Have you ever wondered what color your engine oil should be? If you think it’s always black, you might be in for a surprise.
Engine oil should be Amber in color, and is the lifeblood of your car.
It lubricates, cools, cleans, and protects your engine from wear and tear.
However, not all engine oil is similarly manufactured. Depending on the type, age, and quality of your oil, it can have different colors and consistencies.
When it pertains to car maintenance, it’s essential to regularly inspect your oil and adhere to the oil change intervals recommended by the manufacturer.
In this article, we’ll explain how the color of your engine oil can reveal a lot about your car’s health, performance, and maintenance needs.
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What Does Engine Oil Color Say About Your Car’s Health?
You can learn a lot about your engine’s condition by looking at the amount, texture, and color of your motor oil.
This can help you detect possible problems like oil pollution and leaks in your engine!
The color of engine oil can change over time due to factors like aging, degradation of additives, presence of contaminants, and exposure to heat.
Additionally, some colors of motor oil may indicate trouble, nonetheless, you shouldn’t rely on color alone to decide when to change your oil or to diagnose your car.
While certain variations in oil color might indicate potential problems, you shouldn’t rely on color alone to decide when to change your oil or to diagnose your car.
Instead, you should follow the advice of most car manufacturer’s and use your driving habits, mileage, and owner’s manual to determine when to get your next oil change.
How To Inspect Your Engine Oil Color and Clarity
Checking your oil color is a quick process that also enables you to gauge oil levels simultaneously. To check your engine oil :
- Park your car on a flat surface and let the engine cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
- You’ll only need gloves if you prefer to keep your hands clean, and a rag or paper towel.
- With the engine off and slightly cooled, open the hood and locate the oil dipstick, usually identified by a plastic orange or red pull-tab. If you’re unsure which one it is or find multiple dipsticks, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for guidance.
- Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a paper towel or rag, then reinsert it fully into its tube.
- Wait a moment, then pull it out again and observe the engine oil level, color, and consistency.
- Once you’ve assessed the oil color, wipe the dipstick one final time and ensure it’s fully inserted back into place.
What Color Should Engine Oil Be?
Usually, fresh engine oil is a somewhat clear honey color that has the texture of olive oil.
When new oil is put in your engine, it flows through the engine block, making its parts move smoothly, balancing heat, cleaning the engine, and preventing rust and corrosion from building up!
Over time, the oil usually darkens and thickens, diminishing its effectiveness in performing its essential functions.
Oil that fails to perform optimally may compromise the engine’s health, resulting in increased wear and oil consumption.
These issues can manifest in concerning symptoms such as blue or gray exhaust smoke, decreased fuel efficiency, and idling vibrations.
Color Variations and What it Means
Color: Caramel or tan.
Ideally, your car’s oil should have a caramel, amber, or tan hue when freshly added.
If it remains that way, it means your car is in good condition and the oil is pure and free of dirt, so it can perform its function well.
Make sure the oil level is between the two marks on the dipstick and you’re good to go.
Color: Black or dark brown.
If your car’s engine oil is dark brown or black in color, it usually indicates one thing it’s contaminated or has been overheated too much.
At this stage, it’s been used by your car’s engine too many times and your car needs an oil change.
This is more likely if you can spot bits of dirt or debris in the oil.
Using this kind of engine oil can cause harm and result in costly repairs so book auto service right away.
Color: Cream or milky-colored.
A creamy or milky color in your car’s engine oil suggests moisture-related issues.
It may indicate a potential head gasket leak, which demands immediate attention from a car repair expert to prevent the head gasket from blowing and leaving you with costly repairs.
If you see white smoke from the exhaust or notice that your car is using up coolant faster than normal, then you need to get it inspected.
Color: Creamy or milky with bubbly texture.
You also need to pay attention to texture when checking engine oil color.
If the engine oil color is creamy/milky but it also has a bubbly texture, it means there’s water in it.
And if you DON’T see signs of a head gasket leak (like using up coolant or white smoke), then it means water is polluting your oil.
What leads to engine oil turning rust-colored?
Drivers who have older cars and live in places with higher humidity or cooler climates may end up with rusty engine oil.
Moist conditions can lead to water accumulation and rust formation on your metal dipstick, giving a rusty reading when inspecting motor oil.
Conversely, oil looks reddish because of presence of automatic transmission fluid, which needs to be checked by an auto mechanic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the color of your engine oil can tell you a lot about your car’s health and maintenance needs.
By checking your oil regularly and changing it when needed, you can keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Moreover, you should pay attention to the texture and quality of your oil, and look for signs of contamination, leaks, or damage.
If you notice any unusual colors or symptoms, you should consult a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
Remember, your engine oil is the lifeblood of your car, so treat it well and it will treat you well too!