The Subaru Impreza is an impressive family car in both the sedan and hatch configuration. There are plenty of features to enjoy, and the safety record for the Impreza is impressive, much like any other Subaru car. However, any car is a complex machine composed of a huge number of components, and many of these are mechanical parts. These surfaces need lubricating with oil to reduce friction and avoid warping and overheating problems in the engine. This is why it’s important to get the oil changed in your Impreza, and the car will run better after this procedure has been completed. Here are five clear signs that your Subaru Impreza needs an oil change today.
1. Black and Gritty Oil
If you’ve ever put new oil in your car or seen someone else do this, you probably notice the consistency and the colour. Fresh motor oil has a lovely clean amber colour, and when it pours, it’s thick, smooth and viscous. This oil is ideal for lubrication, but motor oil works extremely hard, and it doesn’t remain in this state for long. After only a few weeks of hard work, the fresh motor oil will turn darker in colour, and it will gradually degrade over time. This is a natural process, particles will begin to be captured by the oil, these will be carried throughout the engine, and the oil will lose much of its viscosity. This dirtier motor oil is very bad for your engine; the dirty particles will damage sensitive components, friction will be increased, and the oil can form clogs in the sump that can ruin the engine entirely. If you notice that your motor oil looks black or dirty, it’s time to get an oil change for your Subaru Impreza.
2. The Engine Sounds Louder Than Normal
The main function of motor oil is to lubricate the moving mechanical parts in the engine. This reduces friction to keep heat under control, and it prevents these components from rubbing or grinding up against each other and causing damage. When the properties of the oil have changed or failed entirely, the oil cannot provide an adequate level of lubrication to these parts. This will result in some loud noises coming from inside the engine itself, and these sounds cannot be ignored. If you can hear grinding metallic noises coming from your car, this is a sure sign that you need an oil change quickly. The longer you delay, the more damage can be caused to the components making the noise. This can result in a hefty repair bill, and the longer this goes on, the more expensive the repair will be.
3. You Have No Idea When the Oil Was Last Changed
Let’s face it, we lead busy lives, and it’s easy to become distracted and forget things. This is why most car manufacturers have a very general set of guidelines when it comes to things like oil changes. There is some latitude, but this cannot go on indefinitely, and as we have seen, an oil change is important to keep your car running smoothly. So, if you think about your car and you cannot remember when the oil was changed, it’s likely that an oil change is past due. An oil change is cheap when you consider the repair bills that it helps to avoid and the boost in performance that your car will receive afterwards. Some service providers fill out a sticker and place it in the engine bay when an oil change has been completed, and it’s worth checking to see if you have one in your car.
4. A Low Level of Oil During a Check
It’s easy to check the oil level in your Subaru Impreza, and you don’t need any formal mechanical training. Simply extract the dip stick, wipe it, re-insert it, draw it out again and check that the level is above the minimum marking. If the oil is well below the mark and it looks black and dirty, this is a sure sign that your car needs an urgent oil change. If the oil is between the minimum and maximum mark and it looks in good condition, you just need to top it up. Make sure you have the correct oil for your car and add a little using a funnel to the engine. If you’re not sure where to pour, check your owner’s manual for detailed information. Allow the oil to settle and periodically repeat the dipstick procedure detailed above to check the oil level. When the oil level is near or on the maximum level, you can stop and replace the oil filler cap.
5. The Engine Check Light is Illuminated
A modern car has a host of warning lights to tell us that’s it’s time for a service or that an oil change is needed. Sadly, some drivers ignore these lights, and this can result in problems later on. If the engine light is illuminated on your dashboard, this is a sign that something is wrong. This could be a complex engineering problem that requires the attention of a professional mechanic. But, sometimes, it just means that a simple oil change is needed to improve the lubrication levels.
How Often Should Oil be Changed?
As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to change the oil in any car every 4,800km or so. A newer Impreza could work well for 8,000-11,000km, depending on the age of the car and the amount of use. There are a wide number of recommended oil change intervals for every car manufacturer and model they make. If you are in any doubt that your Impreza oil needs a change, it’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual or simply get the oil change done anyway. An oil change isn’t expensive, and the car runs far better after it’s been carried out anyway.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Subaru Impreza, contact Subaru Maddington to arrange a no obligation test drive today.
