Your car engine is like a busy marketplace with many moving parts working together to get you where you need to go. To keep this market running smoothly, you need a special kind of helper engine oil.
Fresh engine oil acts like a bodyguard, reducing friction between those moving parts, stopping them from getting too hot, and cleaning up any dirt they make.
But just like any hard worker, engine oil gets tired over time and can’t do its job as well anymore. This is where understanding bad engine oil colour becomes important.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about engine oil color, so you can know when to change the engine oil.
The Engine Oil’s Job: More Than Just Bodyguard Duty
Engine oil does a lot more than just stop your engine parts from rubbing against each other, Below you will see other benefits that come with engine oil.
Reduces Friction: The main job of engine oil is to make sure your engine parts, like the pistons and rings, don’t rub too hard against each other. This stops them from wearing down too quickly and keeps your engine lasting longer.
Cooling Down: When your engine is working hard, it gets hot. Engine oil acts like a carrier, taking that heat away from the parts that make it and bringing it to the radiator, which is like a car cooler, to get rid of it.
Cleaning Up: As your engine works, it makes tiny bits of dirt and metal shavings. Engine oil acts like a magnet, picking them up and keeping them away from the engine parts so they don’t cause any damage.
Stops Rust: Engine oil forms a thin layer on the inside of your engine, protecting it from rust caused by moisture and the leftover bits of fuel burning inside.
Why Engine Oil Gets Tired
Over time, engine oil gets tired because of a few things:
Turning Thicker: Engine oil mixes with oxygen in the air, which makes it thicker and less able to protect your engine parts properly. This happens faster when the engine gets very hot.
Picking Up Dirt: Remember how engine oil acts like a magnet for dirt? Well, that dirt builds up over time, and if it gets too much, it can block the tiny pathways the oil needs to flow through the engine.
Fuel Mix-Up: Sometimes, a tiny bit of unburnt fuel can leak into the engine oil. This can make the oil thinner and less able to do its job.
Extreme Heat: If your engine gets very hot very often, it can make the oil tired quicker.
Engine Oil Colour Code: Cracking the Secret Message of Your Engine Oil
The colour of your engine oil can tell you a lot about how well it’s doing its job. Here’s a breakdown of what different colours might mean:
Golden Honey (New Oil): Fresh engine oil should be a clear, golden honey colour. This is the best colour to see because it means your oil is clean and healthy and doing its job perfectly.
Light Brown (Oil Just Starting to Work): As your oil starts to circulate and pick up a little bit of dirt, it might turn a slightly darker shade of brown. This is usually normal, especially after the first few hundred kilometres after an oil change.
Dark Brown (Oil Needs a Rest): If your oil is dark brown, it means it’s collected a lot of dirt and is getting a bit tired. It’s a good idea to plan on changing your oil soon so it can get some rest and come back stronger.
Black (Oil Needs a Long Rest – Now!): Engine oil that’s pitch black means it’s very tired and dirty, and it’s probably been a long time since it was last changed. This oil likely can’t protect your engine properly anymore, so you need to change it as soon as possible.
Important Note:
Colour is a helpful clue, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Some special engine oils might be a darker colour even when they’re new. Always check your car’s owner’s manual for the exact recommendations on what type of oil to use and what colour it should be.
More Signs Your Engine Oil Needs a Change, Not Just Colour
There are other signs that your engine oil might need a change, even if it’s not black yet:
Louder Engine
Ticking or Knocking: As mentioned previously, worn-out oil reduces lubrication, leading to increased friction between metal components. This can manifest as a ticking or knocking sound, especially when the engine is cold. These sounds become more prominent as the engine warms up and the oil thins out slightly
Scraping or Grinding: In severe cases of neglected oil changes, the lack of lubrication can cause metal components to grind against each other. This can produce a loud scraping or grinding noise, which is a critical warning sign that you should stop the engine immediately and avoid further driving.
Oil Warning Light:
Most modern cars are equipped with an oil pressure warning light on the dashboard. This light illuminates if the oil pressure drops below a safe level. If this light comes on, pull over safely as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Do not attempt to drive further.
Low oil pressure can cause severe engine damage. Check your oil level using the dipstick (refer to the instructions outlined previously) and consult your owner’s manual for recommended actions.
In most cases, a low oil pressure light indicates a need to top up the oil or schedule an immediate oil change for a complete inspection.
Burning Smell
Oil Burning Smell: A strong burning oil smell coming from the engine compartment can be a sign of oil leaks or worn piston rings and valve seals.
While not directly related to the oil itself, these issues can be exacerbated by using dirty oil for extended periods, as worn components might allow oil to burn in the combustion chamber.
Oil Leak Detection
Oil Leaks: While checking your oil level with the dipstick, take a moment to inspect the engine compartment for any signs of oil leaks.
Fresh oil leaks will appear dark brown or black, while older leaks might have a dirt-like consistency. Oil leaks can indicate worn gaskets or seals and should be addressed by a qualified mechanic.
Performance Issues
Rough Idling: A rough idle, where the engine RPMs fluctuate noticeably, can be a sign of several issues, including dirty engine oil. Worn-out oil can cause the engine to run unevenly, leading to a shaky or jerky idle
Stuttering: If your car hesitates or stutters when you press the gas pedal, it could indicate a lack of lubrication causing increased friction and hindering engine response. This can be particularly noticeable during acceleration.
The Consequences of Ignoring Engine Oil Changes
Putting off an oil change might seem like a way to save money in the short term, but it can lead to costly problems down the road. Here’s what can happen if you neglect your engine oil changes
Increased Engine Wear: Without proper lubrication, engine parts experience excessive friction, accelerating wear and tear. This can lead to premature engine failure, requiring significant repairs or even engine replacement
Engine Overheating: Contaminated oil can impede heat transfer, causing the engine to run hotter than normal. Overheating can damage various engine components, leading to expensive repairs.
Seized Engine: In the worst-case scenario, severely neglected oil changes can lead to a seized engine. This means the engine components grind against each other, causing them to lock up completely. A seized engine typically requires a full engine replacement, which is the most expensive engine repair.
Increased Emissions: Dirty oil can contribute to incomplete fuel combustion, leading to higher levels of harmful pollutants released from your car’s exhaust. This is not only bad for the environment but can also contribute to failing emissions tests, which are mandatory in many Nigerian states
Reduced Fuel Efficiency: As mentioned earlier, worn-out oil reduces engine efficiency, leading to increased fuel consumption. This translates to spending more money at the pump to cover the same distance.
Making Engine Oil Changes a Priority
Regular oil changes are a crucial part of preventive car maintenance. They are a relatively inexpensive investment compared to the potential costs of neglecting your engine oil.
By following the manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals and paying attention to the signs your engine oil might need changing, you can:
- Extend the life of your engine
- Maintain optimal engine performance
- Improve fuel efficiency
- Reduce repair costs
- Minimize environmental impact
Oil Change Tips for Every Drivers
Find a Perfect Mechanic: Look for a qualified and experienced mechanic who uses high-quality engine oil and filters recommended for your car’s make and model
Consider Oil Change Packages: Some workshops offer oil change packages that bundle the cost of oil, filter, and labor at a discounted rate compared to individual services
Conclusion
Maintain a logbook or service history record for your car, noting down the date, mileage, and type of oil used during each oil change. This information is valuable for future reference and can help your mechanic diagnose any potential engine issues.
