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What causes engine oil to turn dark quickly?
I know that oil gets darker over time, but I feel like it’s happening in my engine way too fast. I changed my oil, checked it a few hours later, and it was already brown. What might cause engine oil to turn dark so quickly?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Excellent question! Actually, a few hours is more than enough time for your engine oil to take a brownish hue—it really only takes about 30 seconds! The color change is because the oil picks up the grease and grime that occurs naturally in your engine.
A dark brown coloring in your oil is nothing to worry about. Even oil that is almost black isn’t too serious as it’s caused by soot which isn’t harmful unless it builds up too much. Your engine will naturally produce soot over time. If you think it’s producing too much, you may want to have a mechanic examine your injection system
It’s important to keep a close eye on your car for signs that something might be off—even if it turns out to be nothing serious. It’s also important to keep a close eye on your [car insurance[(
https://getjerry.com/car-insurance
) policy and review your coverage at least once a year. Jerry
, the free car insurance comparison app, can help you with that review. It can also help your search for better deals and witch you over. Even better, the average Jerry driver saves $800+ per year on their car insurance!View full answer
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