A sudden car shutdown immediately following an oil change can be an unnerving and frustrating situation.
You’ve just taken your car in for a routine oil change, expecting a smooth and routine maintenance procedure, only to find your car unexpectedly stalling or cutting off shortly after leaving the service station.
Understanding these symptoms and possible reasons behind this is important to quickly address and resolve the problem.
Here’s why your car cut off after an oil change:
1. Your oil level is low
A low oil level in your car’s engine can lead to engine shutdown or stalling after an oil change due to insufficient lubrication, damaged engine components, and oil pressure safety mechanism that shuts off the engine.
Oil acts as a lubricant within the engine, reducing friction between moving parts. When the oil level is low, there isn’t enough lubrication to properly coat and protect these components.
This lack of lubrication can cause increased friction and heat, leading to the engine seizing or overheating, ultimately resulting in the car shutting down to prevent further damage.
Running an engine with low oil levels can also cause significant damage to various engine parts, including bearings, pistons, and camshafts.
The lack of lubrication can lead to increased wear and tear and potentially catastrophic failure of these components, resulting in the engine cutting off abruptly.
Modern cars are equipped with oil pressure sensors that monitor the oil pressure in the engine. If the oil level drops too low, it can trigger a warning light on the dashboard or activate a safety mechanism that shuts off the engine to prevent severe damage.
Signs of low oil level:
- Dashboard warning light.
- Engine noises.
- Oil leaks.
- Checking the oil level using the dipstick shows the oil level is below the recommended range
Solution:
Verify the oil level using the dipstick and add oil if necessary, ensuring it’s within the recommended range.
Check for any signs of oil leaks or damage to the oil pan, oil filter, or other components that could lead to oil loss.
If the problem persists, seek help from a qualified mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Related: Car creaking after oil change (Explained)
2. The oil filter has a problem
Oil filter issues can affect your car’s operation after an oil change, leading to your car cutting off or experiencing engine problems.
This can be caused by restriction of oil flow due to an incorrectly installed or clogged filter.
An incorrectly installed or clogged oil filter can prevent the flow of oil to the engine. A clogged filter obstructs the passage of clean oil, limiting its supply to critical engine parts.
This restriction in oil flow can cause a drop in oil pressure, triggering the engine’s safety mechanisms to shut down or stall the car to prevent damage from inadequate lubrication.
By-pass valve malfunction of the filter can also prevent the flow of oil. Oil filters have a bypass valve designed to allow oil flow even if the filter is clogged to prevent complete oil starvation to the engine.
However, if this valve malfunctions or if the filter is severely clogged, it can lead to insufficient oil reaching the engine, causing it to shut off.
Signs of oil filter issues
- Low oil pressure warning on the dashboard signals low oil pressure.
- A decrease in engine power, rough idling, or difficulty accelerating due to inadequate lubrication reaching critical engine parts.
- Unusual noises such as ticking, knocking, or clanking sounds from increased friction between engine parts due to inadequate lubrication.
- Visible contaminants in the engine oil or metallic debris in the oil due to a filter that is clogged or damaged.
Solution:
Seek assistance from a qualified mechanic to diagnose and rectify the issue. This includes checking the oil filter for proper installation and ensuring it’s the correct filter for your car.
They will also inspect the filter for any signs of damage, clogs, or contaminants that might hinder oil flow. They will replace the oil filter with a new compatible filter if any issues are detected.
Regularly replacing the oil filter during routine oil changes according to the manufacturer’s recommendations is also important for maintaining proper engine function.
3. Parts are loose or improperly fitted
A car that cuts off after an oil change can also be caused by loose or improperly fitted parts.
If the oil drain plug, oil filter, or oil filler cap is not securely tightened or properly fitted after an oil change, it can result in oil leaks.
These leaks can lead to a loss of oil, causing a decrease in oil pressure within the engine. Insufficient oil pressure triggers safety mechanisms that may shut down the engine to prevent damage from inadequate lubrication.
Loose or improperly fitted parts can also disrupt the proper circulation of oil throughout the engine.
This disruption can hinder the flow of oil to critical engine components, leading to oil starvation and subsequent engine shutdown.
Signs of loose or improperly fitted parts
- Visible Oil Leaks oil underneath your car or around the engine area.
