How to correctly dispose of used engine oil

In order to assess the condition of the oil, you need to check its colour and general appearance. New oil is light brown and transparent. Over time as it’s used, it begins to change. It gets darker and slowly becomes thicker and turns opaque. Whereas fresh oil looks similar to maple syrup, oil that’s been used for thousands of miles tends to be black and much more viscous, eventually taking on a tar-like appearance. If your oil looks like this, the chances are it’s time to change it.

If you’re prepared to get your hands dirty, you can also check its consistency. Take a small amount of oil from the end of the dipstick and simply rub it between your fingers. If you notice any grit, this is another sign that it may need to be replaced.

It’s also possible to see if you need an oil change without even opening the bonnet. Your car manual will outline the number of miles you can drive before changing your oil, so a straightforward calculation should help you to decide if you need to take action. Vehicle manufacturers used to advise drivers to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but thanks to improvements in the lubricants now used in cars, this figure is usually much higher. Furthermore, we recommend checking once a month or before long distance journeys.

Also, lots of modern cars keep track of scheduled oil changes themselves. If your vehicle does this, a warning light will appear on your dashboard when your next change is due.

There are also tell-tale signs to watch out for that could suggest your car needs new oil. For example, if your oil level keeps dropping, this may suggest you have a leak or that your oil is losing its lubricating properties and your engine is therefore using more of it to keep running smoothly.

In addition, if your engine starts to sound louder than usual, this is another hint that something could be amiss with your oil. Increased noise can be a sign that the moving parts in your engine are grinding against each other, potentially causing damage.

If you’re not sure if your engine oil needs to be replaced, get an expert to check it out. When it comes to keeping your engine running smoothly, there’s no room for taking risks. If you leave it too long between changes, you could do serious damage to your car and land yourself with a big bill.

 For expert advice, you can call into your nearest Kwik Fit centre for a free oil check.

Most people get specialist technicians to change their engine oil, but if you prefer to get stuck in and do these types of vehicle maintenance tasks yourself, it’s important that you know what you’re doing. This liquid can be dangerous and polluting if it’s not handled correctly, so make sure you take extra care when doing this and have all the relevant equipment to hand.

For example, you should ensure you have an oil spill kit on standby before you drain the old oil from your engine. You can buy this equipment online, from DIY chains or from car part suppliers. You’ll also need a purpose-made sump canister or a drip tray to hold the oil safely as you drain it.

It’s vital that you store your used oil in a suitable plastic or metal container until you’re able to dispose of it. The container you use must have a lid that you can fasten securely to prevent any spills when you’re transporting it. Ensure you don’t mix the oil with household chemicals or other automotive fluids, and avoid using containers that have previously stored these substances.

If you’re not sure whether your car needs new oil, or you don’t fancy the job of changing your oil yourself, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Kwik Fit. Our oil and filter change package includes an oil and filter change, as well as a range of other important car safety checks. This could be ideal if you want to ensure your engine’s running smoothly but you don’t want to arrange a full service.

Contact us to find out more or to book an appointment.