Do I need to change engine oil in this case?

[sdpapet]

Hello, recently when I step on gas to accelerate, I hear my engine has some low, muffled noise. I was wondering if this means that I need to change engine oil. I don't drive a lot (couple of thousands miles every year). I have a sticker on my car windows and indicates that I need to change oil early this year. When I drove to a official service center in May. The engineer told me the mileage doesn't reach, although the time is up. I shouldn't change oil. -- Is this true (Or they just want to save to the oil, I had warranty at that time)? or Which comes first I should change oil? Do you know if my engine noise is related to oil?

If not, I have to go to a service center to have them do a 21 point check to figure it out. However, my 3 year warranty is expired. I don't think chevy official center wouldn't do it free. I would like to go to a trustable third-party center like Autozone? I am wondering if Autozone will be cheaper (check, change oil) and if they have the engine oil for sonic?

Thanks

 

[Natesriv]

Does it sound like fluid sloshing about? That could be your a little low on coolant. With car COOL, on a flat surface see if your coolant reservoir is up the max line. If not, add the orange DEXCOOL coolant using a 50/50 blend of water and coolant.

 

[Natesriv]

You'll also want to change your oil life monitor with each oil change. Use that to judge when it's time to change the oil. When you're down to about 20%, probably a good time to do it. Also make sure you check your oil level every so often. If your oil light goes on in the car, that's about TOO LATE

 

[sdpapet]

Does it sound like fluid sloshing about? That could be your a little low on coolant. With car COOL, on a flat surface see if your coolant reservoir is up the max line. If not, add the orange DEXCOOL coolant using a 50/50 blend of water and coolant.

Thanks. Can you give me a link (e.g., Amazon or other shopping website). I just want to know exactly which one I should buy.

Thanks.

 

[sdpapet]

BTW, I just checked. coolant is lower than half (40%). Does this consider low? If I buy coolant, should I empty the leftover? or I can add new one directly into it? Is the color important? (Mine currently is pink color). You suggest orange? Is there any premixed coolant to sell?

 

[Maddmatts]

GM's "Dexcool" coolant is orange in North America. It's possible that different colours were used in other regions. Check your user manual under "Vehicle Care" for specifics.

It doesn't sound like you're running low. The reservoir should only be filled close to the seam about halfway up. A little under that is fine as long as it isn't getting lower over time.

 

[sdpapet]

GM's "Dexcool" coolant is orange in North America. It's possible that different colours were used in other regions. Check your user manual under "Vehicle Care" for specifics.

It doesn't sound like you're running low. The reservoir should only be filled close to the seam about halfway up. A little under that is fine as long as it isn't getting lower over time.

1> I posted the photo of my coolant tank. The waterline is below the half of tank? So, you think this is not low? I shouldn't worry about coolant? It's not a coolant problem? I thought it is low. I don't know where the water line should be at? I suppose it should be anywhere close to the opening.

2> Also, for the color. I don't know what is the brand of coolant in the tank. I really think this is pink color. What is "Dexcool" coolant (orange) looks like? Unless you call this "pink" is "orange". Otherwise, it shouldn't be Dexcool in my tank. (I have never seen Dexcool color before). Any ideas? what kind of coolant in my tank.

Thanks

 

[Natesriv]

You're a little low... there's a "MAX" line above the seam of that tank. Fill to there WHEN CAR IS LEVEL AND COOLED OFF.
Any autoparts store can help you with that.
Prestone DEX-COOL 50/50 Prediluted Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant (1 Gallon) AF850: Advance Auto Parts
The above link is stuff you can pour directly into that tank up the full line. I bet you'll not hear that sloshing sound again.
Good luck amigo!

 

[Maddmatts]

Coolant level looks ok to me as it's well above the outlet. Adding a little more is perfectly ok if you want to. The colour looks fine too. It only looks pink through the plastic.

 

[sdpapet]

Coolant level looks ok to me as it's well above the outlet. Adding a little more is perfectly ok if you want to. The color looks fine too. It only looks pink through the plastic.

So, you mean the coolant in my tank is actually DEX-Cool orange? It is just looks like pink? If this is true, I will buy DEX-Cool orange. I am trying to avoid mix two different coolants together.

Thanks

 

[sdpapet]

FYI, just came back from service center. They didn't find engine problem and they didn't think the coolant is low. They told me coolant should always be half full of the tank (weird).

They change the engine oil. After they changed the oil, I hear the noise is down. At least, I feel it is lower. So, it might need new oil.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

 

[Papasonic]

Hello, recently when I step on gas to accelerate, I hear my engine has some low, muffled noise. I was wondering if this means that I need to change engine oil. I don't drive a lot (couple of thousands miles every year). I have a sticker on my car windows and indicates that I need to change oil early this year. When I drove to a official service center in May. The engineer told me the mileage doesn't reach, although the time is up. I shouldn't change oil. -- Is this true (Or they just want to save to the oil, I had warranty at that time)? or Which comes first I should change oil? Do you know if my engine noise is related to oil?

If not, I have to go to a service center to have them do a 21 point check to figure it out. However, my 3 year warranty is expired. I don't think chevy official center wouldn't do it free. I would like to go to a trustable third-party center like Autozone? I am wondering if Autozone will be cheaper (check, change oil) and if they have the engine oil for sonic?



Thanks

Regarding a muffled noise while accelerating; that would be difficult to diagnose by a description over the internet. Possibly an exhaust system leak.

The engine oil would not be responsible for a noise in the engine unless the oil was very low on quantity. An engine very low on oil would make a knocking or clicking noise. Engine oil should be checked frequently, and maintained at or near the full level; adding some if necessary between oil changes. It is recommended to change oil at least once yearly if the mileage is insufficient to require more frequent changes.

The coolant in your system appears to be normal, but the level should be maintained at the tank seam, (half way up in the tank). It should be changed around the 5 year interval.

Good luck finding a trustworthy facility for your car care. I, like many others, do my own maintenance and repairs, and cringe at the thought of others working on my vehicles. You, it appears, are at the mercy of someone you can find and trust to help you maintain your vehicle.