7 Signs That Say You Need An Oil Change

June 30, 2022 · 6 min read

One of the best ways to keep your engine in top condition is by getting regular oil changes. The type of oil change you get varies based on the make and model of your car, but every gas-powered car needs one.

There are rules of thumb to help you decide whether or not to take your car in for an oil change. Take a look at these 7 signs it’s time to take your car in for an oil change service right away.

1. Engine Noises

Even if you have an older model car, it’s not normal to hear clicking sounds coming from your engine. Oil helps to keep your car engine lubricated.

When oil levels get low, there isn’t enough oil available to protect your engine. This means parts could be rubbing together that aren’t supposed to.

The sounds you hear when its time for an oil change are a great reminder of how devastating skipping an oil change could be. These noises represent how sensitive your engine is to not having the right amount of lubrication.

2. Burning Smell

Another way to tell it’s time for an oil change is if you notice a burning smell after starting up your car. This isn’t the same smell that lingers with simple things like leftover food in the backseat.

You’ll notice a sharp, smoky smell when your engine is too hot. The oil you put in your car helps to keep the engine cool. Going too long without an oil change forces the engine to work too hard with grinding parts and no temperature control.

Even if you’ve just had an oil change and notice a smell, take your car in for service right away. It could be a sign of an oil leak which could be a costly repair.

3. Oil Consistency Looks Different

The consistency of your oil is much different right after an oil change compared to beforehand. When it’s time for an oil change, your oil will likely be dirty and have a poor consistency.

Right after replacing your oil, it’s usually transparent. Check your oil’s consistency by taking out the dipstick when you think notice other symptoms like engine noises or smells.

4. Oil Level is Low

Some cars have a known leak that needs to be checked regularly. When oil levels are low, you need to take your car in for an oil change right away.

This is especially true with older model cars whose engine parts might not be in top condition. Check your oil level with a napkin by taking out the dipstick and wiping it clean.

Next, place the dipstick back into the oil and remove it to see where your oil levels are. If it’s dry or down near the tip of your dipstick, it’s time for an immediate oil change.

5. Service Light is On

Some drivers are lucky enough to have warning lights that come on when oil levels are low. This oil light is indicated by a symbol that resembles an oil container.

While these lights are helpful, you’ll still need to watch out for other signs to see how urgent your oil change is. Some warning lights come on right before an oil change while others come on at the time service is needed.

Don’t rely completely on your car’s computer to make this decision. Check your oil levels and consistency to see what your car needs and when.

The best solution is to play it safe by taking your car in for service as soon as you see the light. In some cars, the oil change light can also mean other services are needed like O2 sensors.

6. Exhaust Smoke

Starting up your car during the colder months almost always equals smoke from your exhaust. This isn’t usually cause for alarm unless the smoke turns from white to blue.

Bluish and dark grey smoke might be a sign your engine isn’t getting the oil lubrication it needs. It’s a symptom that’s usually paired with a burning smell from the engine but might also stand alone.

The dark smoke can also be a result of an oil leak. Be sure to get the problem looked at right away to avoid having major issues with your engine.

Oil changes aren’t just about keeping your car from smelling bad or having embarrassing smoke trailing behind you on the highway. Engines do lock up when you push them too hard without oil.

Once this happens, it’s time to rebuild or replace your engine. That price is likely to be 100 times the cost of a regular oil change so take the easy route and focus on routine care.

7. Bad Gas Mileage

Another sign it’s time for an oil change is when you notice you’re filling up your car more often than usual. Bad gas mileage is a sign your car engine is working way too hard and is burning through fuel faster to get the support it needs.

This happens when your engine oil is old and becomes thick making it hard for the parts to move like they normally do. There are other reasons your car can have bad gas mileage but the simplest solve is to get an oil change.

What If I Miss My Oil Change?

You’d be surprised how many busy people forget simple routine maintenance like getting an oil change. Oil changes keep the heart of your vehicle, the engine, pumping.

When you skip oil changes, your car won’t always respond immediately with the signs above. You might get lucky driving your car without any symptoms for hundreds of miles before noticing anything is wrong.

But keep in mind that this wear and tear on your engine build up if you continue to miss oil changes over time. There might not be a consequence in the next few months or even years, but you are shortening the lifespan of your engine which is both costly and unsafe.

