Oil is essential for lubricating the moving parts in your engine, but the lubricating properties of oil do not last forever. There are a few simple ways to tell if your car needs an oil change: Colour has turned dark (when checking the dipstick) The oil is coarse and gritty (when checking the dipstick) Oil level keeps dropping even when regularly topped up Increased engine noise Dirty smoke coming from exhaust Oil warning light is illuminated on the dashboard High mileage since last oil change For more information on the warning signs and when to replace your engine oil, visit our blog. Find Out More