How Often Should You Check Your Engine Oil? Pro Tips by Mechanic Near Me

Engine oil is one of the most important components of your vehicle. Taking care of the engine health becomes non-negotiable considering its impact on the overall performance and longevity of your car’s engine. Whether you are a daily commuter or someone who drives only on weekends, one question remains universal: ‘How often should I check my engine oil?’ You should check your engine oil at least once a month to ensure proper engine performance and avoid damage. If you’re unsure how to do it or notice anything unusual, it’s always best to consult trusted mechanics near me to avoid costly repairs. 

Regular engine checks can help manage the cost of car maintenance in Adelaide and keep your vehicle running smoothly. In this guide, we’ll cover the importance of engine oil, how often you should check it, signs that it’s overdue for a change, and how regular Adelaide vehicle inspections can help you avoid costly breakdowns.

How Engine Oil Impacts Your Car

If your car’s engine oil is not clean, your car is basically running dry, and it is a simple recipe for disaster. We created this blog with the help of our certified mechanics in Adelaide at SA Auto Care to guide you thoroughly on engine oils. In this blog, we will cover everything, including the importance of engine oils, the ideal frequency to check them, their overdue signs, and how Adelaide vehicle inspections can help you prevent costly breakdowns.

1. Importance of Engine Oil

As we have already discussed the importance of engine oil in our previous blogs, it is pretty obvious now. Engine oil is your car’s lifeblood, not just a greasy fluid you top off every now and then. It ensures that everything functions as it should by lubricating, cooling, and protecting the engine’s interior components. 

Our experts of car maintenance in Adelaide say that not maintaining engine oil causes engine overheating issues, internal parts grinding, and a reduced engine lifespan. According to our professional mechanics, every two out of ten vehicles in Adelaide have low or dirty engine oil that significantly increases wear and tear.

2. How Often Should You Check Your Engine Oil?

The short answer to this question is at least a month. But this can vary, considering your driving habits and your vehicle’s make and model. A monthly check usually covers regular driving, such as errands and commutes. We recommend that you check your oil every two to three weeks if you often drive on highways or perform heavy hauling. 

As soon as you get back from a lengthy trip, check your oil. Because older cars experience more wear and tear, we advise checking the oil every two weeks. While regular car maintenance in Adelaide usually includes oil checks, doing it yourself between visits helps you stay ahead of any potential issues.

2.1. How to Check Engine Oil?

At SA Auto Care, our certified mechanics in Adelaide outline these simple steps to check your engine oil:

• Start with parking on a level surface.
• Then, turn off your vehicle’s engine and let it cool for a while.
• Open the hood and locate the dipstick in the next step.
• Pull it out, wipe it clean and then insert it again.
• Pull it out once again and check the level and colour of your car’s engine oil.

If it is dark, dirty, or low by any chance, we would advise you to consider a top-up or full oil change as soon as possible.

2.2. How Often Should You Change Engine Oil?

It typically depends on the type of oil you are using for your vehicle. If you are using conventional engine oil, we suggest changing it every 5,000 to 6,000 km. Semi-synthetic oil lasts a little longer, about 7,000 to 8,000 km, whereas changes are required every 10,000 to 12,000 kilometres for full synthetic oil. 

Although many newer cars now include oil-life monitoring devices that notify you when it’s time for a change, you shouldn’t rely just on them. If you do not have a clear idea about your vehicle’s condition, we insist not skip any routine checks. If in doubt, mobile mechanics in Adelaide can assist with timely oil changes and expert advice, all from the convenience of your driveway.

3. Signs You Need an Oil Change

Your vehicle gives clear signs when you need an oil change. Such as oil change light, burning oil smell, dirty oil on the dipstick, and engine knocking. Our expert mechanics advise staying vigilant about these simple but clear signs. If you frequently observe any of these signs, you need to look for auto repair services near me, and there is none better than ours in Adelaide. Adelaide vehicle inspections are also a part of our services to let you know about the need for an oil change beforehand.

