Ensuring your Hyundai vehicle's upkeep is a paramount responsibility of ownership. Regular maintenance contributes to the longevity and safety of your car over the years.
Among the crucial maintenance practices, regular Hyundai oil changes hold significant importance. Advancements in oil and engine technology across the automotive industry have led to less frequent oil changes, ultimately benefiting drivers by reducing the frequency of necessary Hyundai oil changes.
Engine oil is crucial in lubricating every component and dissipating heat from the engine block. Over time, as you navigate through the Australian terrain, the oil gradually deteriorates, accumulating impurities and losing its viscosity.
If you want your vehicle and its engine to work efficiently, regular oil changes for your vehicle's well-being are crucial. The process is relatively quick, and most vehicles require an oil change every six months. The new Hyundai models may extend this interval to a year or more, depending on your driving habits.
The frequency of your oil changes gets determined by the Hyundai's maintenance schedule. Vehicles using conventional oil typically require an oil change every six months (or between 5,000 to 7,500 miles).
In contrast, those using synthetic oil can extend this interval to a year (or approximately 10,000 miles) before requiring an oil change.
More frequent oil changes are necessary if you regularly use your vehicle for commercial purposes, off-roading, racing, or heavy towing. Here are some tips to help you determine the proper oil change frequency:
- Consult the Hyundai model owner's manual to determine whether your car should use synthetic or conventional oil.
- Oil degrades over time. Changing the car oil at least twice a year is advisable if you have infrequent usage.
Regularly check the vehicle oil levels. It is advisable to do it every month. Also, inspect transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and tire pressure. Changes in the colour and texture of oil indicate the need for an oil change, and ignoring these signs could lead to severe issues.
Why Hyundai Recommended Oil Change Is Important?
Hyundai oil change is crucial for the following reasons:
Lubrication – Oil provides essential lubrication for the engine. The protective layer prevents the engine components from friction and wear and tear. It preserves the integrity of the moving parts. Without oil, the engine suffers rapid metal-on-metal deterioration.
Cooling – Engine oil contributes to the cooling process. Even though the coolant system handles the primary cooling (the radiator, thermostat, and water pump), oil offers supplementary cooling in areas inaccessible to the coolant.
Clean Engine – Engine oil plays a pivotal role in cleansing the engine. It acts as a purging agent, removing potentially harmful debris such as metal shavings and other deposits that affect the engine's performance.
Signs that You Need Oil Change
The different signs that indicate you need to get the Hyundai oil change done immediately include:
Check the Mileage Sticker
One of the easiest ways to determine when your engine oil needs changing is to check the sticker from the last service. The sticker gets placed inside the windshield on the driver's side.
The mileage sticker provides your next visit's date and mileage. The other information on the stickers includes the oil weight used and the car's emission details.
Dark Contaminated Oil
Fresh oil looks clean. Depending on its viscosity, it looks light to moderately golden. As the oil circulates through the engine, it darkens with time.
The transformation occurs when heat and the accumulation of impurities and debris coursing through the machine contaminate the oil.
Regularly inspecting the dipstick will help you monitor these colour changes. If the oil has become notably dark, it's a clear signal that an oil change is due.
Engine Noise and Knocking
Engine oil lubricates moving parts within the engine. When oil levels fall below the required amount, these components lack lubrication, resulting in physical, metal-to-metal contact. The friction manifests as a faint tapping or knocking sound.
Low oil pressure also results in noise from lifters and cam bearings. Engine noise occurs if the oil has aged and lost its viscosity and lubricating capabilities.
Engine knock or pinging often gets caused by an incorrect air-to-fuel ratio. If you detect engine noise, promptly check the vehicle. Oil level and its condition and arrange an oil change as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity, you may need to add oil to your engine to reach the mechanic's shop safely.
Unusual Exhaust Smoke
The car's exhaust emissions are primarily invisible and carry a faint odour. Gasoline engines produce minimal coloured exhaust, and diesel engines emit black, sooty exhaust.
If you drive the Hyundai under cold conditions, a visible cloud appears from the tailpipe. It primarily comprises water vapour, which dissipates as the engine warms up. If you observe a bluish smoke emerging from your exhaust, it's a telltale sign of an issue.
Blue smoke results from oil seepage into the engine, where it's burned alongside the fuel. It indicates a low oil level. The other possibility is an external oil leak, with the oil dripping onto the exhaust system.
Greyish exhaust is often associated with an incorrect fuel-to-air ratio. Excessive fuel gets consumed.
Interior Odor of Oil
If you detect the scent of oil inside your Hyundai, it signifies an oil leak. The oil leak drips onto a hot engine or exhaust component, leading to its combustion and the resulting odour.
The many sources of oil leaks include:
- Oil Plug – The drain plug in the engine's oil pan gets removed during oil changes. If it's inadequately tightened or if the gasket gets worn, it may cause oil to drip.
- Oil Filter – The oil filter removes particulate matter from the oil. It needs to get replaced during each oil change. An incorrectly seated or deteriorated filter can lead to oil leakage.
- Valve Cover Gasket – Oil might leak from around the edges of the valve cover gasket located at the engine's top. The vehicle oil then trickles down its sides. In specific engine configurations, multiple valve cover gaskets need presence.
- Oil-Sending Unit – The unit at the rear of the engine, or the pressure switch, leaks oil down the engine block if its gasket is damaged.
- Oil Pan Gasket – The gasket seals the oil pan to the engine's underside and can leak at any point around its circumference.
- Head Gasket – A head gasket leak leads to oil seeping down the engine's sides, necessitating engine disassembly for replacement.
- Front/Rear Main Seals – Leakage from the front or rear main seals results in oil escaping from the left or right sides of the engine or its front or rear, depending on the drivetrain configuration.
While minor oil leaks get monitored during routine maintenance, severe leaks that cause your car's interior to smell like burning oil need immediate attention.
Neglecting such issues can lead to engine damage or even destruction. It might even trigger a vehicle fire in extreme cases if the oil ignites on the hot engine surfaces.
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