How Often Should I Change My Volvo XC90 Engine Oil?

Various fluids carry out much important function than most of the solid components. Engine oil is one of such fluids used in engine. If you want to make your engine last long, then you have to change the engine oil regularly. In this article, you will know when to change the engine oil in your Volvo XC90 car.

Engine oil

Engine oil can also be called as life to the engine. The health of the engine depends on the type of oil used in your engine. Why this oil is much useful? The engine oil is a lubricant that keeps the engine moving parts lubricated and prevents damage to most of the parts of engine. This oil also prevents the engine from getting overheated and increases the life of the engine. It also increases the engine efficiency and makes the fuel economy to rise.

So you might have got to know how important engine oil to the engine is. But top up of engine oil only one time cannot make your car run effortlessly forever. You also have to change the engine oil in routine basis. Oil can have their lubricating properties deteriorated over time. They get exhausted due to repeated flow through the engine and lubricating it. They may get contaminated by dirt, debris getting into it from engine. They may get leaked out from gaskets and hoses and leave you r engine with low engine oil problem. So to get rid of the bad engine oil and also to keep the engine clean, engine oil change is required.

When to change the oil in your Volvo XC90?

Engine oil is available of two types - conventional and synthetic oil. Both of the oils are used in modern cars. They both have their own merits and demerits. Conventional oils generally last for 5000 miles in Volvo cars. They are cheaper. Synthetic oils are more expensive than conventional ones and generally last for 10000 miles maximum in Volvo. But it is found out in some cars that excessive use of synthetic oils can increase the consumption of oil in engine. But still it will be best for your car to use the recommended oil said by the manufacturers and written in your user manual.

Here are some signs that your engine needs oil change

Engine knocking

If the engine knocks, then know that your oil is either become old or it is in low quantity. Knocking occurs when the engine components strike with each other directly. Good engine oil prevents the direct touching of the components by lubricating them.

Colour of the oil

You can check the oil level and colour by the dipstick. If the oil is cloudy or dark in colour, you have to change it.

Engine gets overheated

Lack of good quality oil can lead to overheating of engine due to more friction.

How to change the oil?

For oil change first of all you should have the recommended oil for your car. Oils that are good for Volvo XC90 are 0W-20, 0W -30, 5W-30, 5W-40. If your car has more than 75000 miles then you can better use the 5W-40 oil.

Other requirements are - oil drain pan, oil filter, oil filter pliers, jack stand, oil funnel, ratchet and ramps.

i. To change the oil, first you have to raise your car on the jack stands after driving on the ramps and blocking the rear wheels.

ii. Find the oil filter cap under the hood and remove it. If there is splash shield, then you can remove it by unbolting the bots.

iii. Put the drain pan to collect the old oil under the drain plug and then remove the drain plug by turning it anticlockwise.

iv. By oil filer pliers, the oil filter is removed. You will see an oil gasket ring at that place. Before installing a new filter, put some oil over the ring gasket.

v. For better results, the copper ring on the drain plug has to be replaced. After the oil is fully drained, the drain plug is then replaced to it place.

vi. Then the oil is poured to the filter plug. To avoid splashing, you can use the oil funnel. Your engine needs necessary amount of oil. More the number of cylinders you have, more the amount of oil you will need.

vii. The filter cap is then replaced to the hole and the oil level is checked.

Conclusion

You have to change the oil filter along with oil. Filter gets clogged and the flow of oil gets reduced. Regular replacement of oil is necessary, so don’t avoid it. Change the oil when the car completes the required mileage.