OIL CHANGE & ENGINE OIL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

 

Whether you change your own oil or bring your vehicle to your dealership or ACDelco Service Centre for a service, maintaining your engine oil system is vital to the life of your vehicle. Driving around with dirty engine oil – or not enough oil – can shorten the life of your engine. Over time, repeated heating and cooling, as well as the accumulation of particles, can make oil thicker. Not only can this decrease its ability to flow (also known as viscosity), it can leave harmful deposits in your engine and cause extensive damage.

SELECTING THE PROPER ENGINE OIL

Choosing the proper grade of oil for your oil change is a critical step in engine maintenance. From conventional to fully synthetic, ACDelco offers a range of engine oil types, including ACDelco High Performance Oil and ACDelco Dexos1® Fully Synthetic Oil. Your trusted technician will know the right grade of engine oil to use for your vehicle, or you can check your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the correct grade.

 

OIL CHANGE WARNING SIGNS

Keeping an eye on oil level and other measures of your engine’s oil is critical. Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can damage the engine. Here are a few indicators that will help you prevent damage to your engine.

 

“Change Engine Oil Soon”
This message will display on your instrument panel when your engine needs an oil change. This message may be displayed if the Oil Life Monitoring System in your vehicle (if equipped) was not reset during your last oil change.

Tailpipe Smoke
Heavy smoke from your tailpipe is a strong indicator that oil is being burned within the engine. This can be caused by a number of factors, including bad seals and worn piston rings.

Oil Leaks
One of the most immediate signs of an issue with your oil is a noticeable leak. If you detect a leak, address it as soon as possible. Catching a problem before it worsens can save you time and money.

Under-Hood Smoke
One of the most recognizable and dangerous oil warning signs is smoke coming from your engine. Oil leaking within the engine compartment burns when it drips onto hot engine parts. Leaks of this type should be addressed immediately.

“Oil Pressure Low” / Stop Engine
Low engine oil pressure can cause extreme and costly damage to your engine. If this message displays, safely bring your vehicle to a stop and do not restart your engine until the proper engine oil pressure is restored and the cause of the drop is corrected. You should check the oil level immediately. Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on or an “Engine Oil Low: Add Oil” message is displayed.

ENGINE OIL LIFE SYSTEM

Most newer vehicles are now equipped with the Engine Oil Life Monitoring System. This system calculates engine oil life based on vehicle use. Most vehicles display a warning message when it is time for an oil change. When the Oil Life Monitoring System light comes on, bring your vehicle in to a dealership or reputable ACDelco Service Centre that carries quality ACDelco parts. Your technician will reset your Oil Life Monitoring System after an oil change, or you can consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for instructions on how to reset the system yourself.