A visual guide depicting the typical hues of lubricant at various stages of its service life, such a guide often displays a range of colors from amber or golden for fresh oil to dark brown or black for heavily degraded oil. Examples frequently include shades associated with specific conditions like contamination with coolant or fuel.
This visual reference offers a quick and accessible method for assessing lubricant condition. Regular observation using such a guide can help identify potential problems before they escalate, contributing to proactive maintenance, extended engine life, and improved vehicle reliability. While laboratory analysis provides more precise data, a simple visual check remains a valuable tool, particularly for quick assessments between scheduled maintenance.