Bring your vehicle to The Shop Tire and Service Center on a regular basis so we can change the motor oil and the oil filter. This filter should be changed every 3,000 miles if you use conventional motor oil and every 5,000 miles if you use synthetic motor oil. A clogged oil filter can damage your engine. This might seem hard to believe so we will explain how below. Please keep reading.
Poor Oil Pressure / Circulation
When the oil filter gets clogged, it reduces the oil pressure or circulation through the engine. Consequently, the engine will be starved for oil and begin to overheat and perform poorly – more on that below. When the oil pressure gets too low, system sensors report problems to the engine control unit, the main computer chip. It will turn on the oil light on the dashboard.
Strange Metallic Engine Noises
Another sign that there is little oil circulating through the engine is strange metallic noises coming from the engine. These noises are a sign that the engine is being damaged as you drive. The parts that are making the noises are rubbing against each other without motor oil protection and wearing down. Do not drive your car, truck, or C/SUV if you can hear metallic or grinding noises in the engine.
Lagging Engine Performance
As we mentioned above, the poor oil circulation can overheat your engine and affect how well it runs. Another problem with a clogged oil filter is it does not clean the motor oil when it flows through it. Unfortunately, this leaves you with dirty motor oil that deposits grime on moving engine parts. This can cause your engine to lag and your acceleration to sputter.
Noticeably Poor Gas Mileage
To make things worse, the engine will burn more fuel as it struggles to produce power. Consequently, you will notice a reduction in your vehicle’s gas mileage. This is not good news considering what fuel prices are these days. Your budget will suffer as you fill the tank more often.
Increased Vehicle Emissions
Finally, the dirty motor oil that is circulating through your engine will not only cause engine performance problems but also increase the harmful emissions your vehicle releases into the environment. If you live in a place where emissions testing is performed, your car, truck, or utility vehicle may fail the test.
Call The Shop Tire and Service Center in Elk River, MN, today to schedule an oil change if your vehicle is overdue for one.