Motor oil color: What you should know for your car's health

 As you well know by now, motor oil is key to your car's health and longevity (and let's be realistic - resale value, too). It's important to keep your oil full and clean at all times so your engine and all of its moving parts stay cool and lubricated. It's also important to troubleshoot your oil from time to time as you check it to make sure nothing is wrong with it. One important aspect to take note of is your motor oil color - here's a quick guide from the experts at Toyota of N Charlotte. 

The five motor oil colors you should know 

Color #1: Amber or caramel-colored 

If your motor oil in your N Charlotte Toyota is amber or caramel-colored, you're in good shape - this is the color it SHOULD be. Clean oil is typically this hue and if you check your oil and see this color on the dipstick, it means your car is in good shape. 

Color #2: Creamy-colored with a milky texture 

If you check your car's oil and notice that it's creamy in color with a milky texture, you could have a head gasket leak. If you also notice that your car is blowing white smoke or losing coolant, this is definitely the case. Bring your car to our Charlotte car care center immediately. A head gasket leak can lead to serious and costly damage to your car if you don't address it ASAP. 

Color #3: Creamy-colored with a frothy texture 

On the other hand, if you notice that your motor oil is creamy-colored with a frothy texture, you could have water in your oil. Check your coolant level and make sure your engine isn't putting out white smoke. If coolant levels are normal and you don't see any smoke, it's definitely water contamination. Let our Charlotte auto service techs take a look under the hood to see what's going on. 

Color #4: A hue slightly darker than amber. 

If you check your motor oil and it's slightly darker than amber or caramel, don't panic. You could be using an oil that has more additives. Ask your Charlotte car care tech which oil you have under the hood. 

Color #5: Dark brown or black oil 

However, if the oil in your car's engine is really dark brown or black, then you need an oil change ASAP. This indicates that it's full of dirt and has been cycled through the engine too many times. Dirty engine oil can cause major (and expensive) problems under the hood. 

Visit Toyota of N Charlotte today for all of your motor oil needs 

Schedule an oil change at Toyota of N Charlotte today! Our Toyota service center is located conveniently just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road. Call us today to schedule at (704) 659-2025!