- An oil pressure warning light or a check engine light on the dashboard.
- Reduced oil pressure caused by oil leaks due to loose components can lead to engine performance issues this includes decreased engine power, rough idling, or difficulty accelerating.
- A burning smell, especially if accompanied by smoke coming from the engine compartment, indicating oil leaking onto hot engine components due to loose or improperly fitted parts.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose and fix any loose or improperly fitted parts.
They will visually inspect the areas around the oil drain plug, oil filter, and oil filler cap for signs of leaks or loose components.
The fix includes ensuring that these parts are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications and that the oil filter is correctly installed with a new gasket as required.
They will also check for any visible damage or wear on the sealing surfaces or gaskets and replace them if necessary.
Properly securing all components and ensuring a tight seal is important to prevent oil leaks and maintain proper oil circulation within the engine.
Related: Car clicking after oil change (Explained)
4. The oil is contaminated or use of the wrong oil
Contaminated oil or using the wrong type of oil in your car can have detrimental effects after an oil change, causing your car to cut off or experience engine-related issues.
If contaminants such as dirt, metal particles, or debris inadvertently enter the engine during the oil change process, it can lead to contaminated oil.
Contaminated oil cannot properly lubricate and protect engine components, potentially causing damage and leading to engine shutdown or stalling.
Using an incorrect type of oil, whether it’s the wrong viscosity grade or oil that doesn’t meet the car manufacturer’s specifications, can adversely affect engine performance.
This may result in inadequate lubrication, increased friction, and ultimately, engine problems or shutdown.
Signs of contaminated oil or the wrong oil type
- Unusual engine noise due to increased friction between engine components such as knocking, ticking, or grinding sounds.
- Oil pressure warning light or a check engine light might illuminate on the dashboard.
- Poor engine performance.
- Visually inspecting the oil can reveal signs of contamination which appears dark or contains visible particles and impurities.
Solution
A qualified mechanic needs to inspect and address contaminated oil or the wrong type of oil issues.
To fix the problem, draining the excess oil and replacing it with the correct type and amount recommended by the manufacturer is necessary.
5. You have air bubbles in the oil system
The presence of air bubbles in the oil system, particularly after an oil change, can disrupt the proper flow and circulation of oil throughout the engine.
This disruption can lead to various issues causing your car to cut off or experience engine-related problems.
During an oil change, if the system isn’t properly bled or purged of air, air bubbles might get trapped in the oil passages, oil filter, or other components.
These air bubbles can hinder the flow of oil, leading to inadequate lubrication and potential engine shutdown.
Air bubbles in the oil system can also cause a drop in oil pressure. Reduced oil pressure triggers safety mechanisms within the engine control system, which can result in the engine shutting down to prevent damage from insufficient lubrication.
Solution
Solving the problem of air bubbles in the oil system requires bleeding or purging the system to remove the air pockets.
A professional mechanic should perform this task to ensure proper procedures are followed.
By eliminating air from the oil system, proper oil flow and lubrication can be restored, which improves the engine’s performance and responsiveness.
Ensuring proper bleeding of the oil system during an oil change is important for maintaining adequate oil circulation and preventing potential engine problems.
6. There were unrelated preexisting issues
Preexisting problems that are coincidental and not directly caused by the oil change but occur around the same time can lead to your car cutting off or experiencing unexpected issues post-oil change.
These issues might be independent of the maintenance performed during the oil change process. These underlying problems include:
- Electrical problems: Unrelated electrical issues, such as a faulty sensor, malfunctioning ignition system, or problems with the battery or alternator, can cause the car to stall or cut off.
- Fuel system problems: Issues with the fuel system, such as a clogged fuel filter, malfunctioning fuel pump, or fuel injectors, can lead to a lack of proper fuel supply to the engine, resulting in the car stalling or shutting off unexpectedly.
- Mechanical failures: Independent mechanical failures, such as problems with the timing belt, a damaged serpentine belt, or issues with the cooling system, can cause the engine to stop functioning correctly, resulting in the car cutting off.
Solution:
Diagnosing these problems requires a comprehensive inspection by a qualified mechanic. They will assess the car’s systems, identify any faults, and address the underlying problems affecting your car’s operation.