One of the most important things you can do for proper car maintenance is to get an oil change. Doing so keeps your car’s engine happy and healthy. When your oil is old, or when you car has run out of oil, your engine can easily overheat. This leads to major, and possibly permanent, car damage.

Here are some ways to know if it is time to get an oil change.

Your Engine Oil Is Black

Even if you don’t consider yourself very good with cars, you can easily check your own oil. Open the hood of your car and find the oil dipstick. If you are not sure where this is, find the cap (usually black) that will likely have a symbol of an oil can on it. Pull out the stick carefully (it will often have a yellow loop handle, but not always).

Take a rag and wipe the dipstick clean. First, notice the color of the oil. Does it look like fresh oil or is it black and smudgy? If it is black, you’re due for an oil change. Dip the stick back in the oil and pull it out again. Compare how high the oil comes to the markings on the stick. Is the oil level as high as it should be? If not, this is another indicator that it is time for an oil change.

If you are not comfortable checking the oil on your own, bring your vehicle in to the Christian Brothers Automotive West Frisco auto repair shop. We'll help you know whether or not it’s time for an oil change.

Your Engine Makes Audible Noises

Have you noticed your engine is running more loudly than usual? If so, you may need an oil change. Oil helps your engine run smoothly. When oil has run low, or is out completely, the insides of your engine will grind together. This creates loud noises you will be unlikely to miss. This is definitely something to get taken care of immediately, as an engine running without oil can, once again, cause serious engine damage.

Your Vehicle Hasn’t Had an Oil Change in Several Months

If you cannot remember the last time your car’s oil was changed, it's probably time to schedule an appointment. To keep your vehicle’s engine running properly, you should get a change approximately every 3,000 miles, or every three months, depending on which comes first.

Having clean oil can help you get better gas mileage. In addition to keeping your engine healthy, it's just a good maintenance service to stay current on. You may have a sticker in the top left corner of your windshield from your last oil change visit, which can tell you if it’s time for a change based on your mileage.

If it’s time for an oil change, give our friendly experts a call. Christian Brothers Automotive will make sure you get the best oil change in West Frisco, Texas.