Your engine is like the heart of your Audi; and that pretty much makes engine oil the lifeblood of your vehicle. Engine oil is responsible for lubricating the components of your engine, so that they are allowed to move together more smoothly and without experiencing constant friction or premature wear. Of course, the engine oil is able to do its job most efficiently when it’s clean and free from contaminants or debris. Basically, when you ensure to keep on top of your Audi’s oil changing needs, you can keep your engine performing at it’s prime, whilst also increasing the service life of your vehicle.

So, how can the owners of prestigious Audis be sure that their vehicle needs an oil change? Well, luckily, we’ve written this article to answer just that:

  1. Check Engine Light is On

When your check engine light is on, your Audi is basically giving you the most obvious sign in the world that’s something’s wrong and needs to be checked out. Depending on what Audi make or model your have, you may have either a check engine light or an oil light come up on your dashboard.

  1. Loud Engine Noises

Has your engine been sounding noisier than usual lately? Of course, you’d probably know what’s normal and what’s not in your Audi vehicle by now. As your engine oil starts to age, it becomes thicker, meaning that your engine has to work harder in order to push all the oil throughout the engine. When this happens, it’s important for you to arrange for the best Audi Perth service for your vehicle, so that you can have your oil changed quickly and efficiently by professionals. On the other hand, if you’re confident enough and have the available free time, you could always opt to change the engine oil yourself. Thankfully, there are a bunch of helpful tutorials online that can walk you step-by-step through the process.

  1. Oil is Dark in Colour

Over time, engine oil collects contaminants from your engine, which builds up and changes the colour of the oil to a darker tone. This isn’t any cause for concern initially. However, if your oil becomes incredibly dark and grimy and you fail to change it, then it can start to turn into a thick, black goo more commonly known as engine sludge, which can cause significant damage to your vehicle if left undealt with.

  1. Excessive Mileage

Has it been a long while since your last service? Do you feel like you’ve done a lot of miles since you last had your oil changed? If you’ve been driving around further than usual, then you may want to think about getting your oil changed before your next service. Now, every car is different, but generally, it’s recommended that your Audi has its oil and filter changed at least every year. If you’ve been driving around a lot further, however, then you may need more frequent oil changes, at around every 6 months at least.

  1. Exhaust Smoke

You will generally always see clear vapour escaping out of your Audi’s tailpipe. However, when this vapour changes to smoke, especially smoke which is dark grey or black in colour, then it can indicate that there’s something serious going on with your engine. If you notice smoke or a burning smell, then it’s a good idea to get your engine checked out by a professional. Exhaust smoke could indicate that there’s an oil leak, or that some other components of your engine are faulty.

  1. Smell of Oil

Smelling oil inside of your Audi vehicle is a bad sign, which can also point towards an oil leak. When engine oil isn’t changed on a regular basis, it begins to lose its viscosity. This leads to friction inside the engine, which can then wear components down and lead to leaks. Needless to say, it’s a good idea to bring your Audi in to a workshop ASAP if you’ve noticed the smell of oil or burning inside your vehicle.