Anyone who owns a vehicle realizes that oil change is an intricate and crucial process of its maintenance. Consistent and timely oil change keeps the vehicle’s engine and its power train replenished, ensuring a smooth run for a long time. Simply put, swapping old oil with new or refilling the essential car parts with new oil is referred to as oil change.

Here are three things you need to know about oil change:

Know when to change the oil : The time and mileage intervals of oil change depend on the type of the vehicle and its manufacturer. It is recommended to change the oil once every two months if you are using the vehicle frequently for short trips or are a frequent interstate driver.

Typically, an oil change is recommended on covering 7,000 to 10,000 miles or approximately after three months, whichever comes first.

Inspecting the engine for an oil change : Vehicles come with electrical sensors to indicate oil change and traditional dipsticks for manual inspection. If you are checking the engine oil level using a dipstick, ensure that the car is parked on the even ground. Avoid using the dipstick if you have switched off the engine recently as the engine oil could still be boiling hot. Once the engine is cool, insert the dipstick in the slot provided on the hood of the engine, pushing it way back in.

Pull out and the dipstick and observe the oil streak. Every dipstick has an oil-indicating mark in the form of the groove, pinhole, or simple L (low) and H (high) marks on it. If the oil streak is below the bottom groove/pinhole/ L mark, it indicates time for an oil change. You also need to pay close attention to the color and the viscosity of the oil. The ideal color should be brown or black, and it should smear evenly on the dipstick. If it has a light milky appearance, it could probably indicate a coolant leak in the engine or internal engine damage. Consult a mechanic for further information.

Know your engine oil : There are four main types of engine oil: synthetic motor oil, synthetic blend motor oil, high-mileage motor oil, and conventional motor oil. These oils vary on the basis of their density and viscosity ingredients. Consult your mechanic and read the manufacturer manual to know which type of oil best suits the engine of your vehicle. Using the wrong oil can lead to engine malfunctions, reducing the overall performance of the vehicle.