Call Car Doctors Auto Repair right away to schedule a service appointment if you are having any of the following problems with your import. We also recommend that you avoid driving the vehicle to prevent damaging the engine. The following are signs that your oil filter is clogged and the oil circulation throughout the engine is compromised. This can damage the engine beyond repair.
Iffy Engine Performance
One of the first things that you are going to notice is that your engine’s performance will be affected by the clogged oil filter and reduced oil circulation. The engine will run rougher than normal and may also sputter and struggle to produce power. You may also find that the engine is louder and hotter than it normally is. All of these things point to poor oil circulation.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Unfortunately, the reduced engine performance is also going to reduce your import’s fuel economy. This is unfortunate but unavoidable. Anytime the engine struggles to produce power it burns more gasoline. Consequently, you are going to spend more money keeping your tank full than you would for an oil change. The oil filter is replaced when the oil is changed.
Reduced Oil Pressure
Another thing that is going to affect the engine’s performance is a reduction in the oil’s pressure. Unfortunately, as we mentioned above, this means that you don’t have as much oil circulating through the engine to protect it and draw heat away from it. Naturally, the sensors in your engine are going to report a problem if the oil pressure is low. Consequently, you will end up with an illuminated oil light.
Clanking Engine Noises
As we mentioned above, it’s a better idea to have your import towed to our shop if the oil filter is clogged because you may not have oil circulating through the engine. When this happens, you will hear clanking, grinding, and other metallic noises coming from the engine. If you continue to drive your import when the engine is making this noise, you could damage it beyond repair.
Excess Bad Emissions
Finally, you may end up failing an emissions test if the oil filter is clogged. This is because what motor oil that is circulating through the engine is depositing grime throughout. Consequently, your engine gets dirty and the number of hydrocarbons, i.e., bad emissions found in the exhaust increases exponentially.
Again, call Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA, today to schedule a service appointment if your import is overdue for an oil change.