4. Advice from Expert Mechanics in Adelaide

We asked our certified mechanics in Adelaide for their golden rules about engine oil, and here is what they said:

• People tend to undervalue oil inspections. It saves hundreds of dollars and is the least expensive preventive maintenance you can perform.
• Every month, check it. Every 10,000 kilometres or every six months, whichever comes first, change it with high-quality oil.
• DIY is fine, but let professionals handle oil changes. We see a lot of damaged filters and wrong oil types.

That is why we strongly recommend getting a vehicle inspection while getting an oil change so that you can catch early engine issues.

4.1. Benefits of Using Mobile Mechanics in Adelaide

Don’t have the time to go to a mechanic? Don’t worry, the mechanics can come to you themselves. Mobile mechanics in Adelaide are now a popular phenomenon. We suggest hiring them because it saves you from waiting at a garage. They are equally expert in performing an engine oil change and other important repairs. They are also perfect for emergency crash repairs. They bring tools and parts to you to provide you with emergency roadside help. We also find them affordable and convenient than expensive garages.

Plus, they are also great for fleet vehicles or working professionals. Mobile mechanics can do the majority of repairs at your house or place of business, including oil changes, brakes, filters, and belts. Therefore, take into account the mobile alternative first the next time you Google ‘auto repair services near me.’

4.2. Why You Should Not Skip Vehicle Inspections?

An oil change is not a complete solution sometimes. That’s where our Adelaide vehicle inspection services step in. We recommend getting your car inspected at least once or twice a year. It helps you spot engine leaks and detect oil sludge buildup. Inspection services also include checking oil filters and gaskets, which gives you an idea of your engine’s health. Plus, we give you an overall idea about your engine’s condition after performing a thorough inspection. Our pro tip is to must consider our inspection services before or after long trips to avoid any hidden issues coming to the surface at a crucial time.

What Happens If You Don’t Check Engine Oil?

Well, that is an important question and a point of concern for every Adelaide driver as well. Well, the consequences can be costly and painful. A small mistake could result in minor engine cleaning, which could cost you between $100 and AUD $250. You should budget between $80 and $200 AUD if your oil filter is broken as a result of low or unclean oil. 

We have also seen worse scenarios, such as a seized engine, which could be an expense easily ranging from $4,000 to a maximum of $10,000 AUD. According to our certified mechanics in Adelaide, ignoring the health of engine oil is one of the three major causes of complete engine failure. That’s why we advise searching for auto repair services near me after observing any engine-related issue.

Pro Tips to Keep Your Oil Healthy

We mark using high-quality oil as the first step to getting the most life out of your engine. Synthetic oils, in particular, have a tendency to last longer and function better in a variety of situations. To ensure that you never forget an oil check or change, we suggest setting reminders on your phone to help you stay on top of your regular maintenance routine. 

Plus, never forget that driving regularly is as important as anything else. Because if a car idles for too long, the possibility of oil degradation becomes higher. To stay ahead of potential problems, consider bundling your oil checks with our full car maintenance in Adelaide.

Impact of Weather on Your Engine Oil

The climate in which you drive can have a significant impact on your engine oil’s lifespan and performance. In extreme heat conditions, the engine oil thins out, and in cold conditions, it thickens, and both of these conditions reduce its effectiveness. It can become sluggish in cold weather, which reduces its lubrication quality. So, it is important to adjust your oil check schedule according to the extreme weather conditions.

Final Thoughts

One thing that you must take away from this blog is to keep checking your engine oil every month and to never skip your oil change schedule. It’s simple, quick, and incredibly effective at keeping your vehicle running longer and stronger. Whether you prefer DIY or booking with mobile mechanics in Adelaide, what matters is that you stay consistent. In case of emergency, just remember that our certified mechanics at SA Auto Care are just a call away.

 Don’t wait for an engine issue to occur. Contact us today for professional car maintenance in Adelaide.