For more information or to check out our service specials, contact us today.

Red McCombs Hyundai NorthWest

13663 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA

Sales: 844-218-7288

Service: 844-218-7288

Parts: 844-218-7288

McCombs Ford West

7111 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA

Sales: 833-711-9378

Service: 855-370-3663

Parts: 844-385-7247

Red McCombs Genesis NorthWest

25766 IH 10 West Boerne, TX 78006

Sales: 726-207-3479

Service: 726-207-3479

Parts: 726-207-3479

Red McCombs Collision Center

2235 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA

Sales: 210-256-5350

Service: 210-256-5350

Parts: 210-256-5350

Red McCombs Toyota

13526 W I-10 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249

Sales: 866-783-9870

Service: 866-789-4627

Parts: 888-355-3918

Red McCombs Hyundai

4800 NW I-410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

Sales: 844-452-3877

Service: 844-452-3877

Parts: 844-452-3877

Red McCombs Body Shop

4800 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

Sales: 210-377-3864

Service: 210-377-3864

Parts: 210-377-3864

Universal Toyota

12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA

Sales: 210-944-4768

Service: 210-944-4768

Parts: 210-944-4768

Red McCombs Ford

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Sales: 833-504-1993

Service: 833-491-0790

Parts: 877-738-2159

Drive Away Motors CENTRAL

8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA

Sales: 833-504-1993

Service: 833-491-0790

Parts: 877-738-2159

Drive Away Motors WEST

7111 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA

Sales: 833-711-9378

Service: 855-370-3663

Parts: 844-385-7247

Drive Away Motors SOUTH

12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA

Sales: 210-757-4632

Service: 210-757-4632

Parts: 210-757-4632

Apr 25, 2023

5 Benefits of Investing in Airless Tires

There have been plenty of rumblings about what’s coming soon for cars; airless tires are just one example. The global tire market reached a whopping $122 billion as of 2021, and it’s only expected to grow. If you’re looking for new developments in auto industry news, puncture-proof tires are an excellent example. Read on for a list of five benefits of investing in airless tires to help you decide whether they’re right for you and your car. 1. No Flat Tire, No Worries If you’re thinking of upgrading your tires, these are a good option once they’re ready for consumers to purchase. Since they don’t require air to keep them “inflated,” you’ll no longer need to worry about an unexpected flat. Airless tires provide peace of mind knowing you won’t get stranded due to a flat tire. Not only will this keep the worry of a breakdown low, but it also prevents you from having to replace it with a temporary “donut” until the tire is replaced. 2. Airless Tires Mean Less Maintenance One of the biggest pieces of auto industry news for airless tires is the reduction of maintenance and downtime. You’ll no longer need to head to the gas station to fill your tire with air and worry about PSI levels. This is especially beneficial to fleet managers who deal with multiple vehicles at once. Not only do these new tires reduce the need for upkeep, but they also reduce fleet downtime, too. It also reduces the cost to replace traditional rubber tires. 3. Better for the Environment You’ve heard plenty of automotive news about electric vehicles, but airless tires are also eco-friendly. Countless tons of scrapped rubber tires end up in landfills every year. With these types of tires, there will be fewer punctured rubber tires sitting around in garbage dumps all over the world. Not only that, but this design uses a much more sustainable process in terms of manufacturing and materials as well. 4. Better Traction These quality tires are actually heavier than radial tires and they have a much more evenly distributed tread surface. This results in better traction when turning and when you’re driving at low speeds. Not only do airless tires work on standard vehicles, but they’re also great for forklifts and other industrial vehicles as well as ATVs. You’ll immediately notice an improvement in your vehicle’s performance overall with these tires on. 5. Great Fuel Efficiency Airless tires are stiffer than rubber, so they tend to maintain their shape for longer. One of the main factors in the reduction of fuel efficiency is tire deformation. With these puncture-proof tires, your vehicle should have the same or even better fuel efficiency than it would with traditional tires. This will save you money on fuel as well as the cost of worrying about replacing worn-out rubber tires. Exciting Automotive News While airless tires aren’t quite ready for the public yet, you can already see the benefits. If you’re looking for a reliable, cost-saving tire, then these quality tires could be the perfect solution. At Red McCombs, our goal is to help you find your next favorite automobile, so be sure to visit our wide selection of new vehicles today! Red McCombs Hyundai NorthWest 13663 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA Sales: 844-218-7288 Service: 844-218-7288 Parts: 844-218-7288 McCombs Ford West 7111 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Red McCombs Genesis NorthWest 25766 IH 10 West Boerne, TX 78006 Sales: 726-207-3479 Service: 726-207-3479 Parts: 726-207-3479 Red McCombs Collision Center 2235 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 210-256-5350 Service: 210-256-5350 Parts: 210-256-5350 Red McCombs Toyota 13526 W I-10 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249 Sales: 866-783-9870 Service: 866-789-4627 Parts: 888-355-3918 Red McCombs Hyundai 4800 NW I-410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 844-452-3877 Service: 844-452-3877 Parts: 844-452-3877 Red McCombs Body Shop 4800 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 210-377-3864 Service: 210-377-3864 Parts: 210-377-3864 Universal Toyota 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-944-4768 Service: 210-944-4768 Parts: 210-944-4768 Red McCombs Ford 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors CENTRAL 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors WEST 7111 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Drive Away Motors SOUTH 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-757-4632 Service: 210-757-4632 Parts: 210-757-4632

