Engine Oil Colour: What Does Yours Mean?
Do you check the colour of your vehicle’s oil yourself? Or does your mechanic sometimes show you your dipstick during routine service? And do you even know what you’re looking at?
The colour of your car’s engine oil changes over time — you likely know that when it gets darker, it’s time to change it. Oil darkens from clear to dark brown, and finally black when it’s been introduced to heat over extended periods of time. So by simply using your vehicle, your oil will naturally get darker.
But did you know that the colour of the oil tells you a lot about the condition of your engine as well? Here’s what your engine oil colour has to say.
Clear/Light Amber
Fresh, new oil is clear when added to your vehicle. If you’ve just received an oil change, the oil on your dipstick should be colourless.
Dark Brown to Black
As discussed above, oil naturally darkens to brown as it’s introduced to heat during use. It will eventually turn to very dark brown and even black as you get to, and beyond, the time for an oil change. This means your oil likely has some contaminants in it. You should try to get in for your oil change before your oil turns too dark to keep your engine running at its best.
Is your oil becoming quite dark shortly after you get your oil change? This may indicate extended oil change intervals, which can cause excessive contamination build up . It’s best to check with your mechanic to see what’s going on.
Cream Coloured
When you check your oil and find it turned a creamy colour instead of brown, this could indicate that there’s a leak in the head gasket. Causing antifreeze to leak internally through the engine. Either way, see your mechanic immediately if you notice this odd colour.
Take a Whiff
What if your oil is the colour it should be but smells like gasoline? That can indicate gasoline contamination. This will dilute the oil and won’t allow it to properly lubricate the engine. If not addressed promptly, it can cause bigger issues down the road.
Know There Are Exceptions
Some mechanics will use oil with additives in it to help improve engine performance or help with cleaning the engine — depending on the age and type of vehicle you own. These can sometimes cause your oil to darken faster than usual or simply be darker to begin with.
If you can check your oil frequently, you’ll know if there are any unusual changes that occur. Check with your mechanic if you notice anything that seems strange to you in colour, texture, or smell.
Visiting Enviro Lube for regular oil changes will allow us to keep an eye on things for you. We’ll let you know if we notice any issues before they become a major, costly problem. Our expert, knowledgeable certified lube technicians are ready to answer your questions or you can stop by at your convenience for your 15-minute oil change and multi-point inspection.
