Knowing when to get an oil change can be tricky. There isn't, after all,  a one size fits all rule for oil changes. This post can help you learn some useful ways to detect when your car needs new oil.

How to Know When Your Car Is Ready for an Oil Change

If you're never quite sure if your car is ready for an oil change, you're not alone. Many people continue to get theirs changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles, but this one size fit all rule isn't accurate. To help you avoid wasting oil and time, we've compiled a list of ways in which your car tells you it's ready for new oil.

Significant Oil Loss

If your oil pressure light has turned on, this means your car doesn't have enough oil in it to operate safely. This can be the result of a few different issues, including oil that needs to be replaced. If your oil level dropped significantly in a short period of time, this can indicate that you have a leak somewhere in your car. Avoid driving like this since it can cause serious damage to your engine. However, if the oil was consumed over a long period of time, you may be able to solve this with an oil change. As oil gets older, it can evaporate, burn off, and simply get consumed. If this is the case, make an appointment for an oil change as soon as possible to prevent engine damage.

Check Engine Light

If you have an older model car, chances are that it doesn't have an oil light that alerts you when it's time for an oil change. In these cases, the check engine light may turn on to alert you that your car needs new oil. So, the next time your check engine light turns on, check your oil first because this easy fix may be the reason behind it.

Noisy Engine

Most cars produce some kind of sounds in the engine, and that's just fine. If your engine starts to make new sounds or becomes louder than usual, this can be cause for concern. This is because your oil performs the important task of lubricating the small moving parts in your engine that keep your car moving. Once your oil is old and unable to do this, these metal parts may come into contact with each  other, causing engine damage and knocking or roaring noises. If this is the case, consider giving your engine an oil change. For the best results, always use a synthetic oil when giving your car an oil change. Not only will this type of oil last longer, it can keep your engine better protected than conventional oils. For synthetic oil recommendations and tips, contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256. They can recommend products like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil, made to protect your engine from wear for longer.

Dirty, Thick Motor Oil

An easy way to know if your oil needs to be replaced is by visually inspecting it. To start, know what to look for. Oil that needs to be replaced will be black, thick, and have particles floating in it. New oil tends to be an amber brown color but this will quickly change to black as it circulates through your engine, so black oil isn't enough of an indicator that it needs to be changed. As oil gets older, it can get thicker to the point where it can no longer perform its duties efficiently. The last thing to look for are floating particles and debris in your oil. This generally means your oil filter is full and no longer able to keep debris out of your oil. Remember to always change your oil filter with every oil change to keep your oil as clean as possible for longer. To check your oil, start by popping open your hood and locating the oil dipstick. Remove the dipstick, clean it with a clean washcloth, and  put it back in its place. Remove the dipstick once more and now proceed to examining. If your oil is so thick you can't see any of the dipstick through it, this isn't a good sign. If it's thick and has debris in it, it's definitely time for new oil. If you're not too sure about the condition of it, put some of the oil on your fingers for a better inspection. For more tips to help you inspect your oil properly, click here.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Chambersburg

If it's time for an oil change, be sure you make it a synthetic oil change in Chambersburg. To find the perfect products for your vehicle, contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256. You can also find their full range of AMSOIL Oil products in their online shop.