Always pay attention to your car's performance level. If performance is suffering, the car will not pick up speed as much as it should and the accelerator will feel like it is not working properly. You will still be able to hear the engine run but the engine will not perform as it should. Driving on this low level of performance for a long period of time may damage essential parts of the vehicle.
Sputtering in your car is most likely related to a clogged oil filter. When this happens, the oil filter will not release oil as it should and your car will not be able to keep up with the speed that you want. Even if sputtering is very light, it could lead to a much bigger problem.
A lack of oil in the engine will cause metal to grind against metal as the engine works. The metallic sounds you hear coming from the engine are a sign that you must pull over immediately before more damage is done to your car. You will need to get the oil filter repaired, as well as add more oil into the system.
You can actually read the oil pressure gauge on the dash while you are driving—a steep drop in oil pressure should be cause for concern. Normally, your oil pressure will not drop more than a fraction of a percent while you are driving. Rapid pressure changes could cause serious problems for your car.
If your oil filter is clogged, the exhaust coming out of your car could be black or dirty. When this happens, you will smell the oil burning as it passes into the exhaust pipe. These odors are a clear sign that you must bring the car into a local shop for assistance as soon as possible. Your service technician will then replace the oil filter, fix the clog in the oil system and remove any sludge that has made its way into the car. If you prefer to do-it-yourself, shop our selection of oil filters today.
Poor performing or low grade filters can allow dirt and harmful contaminants into the engine, causing harm to your car. To learn about other vehicle warning signs, visit the maintenence section
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