Your truck doesn’t get the gas mileage it used to, and you’re at a loss trying to determine the cause. You’re not towing or hauling heavier loads than you usually do. You’re not spending more time stuck in school traffic. The cause of the extra time you’re spending at the pump may be your motor isn’t getting enough oxygen to combust the fuel in your tank. Here’s how you can tell it is time for your RAM oil change.
You Can’t Remember the Last Time You Brought Your Truck in for an Oil Change
If you can’t remember the last time you brought your truck in for an oil change, the time is now to schedule an appointment. After your oil change, make a note in your phone of the mileage and keep in mind that oil changes performed with synthetic motor oil should occur every 12,500 miles.
Oil changes performed with conventional motor oil should occur every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Also, you should keep in mind that you should get an oil change at least once annually if you opt for synthetic motor oil and do not drive 12,500 miles in 12 months.
Your Fuel Efficiency Isn’t What It Used to Be
Another sign it is time to bring your truck in for an oil change is you are fueling up more often than you should be fueling up. Depending on whether you have a diesel- or gasoline-fueled motor, your motor needs 14.5 or 14.7 kg of air to combust one kg of fuel. If you go too long without an oil change, there is too much sludge in your fuel and efficient fuel combustion does not occur. This results in spending too much time at the fuel pump.
Your Truck Is Accelerating Slowly
If your truck is accelerating more slowly than you think it should, particularly if you’re not towing or hauling a heavy load, it is time to bring your truck in for a professional oil change. Over time, deposits form in your motor oil. As more time passes, these deposits turn into sludge. This sludge circulates throughout your motor and decreases its power, decreasing acceleration.
You Smell Something Funny
If you smell something oily, you may have an oil leak. If you smell something burning, that may be burning motor oil, and your engine may overheat. If you smell something sweet or reminiscent of fish oil, you may have a different kind of fluid leak. Your local certified RAM technician can identify the source of the leak and fix it before serious damage is done to your vehicle.
There are several signs it is time to bring your truck in for an oil change, including fuel inefficiency and not remembering the last time your oil change was performed by a certified RAM technician. If you can’t remember the last time you had your motor oil changed by a professional, contact us today at Tom O’Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram to schedule a service appointment.
Image via Ramtrucks.com
Connect with us
