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There are numerous problems that can occur under the hood of your car, even in vehicles as reliable as Volkswagen. With that in mind, there are certain problems, regardless of their severity, that should be handled almost as soon as they appear. This is due to the fact that some problems can cause additional problems or even have underlying causes.

One such example is oil sludge buildup. While this problem may not seem too detrimental to your vehicle as a whole, which is partially true, it can cause a slew of other problems that will lead to an even bigger headache than you already have. To that end, take your Volkswagen into the shop immediately upon noticing oil sludge buildup, and only trust a professional to solve this issue.

What is oil sludge buildup?

Everyone is aware of oil’s importance to a vehicle, but let’s quickly go over what exactly that oil is used for to understand how it may become built up over time, as well as the additional problems that may eventually develop as well.

Mainly, oil acts as a lubricant for your car’s engine and keeps that engine clean overall. When the oil is filtered through the engine, it catches any debris that may be building up and transports it to the oil filter. This process helps to keep your Volkswagen running smoother as a whole. Without oil running through the engine, debris may build up or the engine will not be properly lubricated. If either of these things occurs, disastrous consequences can occur under the hood.

With that in mind, oil buildup is the result of the contamination of engine oil, which essentially does the exact opposite of everything oil does. Rather than keep the engine lubricated and clean of debris, oil buildup can cause debris to pile up and the stickiness may reduce the engine’s performance.

Getting rid of this sludge should be your first priority if you suspect your Volkswagen is being affected. Identifying some of the common causes of an oil sludge buildup, as well as the key signs that there is a buildup presence, is important to getting ahead of the problem and stopping it from developing into something worse.

Signs and Causes of Oil Sludge Buildup

The biggest cause of an oil sludge buildup is the oxidation and contamination of existing oil. After all, the sludge cannot form without oil, so the best practice to avoid a situation such as this is to keep your oil clean and healthy via normal oil changes as required by your vehicle’s specific model. With that in mind, here are some of the common signs of an oil sludge buildup:

Check Engine Light

If the check engine light turns on for any reason in your vehicle, it’s important to assess the severity of the cause and respond accordingly by taking your car in to a professional to get the light turned off. With that in mind, if the oil sludge buildup is harming the engine’s performance, the check engine light may switch on.

Visible Sludge

One of the easiest ways to detect an oil sludge buildup is to look under the hood. Open the cap on your oil compartment and shine a light into where the oil is stored. If there is sludge, it will be easily visible with light. Even if you aren’t sure if sludge is the cause, it is good practice to check your oil occasionally.

Oil Change Light

Similar to the check engine light, the oil change light on your Volkswagen may flip on. If you know that it is not time to take your vehicle in for a check-up, or if the light has been on for some time, it’s likely that a buildup of oil sludge could be the cause.

Volkswagen Oil Change

European Service Center For Your Volkswagen Needs

At European Service Center, we understand the importance of keeping your Volkswagen’s performance as reliable as ever. A buildup of oil sludge can be a headache for any driver, but it is our goal to give you the best service possible to take away the problem.

We have experience working with clients around Alpharetta, Chamblee, Cumming, Norcross, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, and Atlanta, GA which means we have the knowledge needed to remove oil sludge from your vehicle. Please give us a call or come visit us today to see why we are the best in the business. We look forward to earning your trust and patronage.