Facing the confusing situation of your car emitting creaking sounds right after an oil change? Understanding the causes behind your car’s newfound creaking post-oil change and finding viable solutions is important to restoring your peace of mind and your car’s smooth operation.
In this guide, I delve into the potential reasons behind this problem and how to address it.
Here’s why your car creaks after an oil change:
1. You have loose or improperly secured parts
Loose or improperly secured parts in a car after an oil change can significantly contribute to the appearance of creaking noises.
When essential parts, such as skid plates, engine covers, or splash shields, are removed during an oil change and then not reinstalled correctly, it can lead to this.
Improperly secured components may rub against other parts of the car’s undercarriage, engine, or neighboring components.
This contact can create creaking or rubbing noises, particularly noticeable when the car is in motion or when there are shifts in weight or road conditions.
Loose components also vibrate or rattle against each other or adjacent parts due to the movement of the car.
This vibration can produce creaking or clanking sounds, especially during acceleration, deceleration, or when driving over uneven surfaces.
Signs of loose or improperly secured parts
- Unusual noises such as creaking, rubbing, rattling, or clunking noises.
- Parts might appear misaligned, hanging slightly lower than usual, or protruding where they weren’t before.
- Increased vibrations.
- In severe cases, improper installations can affect the car’s handling, causing instability or a change in how the car responds to steering inputs or road conditions.
Solution:
Have a professional mechanic inspect your car. They can identify the problematic areas, tighten or reposition the components correctly, and ensure your car operates smoothly and safely once again.
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2. You have old or worn suspension
A car creaking after an oil change can also be due to old or worn suspension components.
Worn suspension components, such as bushings, ball joints, control arms, or shocks/struts, can lose their effectiveness over time.
This wear can affect the stability and movement of the car, leading to increased movement and potential noises.
While the oil change itself might not cause the creaking, the servicing process can draw attention to pre-existing problems with the suspension.
General signs of old or worn suspension:
- Excessive bouncing or dipping.
- Uneven tire wear.
- Difficulty steering, a feeling of looseness in the steering wheel, or a tendency for the car to drift or pull to one side can be signs of worn suspension parts.
- Knocking, clunking, or creaking noises.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to inspect the suspension system.
They can diagnose the specific components causing the noises, recommend replacements or repairs, and restore your car’s smooth and safe operation.
3. Incorrect oil viscosity or type was used
Incorrect oil viscosity or type used during an oil change can lead to various issues in a car, including creaking noises.
Using oil with an incorrect viscosity or type can affect the engine’s lubrication. If the oil is too thick, it might not flow smoothly, causing inadequate lubrication in certain engine components.
On the other hand, oil that is too thin might not provide sufficient protection against metal-to-metal contact, leading to increased friction and potential noise.
The wrong oil viscosity or type also leads to increased wear on engine components. As a result, parts might experience increased friction, leading to unusual noises, including creaking or grinding sounds.
Different oil viscosities perform differently at various temperatures. Therefore also using oil that’s not suited to your car’s operating temperature range can affect its performance. When the oil doesn’t flow correctly or becomes too thin or thick at different temperatures, it can lead to noisy operation and potential issues.
Solution:
If the wrong oil type of oil viscosity has been used during the oil change, have it drained and replaced with the correct oil as soon as possible to prevent potential damage to the engine.
To prevent these issues, always refer to your car’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended oil viscosity and type for your specific car model.
Using the correct oil ensures proper engine lubrication, performance, and longevity, reducing the likelihood of experiencing vibrations or other engine-related problems after an oil change.
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4. The oil or oil filter is contaminated
Contaminated oil or an oil filter can also lead to creaking noises or other issues in a car following an oil change.
Contaminated oil might contain particles, debris, or impurities that can compromise its lubricating properties.
When this oil circulates through the engine, it might fail to adequately lubricate vital components, leading to increased friction and potential noises.
A faulty or contaminated oil filter can allow impurities or debris to circulate in the engine along with the oil.
If the filter does not effectively trap contaminants, these particles can flow back into the engine, affecting its performance and potentially causing noise.
Contaminated oil circulating through the engine also accelerates wear on engine components due to inadequate lubrication. This increased wear can lead to friction-related noises like creaking or grinding sounds.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose the problem. They can assess the oil quality, drain and replace it with clean oil, and ensure that the correct grade and quality of oil are used to maintain the engine’s health and performance.
Also, replacing the oil filter with a high-quality, compatible filter is important to prevent further contamination.
5. The exhaust system contact problem
Exhaust system contact as a cause of creaking noises after an oil change is relatively rare but plausible.
During an oil change, when the mechanic needs access to the lower parts of the engine, the exhaust system components might be temporarily adjusted, shifted, or moved to facilitate access.
Any slight misalignment or contact made during this process can cause issues.
The exhaust system components are exposed to high temperatures. During normal car operation, these components expand due to heat and contract when they cool down.
If any adjustments were made during the oil change, there’s a possibility that the metal components could move slightly, leading to contact or rubbing against nearby parts as they expand or contract during temperature fluctuations.
Signs of exhaust system contact
- A metallic or creaking sound occurs when the car is in motion or during temperature changes.
- If there’s an exhaust leak due to misaligned components, you might notice unusual odors or fumes near the engine or underneath the car.
- Any visible signs of metal-to-metal contact or rubbing on the exhaust components or neighboring parts after the oil change.
Solution:
A professional mechanic should examine the exhaust components, ensuring proper alignment and clearance from nearby parts.
They will readjust or secure any components that are making contact or causing the noise.
Regular checks during maintenance can help catch and rectify any potential exhaust system misalignment early, preventing unexpected noises or damage to the car.
6. Effect of weather on metal expansion and contraction
A car creaking after an oil change can also be caused by temperature-related expansion and contraction of metal car parts particularly if adjustments or repairs were made to various components.
Metal parts within a car, including the engine, exhaust system, suspension components, and chassis, undergo expansion and contraction as temperatures fluctuate.
During an oil change, if any components were adjusted, replaced, or manipulated, they might not have sufficient clearance or might slightly shift from their original positions.
As the car operates and the metal components heat up and cool down, they expand and contract.
If there is inadequate clearance or parts are not securely fastened, this movement can cause different metal components to come into contact with each other or neighboring parts, leading to creaking or rubbing noises.
Signs of temperature-related expansion and contraction
- Unusual noises, such as creaking, groaning, or rubbing sounds, that occur during temperature changes or when the car is in motion.
- The noises might be more noticeable when the car is cold and diminish as it warms up, or vice versa, depending on the specific parts involved.
- The noises might intensify or decrease when the car experiences shifts in temperature, such as during startup or after extended periods of operation.
Solution:
A thorough inspection by a professional mechanic is necessary. They can identify the components causing the noises and adjust, reposition, or secure them properly to prevent metal-to-metal contact during temperature changes.