My engine oil looks dirty – should I change the oil? Not so fast

You weren’t always one of those conscientious auto owners. It was the luck of the draw that you would remember to bring the car in for an oil change within the recommended number of miles or time. And you never bothered to check the oil. But, the last time you had the car in for some work they told you that it was down more than two quarts of oil.

The auto repair technician gently, but emphatically, warned you that driving without enough engine oil could do serious damage to the engine, especially on these hot days of summer. You got the hint and heartily agreed when the technician suggested it’s time for an oil change.

Since that time, you’ve dutifully checked the oil every time you fill the gas tank. In the process, you’ve noticed something that’s disconcerting; your oil is changed from a translucent golden syrup to an opaque, dirty black. Certainly, that’s not good.

Actually, it is. It’s good, that is. It means that the oil is doing its job. The oil is carrying away particles that could cause damage between moving parts inside the engine block. The oil is continuing to provide lubrication between those moving parts and it’s also reducing and carrying away some of the heat that builds up when metal parts move in close proximity to each other, particularly when one of those parts is moving up and down several thousand times per minute.

If you can’t tell that the oil is bad when it looks dirty then how do you know when it’s time to change the oil?

The solution is to follow the schedule prescribed in the owner’s manual. Change the oil on a timely basis and you’ll know that the oil in the engine is always functioning properly and protecting your engine.

The problem with oil isn’t that it gets dirty; it’s supposed to get dirty. The problem is that, over time, the detergents will break down and the oil will become so full of particles that it can’t do its job effectively anymore. Change the oil on schedule and you don’t have to worry about it, even if your oil looks dirty.

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