Honestly, do you check the oil in your car's engine? And if so—how often? Even if you don’t do it regularly, you probably spring into action when a warning light indicating an oil issue lights up.
A TikToker named Emily shared that she took a slightly different approach, admitting in a video that she views the car’s warning lights more as "suggestions." It’s important to clarify that it's advisable to do something about those "lights" in a timely manner, and preferably not wait two years, as she did.
In her video, Emily asked her followers what the longest time they had ever driven without changing the oil was before admitting that in the three years she has owned her car, she has changed the oil only once.
"I always have lights on and flashing in my car," she said. "And I’m mad at myself and disappointed." Emily explained that her nightmare began two days ago when she got into her car and noticed it was smoking. Her husband recommended she change the oil, but even after she did, the car continued to smoke.
@emsinggg0 Its smoking and acting up?!? #brokencar #oilchange #valvolineinstantoilchange #carproblemsbelike #mycarbrokedown ♬ original sound - Emily
"I thought things in the engine just needed to be cleaned," she said. "But the car drove strangely, it felt heavy, and it made a rattling noise. I thought to myself that it was probably more than just an oil change issue. Something is going on here."
Instead of going to a mechanic to check the car, she simply went on with her life, and the next time she got into the car, Emily discovered it was smoking so much that she didn't feel safe driving it. "I'm pretty sure I ruined my car," she admitted.
If you’re like her and unaware of the importance of changing engine oil, let’s clarify: Engine oil should be changed every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers or once a year, whichever comes first, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, if a car drives 30,000 kilometers a year, it will need an oil change every six months. Neglecting the car maintenance on time can lead to accelerated wear and tear after the oil loses its effectiveness, as well as loss of warranty when it comes to a new car.
It’s important to always monitor the oil level in the engine. How often should the check be? It’s a bit hard to pinpoint exactly. The more you drive the car and the older it gets, the more frequently you should check. We recommend checking the oil level about once a week and before going on a long trip, and make sure to check the oil when the engine is cold.