May 22, 2023

Can You Trust Used Cars? Choosing Trusted Used Vehicles

American drivers are holding onto their cars, trucks, and SUVs longer than ever, with the average amount of time hitting a record of 12.5 years. The primary cause of this is the global automotive chip shortage. Due to lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, facilities manufacturing chips had to shut down. And that shortage has driven up the cost of new and used cars. While you can still get a good deal if you buy a used vehicle over a new one, can you get a reliable used car? Read this used car guide to learn why you can trust used vehicles. Why You Can Trust Used Vehicles A new car loses up to 11% of its worth the moment it’s driven off the lot. It’ll lose around 20% of its value after one year, and a new car will depreciate between 15% and 25% annually until it’s five years old. So, buying a new car means shouldering high depreciation. Considering that new cars cost more, you might balk at sinking a lot of money into buying one. Buying a quality used vehicle from a trusted used car dealership means you can take advantage of a great price. Buying used means using depreciation to your benefit and getting a great car for much less. You can trust pre-owned vehicles sold by a reputable automotive company. Consider, as well, that vehicles these days can be more reliable than vehicles from the past. So, you can easily find used cars made to last. Buying from a trusted used car dealership like Red McCombs Automotive means you can access a wide range of quality used vehicles. You’ll see that used cars can be a good buy in today’s market. How to Choose Them Do you want to know the best strategies to find trusted used vehicles? The good news is that it’s not a matter of luck. You can trust pre-owned vehicles on the lots of reputable car dealers with a track record of providing good service. You won’t have to worry about getting a lemon when you buy a certified pre-owned car from a used car dealer like Red McCombs Automotive. Our certified pre-owned vehicles undergo rigorous inspections, maintenance, and repairs. So, buying such a vehicle is like getting a reconditioned car that’s practically as good as new. And it’ll be a fraction of the cost of a new one. If you want to test drive used cars made to last before buying one, visit one of our dealerships. It’s worth the drive to any of our Texas locations. Used This Used Car Guide to Find Your Used Car Are you looking for a vehicle? At Red McCombs Automotive, we sell quality new and used cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and other vehicles. If you need a car but don’t have the budget for a brand-new vehicle, there’s no need to despair. Our used cars won’t leave you stranded. After reviewing this used car guide, check out our selection of certified pre-owned vehicles. With our wide selection of used vehicles, you’ll find the perfect car for your needs. Stop by for a test drive. Red McCombs Hyundai NorthWest 13663 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA Sales: 844-218-7288 Service: 844-218-7288 Parts: 844-218-7288 McCombs Ford West 7111 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Red McCombs Genesis NorthWest 25766 IH 10 West Boerne, TX 78006 Sales: 726-207-3479 Service: 726-207-3479 Parts: 726-207-3479 Red McCombs Collision Center 2235 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 210-256-5350 Service: 210-256-5350 Parts: 210-256-5350 Red McCombs Toyota 13526 W I-10 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249 Sales: 866-783-9870 Service: 866-789-4627 Parts: 888-355-3918 Red McCombs Hyundai 4800 NW I-410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 844-452-3877 Service: 844-452-3877 Parts: 844-452-3877 Red McCombs Body Shop 4800 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 210-377-3864 Service: 210-377-3864 Parts: 210-377-3864 Universal Toyota 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-944-4768 Service: 210-944-4768 Parts: 210-944-4768 Red McCombs Ford 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors CENTRAL 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors WEST 7111 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Drive Away Motors SOUTH 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-757-4632 Service: 210-757-4632 Parts: 210-757-4632

