If your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine is lagging and you haven’t had your oil changed in over 4,800 kilometres, it’s possible that your oil filter is clogged. A clogged oil filter can indirectly affect the engine’s performance by circulating dirty motor oil through the engine. The engine cannot run efficiently with dirty motor oil. It needs clean fluids and filters to run as efficiently as possible. Engine performance problems are just one sign that your oil filter is clogged. Here are other signs.
Reduction in Fuel Efficiency
Because the engine is not performing as well as it should be, you will notice a reduction in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The engine will burn more fuel when it is struggling to perform. In its mind, if it burns more fuel, it will perform better. You will need to have an oil change and a new oil filter installed in your automobile in order to restore your engine’s efficiency and fuel economy.
Metallic Noises You Can Hear
If you can hear strange metallic noises coming from your engine, pull over, turn off the engine, and call for a tow to our shop. Metallic noises are an indication that the engine is being starved of motor oil. This can happen if the fuel filter is severely clogged. These noises are a sign that the parts are rubbing up against each other without proper lubrication. Continuing to drive your automobile could damage the engine beyond repair. Call for a tow truck to avoid this problem.
Reduction in Oil Pressure
A clogged filter will also reduce the oil pressure in your vehicle’s engine. Consequently, you will end up with a dashboard warning light that pertains to the motor oil. This light turns on when there is a problem with the motor oil in the engine. In this case, the problem is that there is not enough oil pressure to circulate the motor oil through the engine.
Exhaust Filled With Hydrocarbons
Finally, an oil filter that has been clogged by dirt and sediment can indirectly increase the hydrocarbons found in your vehicle’s exhaust. This is because dirty motor oil increases the hydrocarbons in the exhaust. You may not have realized this before now, but regular oil changes help you ensure that your car is environmentally-friendly.
Call Auto Service Kingston in Kingston, ON, today to schedule an oil change if you haven’t had one in 4,800 kilometres.