For most people, having an oil change is something that simply needs to be done from time to time. Despite the routine nature of this particular service, changing your oil is an important part of keeping your car running efficiently and reliably. As your oil ages, it oxidizes and loses its ability to effectively lubricate your engine. This process is potentially accelerated by contamination and by the incredibly high temperatures that your oil must endure.

Because of this break down, your oil must be changed periodically to maintain its effectiveness. Changing your oil can be seen as an opportunity to get a first hand look at the state of your engine, however, making oil changes even more important than they might otherwise seem.

The Color of Your Oil

Common wisdom is that fresh oil should appear light, slightly amber, and mostly translucent while old, dirty oil will be a thick black or brown. While this is generally true, you shouldn't assume that your oil is bad simply because it is dark. Old oil will naturally darken as a result of heat and minor contamination, but it may still be functioning well. While you should always follow your manufacturer's recommended oil change intervals (and perhaps even have your oil changed more often), you shouldn't necessarily assume that you've waited too long just because the oil appears dark.

Frothy or Milky Oil

One of the worst-case scenarios is oil that appears to be bubbly, frothy, or milky. If your oil looks like this after an oil change, then you may have coolant in your oil. Generally speaking, there is no way for oil and coolant to mix in a normal, healthy engine. Oil with coolant in it usually indicates that there is an internal leak within the engine that is allowing the two to mix. This usually means a failed head gasket, but it can also indicate something even more serious such as a cracked cylinder head.

Oil Analysis

Finally, if you really want to get a good look at the state of your engine, you should consider saving a small sample of your old oil after an oil change and having it shipped off to an analysis company. An analysis will indicate how much metal is present in your oil as well as the presence of other elements and chemicals. The metal analysis can give you an idea of whether there is unusual internal wear on your engine. Additionally, the analysis of the oil's overall condition can help you to decide if you should have your oil changed more often.

While oil changes can seem like one of the more tedious parts of car ownership, it is best to look at them as an opportunity. Your old oil can do provide you with valuable insight into your car's overall maintenance condition and help you to make better service decisions in the future. For more information, contact companies like Furgerson's Garage.