Oil Life - Parksville Oil Change

When Should I Change My Oil?

While oil life can be impressive nowadays, our customers often admit they go based on what the oil manufacturer recommends on the bottle. Despite advances in oil chemistry and engine technology, replacing oil every 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles) is still considered safe practice.

What Oil Should I Use?

Oil topics are generally a hot debate. You can find multiple opinions online as to what people think are the best oils for their application, and it can definitely get overwhelming, fast.

Just remember, your automaker spent countless hours testing their engines in multiple categories (temperature, shearing, frequency of use, etc) to determine what they believe is the best oil for your vehicle’s engine. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual.

Other things to consider:

What kind of vehicle do I drive?
Where and how will I use my vehicle?
What is my driving style?
Will oil life be impacted by my driving habits?

Dirty Oil Dripping from Customers Oil Pan on their Car, oil life

Signs to Change Your Oil

Regularly checking the oil level is critical, good practice being every time you fuel up. Lack of engine oil maintenance can damage the engine or shorten its lifespan. Below, you will find a number of signs to look out for to know when you should change your oil. This will help you stay on top of your vehicle’s oil life, and that may help you to avoid a costly repair bill.

Check Engine/Oil Change Light

This is usually your first line of defense. The oil change light will come on if it detects a low oil level. Depending on your vehicle this may also come in the form of a check engine light, in which case you should bring your vehicle in before potentially serious engine damage occurs.

Engine Noise & Knocking

Oil acts as a protective layer between all the metal parts moving inside your engine at thousands of revolutions per minute. If that layer is broken down, or levels are low, you may notice excessive engine noise.

Dark, Dirty Oil

Fresh oil is an amber-ish colour, and is translucent. As it ages, it darkens substantially, picking up engine particles and contaminates throughout its lifecycle. Not being able to see your dipstick through the oil is a good way to tell if your oil is dark enough for a change.

Oil Smell and/or Tailpipe Smoke

If you can smell oil when the vehicle is running, it could indicate a leak. Vapours coming from the tailpipe can be normal, however, if these vapours turn to smoke, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Excessive Mileage

If you’ve done a fair amount of driving since your last oil change, including recent road trips or an out-of-town adventure, it may be time for a change. Generally speaking, every 5,000 km or 3 months most vehicles.

Avoid the Hassle. Get the Best Prices and Customer Service in Town!

Schedule an Oil Change

Back To Top

Web Design by.

Life Cycle of Oil

When Should I Change My Oil?

What Oil Should I Use?

Signs to Change Your Oil

We Want to Help

Avoid the Hassle. Get the Best Prices and Customer Service in Town!