Yes, Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair advises that you should stop driving your car if you hear clanking noises coming from the engine. Any type of metallic noise suggests that you do not have oil circulating through the engine. Continuing to drive your automobile will damage the engine irreparably. One thing that can prevent the oil from circulating through the engine is a clogged oil filter. If you have not had your oil changed in a long time, both the filter and the oil are dirty. Aside from the metallic noises, here are other signs that your oil filter is clogged and affecting the oil circulation.
Reduced Engine Performance
Your engine cannot perform well if dirty motor oil is circulating through it. The engine performance will also be affected if you have no oil circulating through it. Your engine relies on many things, including fluids, to help it to run efficiently. Dirty motor oil will affect your engine’s efficiency and cause it to sputter and lag. It may also cause the engine to overheat.
Reduction in the Gas Mileage
Consequently, you will notice a reduction in the gas mileage that your vehicle gets until you change the motor oil and oil filter. When the engine sees a reduction in its performance, it will burn more gasoline to overcompensate for the engine’s power loss. The more fuel the engine burns the more often you will need to head to the service station to refill the tank.
Reduction in the Oil Pressure
In addition to the reduced fuel economy, the engine will also suffer from reduced oil pressure. The clogged oil filter directly affects the oil’s ability to flow through it and circulate through the engine. This will reduce the oil pressure to the point that you will end up with an oil warning light illuminated on the dashboard. This light will stay on because the oil pressure is low, the oil is dirty and needs to be changed, and the oil filter is clogged and needs to be changed.
Increased Exhaust Emissions
All of these things cause an increase in the hydrocarbons that are found in your automobile’s exhaust. Consequently, if you live in an area where you need to have regular emissions testing, your vehicle will fail the test due to the increase in hydrocarbons.
Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair in Chesterton, IN, is here to help, so call us today to schedule an oil change service. This will replace the clogged filter and restore your engine’s performance.