Most mechanics recommend you have the oil in your vehicle changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. While going a few miles over won’t cause any serious damage to your vehicle, if your Kia is overdue for an oil change, you might begin to notice the following signs.
Oil Looks Black
You should try to get into the habit of manually checking your vehicle’s engine oil level once a month. When you do, take note of the color and smell. Clean oil is almost transparent and has a smooth, glossy appearance. If the oil looks black, has small specks of dirt in it, or smells burnt or like rotten cheese, it’s past the point of needing an oil change. This dirty oil is reducing your Kia’s efficiency and can make the engine run hotter, which could lead to expensive repairs.
You Experience Slow Acceleration
Oil helps keep all the moving parts inside your engine lubricated and running smoothly. As a result, when you step on the gas, you should experience easy acceleration. On the other hand, dirty oil can’t offer the lubrication that all the engine parts need. This means your engine can’t perform like normal, and you might experience slow or sluggish acceleration when you press down on the gas pedal.
Vehicle Makes a Ticking Noise
As you’re driving your vehicle, oil is constantly pumping through the cylinder heads and crankcase. Eventually, this will cause clean oil to gather contaminates and become dirty. While clean oil glides smoothly through the engine, dirty oil is thicker, so it has a harder time moving. If you hear a ticking noise when you start your vehicle, it could mean the engine oil is dirty and taking longer to circulate through all the parts.
Engine Makes a Knocking Sound
A ticking noise isn’t the only unusual sound you’ll hear if your Kia is overdue for an oil change. If your vehicle is running and you hear a knocking noise that sounds like a rock tumbler deep inside your engine, it could be the rod bearings have worn out because of bad oil. This knocking sound will usually get louder as you increase speed, and the vehicle can sometimes shake when you’re idling. Unfortunately, this knocking sound is a sign of major engine damage, and a simple oil change won’t fix the problem.
Oil Pressure Light Comes On
Without enough oil, your vehicle’s engine can overheat and fail in a matter of minutes. That’s why it’s important to pay attention if the oil pressure light comes on in your vehicle. While the oil pressure light could indicate your vehicle doesn’t have enough oil, it could also mean that the oil pressure gauge or fuel pump is malfunctioning. Regardless, you’ll want to get your vehicle to your mechanic as soon as possible.
Although it’s important to know the signs that your Kia is overdue for an oil change, the best way to avoid them is to make sure you keep up with regular maintenance.
Image via Flickr by Robert Couse-Baker licensed under CC BY 2.0
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