Can Oil Color Tell You If Your Car Needs An Oil Change?

Why you don’t need an oil change just because your oil turns brown or black.

When you first pour oil into a vehicle it comes out a nice golden color. However, if you’ve ever checked your dipstick a few days later, you might have noticed that the oil is now dark brown or even black!

So does this mean that you purchased bad motor oil and that you need to get another Phoenix oil change already?

Not a chance.

It’s not uncommon for oil to change colors and darken just miles after it has been changed. Here’s why:

The oil’s job is to circulate through the engine and clean/lubricate all of the parts. That means that oil will instantly start to pick up dirt and other substances that cause it to darken. What’s more, because of the way an internal combustion engine works, small particles are released each time it goes and the oil must pick them up or else they will start to damage the engine. If your oil is not picking up those particles, then it is time to worry.

So the next time that someone tries to tell you that you need a new Tucson oil change just because your oil is darker, don’t immediately go out and do it. Stick to your regular maintenance schedule (generally every 3,000 miles) and rest easy knowing that the oil is doing its job.

One thing you should note is if your oil starts to appear grey, milky, or smell burnt. This could indicate breaks and leaks within the engine and should be checked out by a certified mechanic immediately.

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Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is your resource center for the straight scoop about car repairs. We cover tips and best practices for auto repair do-it-yourselfers and those interested in getting the most out of their vehicles. Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is owned and operated by Brake Masters, an auto repair center with 55 locations in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico. Interested parties are invited to contribute to this blog. Send your contributions to BuddyBlog at BrakeMasters dot com.

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