Mar 22, 2023

Holographic Dash Displays Are Coming to Your Next Car

Do you want to purchase a vehicle with the best safety features and excellent technological advancements? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we will delve into a new car guide and exactly what’s coming for new cars. Our automotive predictions include the advancement of holographic dash displays that drivers can view when operating their cars and moving down the street. So, what are these displays and how do they work? Are top car brands adding such technology? Find out the answers in our new car guide below. What Are Automotive Holographic Dash Displays? The automotive holographic dash display is a type of dash screen technology that will provide the driver with a new type of experience. The drivers will view a three-dimensional, transparent display that provides a distraction-free operation. Essentially, the holographic displays offer key information and data that ensures greater safety and provides the user with key details to avoid accidents and other errors. Drivers today prefer more safety systems and features while ensuring overall comfort when operating the vehicle. The latest auto industry news involves car trends delving into augmented reality (AR) technology. The Latest Automotive Trends Involve Augmented Reality Today, automotive tech tools and augmented reality (AR) technology are coming together to impact car design. The company Envisics creates holographic head-up displays and supplied as many as 1.6 million AR displays in 2022. The company further predicts that 19.1 million units will get sold by 2032. The AR technology involves a variety of features like speed information and showcases landmarks as well as possible collision points. For example, the impressive AR holographic technology will better display whether any cyclists or pedestrians are nearby. That is especially useful when driving in the dark. The Brands Embracing the Latest Car Trends Numerous car brands are taking on this latest automotive trend, which includes Hyundai, General Motors, Stellantis, and Jaguar Land Rover. These particular automotive brands have become significant shareholders in Envisics, a producer of holographic displays. BMW, Delphi, and Winstar Display are also key players in the AR technology market. The Jaguar Land Rover was one of the first vehicles to incorporate a holographic head-up display in 2015. Since then, such technology has been expanding with more automotive manufacturers embracing the features. Where You Should Go For the Most Advanced Cars When searching for a quality vehicle and the latest technology, you should consider contacting Red McCombs Automotive from San Antonio, Texas. Here, you’ll find a great team of specialists who will provide you with all the information you need to pick the right automobile for you. Give us a call today! Red McCombs Hyundai NorthWest 13663 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA Sales: 844-218-7288 Service: 844-218-7288 Parts: 844-218-7288 McCombs Ford West 7111 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Red McCombs Genesis NorthWest 25766 IH 10 West Boerne, TX 78006 Sales: 726-207-3479 Service: 726-207-3479 Parts: 726-207-3479 Red McCombs Collision Center 2235 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 210-256-5350 Service: 210-256-5350 Parts: 210-256-5350 Red McCombs Toyota 13526 W I-10 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249 Sales: 866-783-9870 Service: 866-789-4627 Parts: 888-355-3918 Red McCombs Hyundai 4800 NW I-410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 844-452-3877 Service: 844-452-3877 Parts: 844-452-3877 Red McCombs Body Shop 4800 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA Sales: 210-377-3864 Service: 210-377-3864 Parts: 210-377-3864 Universal Toyota 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-944-4768 Service: 210-944-4768 Parts: 210-944-4768 Red McCombs Ford 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors CENTRAL 8333 I-10, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA Sales: 833-504-1993 Service: 833-491-0790 Parts: 877-738-2159 Drive Away Motors WEST 7111 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA Sales: 833-711-9378 Service: 855-370-3663 Parts: 844-385-7247 Drive Away Motors SOUTH 12102 I-35, San Antonio, TX 78233, USA Sales: 210-757-4632 Service: 210-757-4632 Parts: 210-757-4632

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