Engine oil is a critical component of your vehicle. 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 helps the engine in plenty of ways. It helps protect the engine by keeping it clean from sludge, which protects its operation. Oil reduces friction and wear, which can also improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. Lastly, it reduces the heat within the engine and redistributes it to other components of the engine. If you are concerned about the health of your engine oil, contact our service technicians for an inspection.
Regularly checking the oil level can help the driver maintain proper oil levels and help safekeep oil health. To not touch the hot engine parts, it’s a best practice to test the oil when the engine is cool. Many dipsticks have lines to display if the oil levels are too low and need to be topped off. Also when using the dipstick, you can look at the oil texture. If the oil is light in color and smooth, it’s okay. However, if the oil appears sludgy and dark, then it’s best to replace it.
It’s possible that you may have a leak if your dipstick constantly shows low engine oil levels. There are multiple ways to test for an oil leak, which is essential because a leak could cause harm to your vehicle’s engine. If there are dark puddles under your car, this is possibly a result of its oil pan slowly leaking oil. The smell of burning oil or smoke from the engine could possibly be an essential sign of an oil leak. Also, the engine overheating could possibly be a result of an oil leak.
Learning when to change your vehicle’s engine oil is also critical to prevent harm to the engine in your car. While some may suggest a short oil change interval from 3,000 to 5,000 miles, it is recommended to have your oil changed every six months or 5,000-7,000 mi., whichever comes first. However, if you’re uncertain about when you should change your oil you should contact our service department for more accurate info about your vehicle.
Lexus of Santa Fe invites you to schedule your next oil change at our Santa Fe area service center. Our factory trained Lexus technicians are certified to service all manufacturers’ vehicles. Schedule your next visit online or in-person.