Being a car owner, you must recognize which symptoms indicate that your vehicle needs an engine repair; to that end, this post by K&K Oil and Lube in Clermont lists key signs of engine trouble.

5 Key Signs That Your Car Needs an Engine Repair

The Check Engine Light Pops On

While driving, you might be used to seeing your dashboard to verify the speed you are going, the amount of gas in your tank, or how many miles you've driven. However, among all the colorful lights and gauges, your dashboard panel also displays warning signs to inform you when unexpected issues arise; among them, there's the check engine light, also known as the malfunction indicator lamp. As its name suggests, this light's purpose is to tell you when something is going wrong and your car needs an engine repair. Seeing the check engine light coming on in the dashboard can be undoubtedly nerve-racking; still, this can happen due to a wide range of issues. For example, if this light pops on and stays illuminated steadily after a slow, brief flashing, it means there's a minor issue, such as a loose cap under the hood. On the contrary, seeing this light blinking fast could indicate engine failure. Either way, call your trusted mechanic if the malfunction indicator lamp suddenly illuminates your dashboard.

Keep your engine performing optimally by giving it high-quality lubricants, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. For more information about the top-performing synthetic oil in Clermont, call K&K Oil and Lube at (918) 269-0081 or visit AMSOIL's online store.

Your Car Needs More Fuel

As you might know, your engine needs fuel to overcome rolling drag, friction, and overall forces resisting your car's motion. If your engine is healthy and adequately upkeeped, it's likely to consume reasonable and constant amounts of fuel to perform efficiently; on the contrary, issues within the engine compartment could cause it to need way more energy to perform barely. That's why you should pay attention if your fuel expenses increase or if you have to pump gas more often than before. When it comes to the issues leading to poor fuel economy, the main ones include having faulty spark plugs, damaged fuel injectors, and even a clogged air filter. Regardless, have your engine inspected by a skilled mechanic if you become aware that your machine starts to consume vast amounts of gas.

You Hear Unfamiliar Engine Sounds

An interesting thing to note about engine sounds is that, since oil provides sound insulation, the better lubricated your engine is, the quieter it will be; that's why most times, loud engines result from having low oil levels. Still, unfamiliar engine sounds may arise due to a wide range of issues. For example, hearing a rumbling sound when you rev your car could indicate that low oil pressure is damaging the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft; likewise, rattling noises during acceleration could indicate a premature ignition occurring in the engine cylinder. On the whole, you should pay attention to any unusual engine noise, as it could pinpoint a serious problem.

If you want to maximize your vehicle's service life, make sure to give it a synthetic oil change in Clermont. To place an order on quality oils and lubricants for your engine's preventive maintenance, call K&K Oil and Lube at (918) 269-0081 or visit AMSOIL's online store.

You Notice Burning Smells

Have you ever caught a burning whiff coming out of your engine? Typically, unusual smells pinpoint burnt fluids or damaged materials under the hood, such as hot electrical wiring, burnt oil, melted rubber, foams or other plastics, and more. That's why you should keep your nose keen to pick up unfamiliar engine smells. Some typical smells indicating signs of engine trouble include sulfur, in other words, the smell of rotten eggs, which means that the catalytic converter is damaged; likewise, there's the smell of burnt oil that most often points out a hidden oil leak. Another whiff that indicates engine issues is burnt maple syrup, resulting from a coolant leak somewhere within the engine. All in all, make sure to pay attention to new, strange, burning smells under your hood; if you notice any, reach out to your mechanic to have your engine fixed as soon as possible.

Heavy Exhaust Smoke Comes Out of Your Car's Tailpipe

Finally, it's important to go over the smoke coming out of your vehicle's exhaust. Ideally, your car should emit a light smoke that resembles water vapor; however, take note if you notice heavy gray, blue, or black smoke coming out from your car's tailpipe. If your car produces unusual smoke, know that the reason may vary depending on its color. For instance, if you see blue smoke, chances are your engine is burning oil; if you notice a cloud of thick white-colored smoke, it means the engine is burning coolant; likewise, seeing black smoke indicates cross-contamination between fuel and oil. Everything considered, make sure to take your vehicle to the mechanic shop if you notice that it's emitting unusual exhaust smoke.

Now that you've learned which signs indicate your car needs an engine repair make sure to choose the most effective lubricants for its preventive maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. For more information about the top-performing synthetic oil in Clermont, call K&K Oil and Lube at (918) 269-0081 or visit AMSOIL's online store.