Clean VS Dirty Engine Oil: How To Identify?

We all know that quality oil is mandatory to keep the engine well in the long run. But changing the oil is also mandatory for its performance. However, a few car owners keep topping up engine oil without changing it which is not an ideal practice though. Furthermore, sometimes topping up becomes necessary if the oil level gets low. 

But old oil can be dirty and do endless damage to the engine. So before topping up, you must check whether the engine oil is clean or dirty. If the oil is dirty, you should go for an oil change rather than a top-up. But how will you identify clean and dirty oil? 

I have the solution for you. In the below segment, I have compared clean vs. dirty engine oil which helps you to understand the oil condition so you can make a better decision. 

How to Check the Engine Oil?

A short guide before starting up. You should know the proper way to oil check. Usually, there is an oil dipstick, utilized to check the oil level and its condition. You can notice it in the front of the engine with a bright-colored handle, mostly yellow or orange. You need to pull the dipstick and here you check the oil level, color, and consistency.

Clean VS Dirty Engine Oil: What’s the Difference?

With a visual inspection, you can find out the differences between clean and dirty engine oil. Here are the things you should look for:

Criteria	Clean VS Dirty Engine Oil
Color	Seeing the oil’s color, you can instantly guess whether it is clean or dirty. Many experts first observe the color to find the condition. However, clean oil has a golden amber to reddish-brown color depending on the brand and type you have used.  If the oil is dirty, you will see a darker color brown to black. The older and dirtier oil, the darker its color.
Viscosity	Viscosity means the consistency of the liquid.  and it tells the differences between clean and dirty engine oil. There is a various range of viscosity ratings for the engine oil. The rating describes the oil’s thickness and how easily engine oil flows.  Clean oil has a nice flow. On the contrary, dirtier oil has a higher viscosity as it eats up contaminants. If the oil is dirty, it will be thick enough and won’t flow or drop from the dipstick.
Texture	Another effective way of testing the oil is the texture. Dirty oil has a sludgy, gritty, and sticky texture. When touch the dirty oil, it feels sticky, and feel the build-up of residues. Clean oil features a smooth and clear texture
Impurities	Surely, clean oil is free from contaminants, only detergent and base oil. And you will find impurities in the dirty oil which is the main reason for this condition. The oil collects dust, dirt, ash, metal particles, and other impurities over time.

How To Tell When Your Engine Oil is Dirty?

Dirty oil doesn’t deliver a good engine performance as you expected. So without visual inspection, you can tell whether your engine oil is dirty. The engine oil is dirty, if you experience: 

• Black smoke from the exhaust pipe: Dirty oil produces black smoke. So if you see it coming from your engine exhaust pipe, then it is a sign. 

• Engine Warning Lights: When your engine requires fresh oil, the check engine light may be coming on. The light can be caused for various reasons. So whenever you see the light, check the oil level and its consistency.  

• Engine Overheating: If the engine is getting hotter than normal, then this could be an indication. Because dirty oil doesn’t lubricant the engine properly puts extra strain on the engine and causes overheating.

•  Hear sound: You can also hear a knocking sound coming from the engine due to dirty oil. 

• Poor Fuel Mileage: Another major sign that you will experience is low mileage. Dirty oil reduces fuel efficiency. Because of its viscosity, the engine causes extra drag on moving parts. 

So, these are some major signs that something is wrong with the engine oil. Whenever you have these issues, immediately check the engine oil and change it immediately to prevent further damage. 

How do I Keep My Engine Oil Clean?

Dirty oil can cause a range of damage to your car engine. So it is necessary to take the necessary steps to keep engine oil clean.

Here are the steps that you can take in this regard:

• Change oil regularly

Changing oil is the most effective way to prevent engine oil from getting too dirty. It is a healthy practice. According to your car model and type, you should change the oil every 3000-5000 miles. Since over time, the oil gets dirtier, it is mandatory to change the oil at specific intervals. 

• Change oil filter

An oil filter plays an important role in keeping the engine oil clean. It highly resists entering contaminants in the engine oil and prevents wear and tear. 

• Clean the engine sludge regularly

Like changing engine oil, you should clean sludge regularly. Clean oil becomes a contaminant when it mixes with old sludge. So use sludge remover to prevent rapid decline.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the symptoms of dirty engine oil?

There are several symptoms of dirty engine oil such as

• Dark color
• Thick and sticky consistency
• Dark smoke from the exhaust pipe
• Hearing knocking sound
• Overheating engine

What happens if you add clean oil to dirty oil?

If you add clean oil to dirty oil, the clean oil will get contaminated and lose its effectiveness. It won’t provide the same performance that you expect after an oil change. So you should drain the dirty oil and put it in clean oil.

What happens if you change the oil but not the oil filter?

It’s recommended to change the oil filter while changing the oil. Oil filters prevent impurities from entering the engine and maintain a good oil flow. So if you don’t change it regularly, the filter can clog over time and lose its efficiency. 

Clean VS Dirty Engine Oil: Comparison Table

Features	Clean Oil	Dirty Oil
Color and consistency	Amber and consistent	Dark and gritty
Lubrication	Provides optimal lubrication and reduces friction	Reduced lubrication leads to increased friction and wear
Engine Performance	Improves engine performance	Reduces engine performance
Engine Life	Helps extend engine life	Shortens engine life due to increased wear
Fuel Economy	Contributes to better fuel economy	Reduces fuel economy and increases emissions
Risks to the Engine	Low risk of damage or failure	High risk of damage or failure due to a lack of lubrication
Recommended Action	Regular oil changes and proper maintenance	Immediate oil change and engine inspection