Car Leaking Oil After Oil Change

Regular oil changes are vital to keeping your vehicle's engine performing at its best. Otherwise, you run the risk of eventual engine failure, which would leave you without a working automobile in Miami, Hollywood, or Miami Beach. You usually expect everything to operate smoothly after your car's oil has just been changed. However, what happens if you stumble across a small pool of oil underneath your vehicle after an oil change? If this happens, you're probably wondering what the cause of it is and what to do.  

So, let's say you recently had an oil change done to your vehicle, but now, your car has an oil leak. There are different reasons why your car may be leaking oil after an oil change, which we'll go over below.

Read through this informative guide and feel free to contact the Audi North Miami Service Center if you have any questions.

Oil Leak After Oil Change Causes:

• Degraded Part

One of the major reasons why an engine leaks oil after an oil change is from rotted engine gaskets, oil seals, or bad connections. If you get under the car, check the oil pan seals and oil pan drain plug. You'll then want to check the timing cover seal and valve cover gaskets to see what shape they're in. If anything looks off, have a service technician resolve the issue.

• Improper Fitting of Oil Filter

You may decide to perform an oil change yourself. While it's possible to do this at home, it could lead to an oil leak depending on the circumstances and procedure. How could this happen? Well, it could happen if the new oil filter isn't installed properly.

The filter is what keeps the oil clean, which is why it needs to be swapped out for a new one during every oil change. If the filter isn't properly fitted or is the wrong size, then it could cause a leak and put the health of your engine at risk.

• Issues with the Plug & Cap

Whenever you add or drain oil, you're doing it from an oil plug and cap. If these parts are too worn down or don't have a tight seal, then oil can seep through the threading.

• Overfilling the Oil

You can easily check for oil leaks around the cap since it's located on top of the engine. The plug, however, is positioned on the oil pan underneath the engine. This can be hard to get to if your car isn't on a jack. Therefore, you can check for any oil spots on the ground where you're parked to see if it's leaking. If too much oil is poured into the reservoir, it could foam up inside the engine, reducing the hydraulic pressure. It could also put extra pressure on the engine oil system, causing the seals and gasket to leak.

Preventing Oil Leaks

Now that we have discussed the reasons that your oil can leak after an oil change, let's talk about preventative measures to keep the engine operating properly. Every vehicle needs routine service over its lifespan. To maintain your vehicle's performance and prevent oil leaks, adhere by the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.

We already mentioned the necessity of routine oil changes. However, when do you know when your car needs an oil change? After all, you want to make sure this crucial service is performed before the oil pressure indicator appears. When it illuminates, your vehicle's engine has likely lost much of its ability to stay lubricated due to low- or poor-quality oil. This mileage interval can vary quite a lot depending on the type of oil used, how often you drive, and the typical driving conditions your vehicle is exposed to.

Save on your next maintenance appointment with our Audi service specials!

When to Get Your Oil Changed

 The first question you should ask yourself is, does your car take conventional or synthetic oil? If you use conventional oil and have an older model vehicle, you can expect to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Today's cars are designed to last longer between oil changes and many drivers have switched to synthetic oil for its longer lifespan. It generally has a range between 5,000 miles and 10,000 miles.

However, it's important to understand the other factors that play into your oil's overall health and longevity. Some of these include:

• Frequent driving on hilly terrain
• Idling often in heavy traffic
• Exposure to extreme temperatures

Car owners should also get into the habit of inspecting their oil once a month to ensure the engine has a proper amount of oil and that it's in good condition. Luckily, our service technicians can assess it for you and give an idea of when your next oil change should occur.

Schedule Automotive Service Today! 

As you can see, there are many reasons why your vehicle may be leaking oil after an oil change. Don't fret. The expert service technicians at Audi North Miami can help.

They'll check all the parts under the vehicle to see that everything looks good. If anything needs to be replaced, they'll do so using genuine OEM parts. Plus, they'll make sure that everything is installed correctly and tightly to help prevent an oil leak from occurring again.

If you need help resolving any oil leaks, don't wait. Schedule a maintenance appointment near Miami, Hollywood, and Miami Beach for service today!