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It’s not only the quantity of the oil that affects the engine. The quality of oil also plays a vital role in engine performance. A good quality engine oil translates to optimal performance and fuel efficiency. The lower the quality of oil, the sluggish the performance of the engine. A low-quality oil may also result in reduced fuel efficiency.

So, how to check whether the engine oil is good or bad? It is a tricky task as there is no specific way to determine the quality of the oil by just looking at it. For precise results, you may have to send the sample of oil to a laboratory for tests. However, here are a few tips to identify the quality of the oil by yourself.

• Observe the colour of the engine oil present in the dipstick. If it has turned black, the oil needs to be changed.
  
• If the engine oil is white/milky in colour, there is excessive moisture in the oil. In that case, change the oil immediately.
  
• Smear the oil between your fingers and check if there are any particulates. Suppose you find impurities; it's time to change the oil.
  
• Check the viscosity (thickness) of the oil by smearing the oil between your fingers. If it's too thick, your car needs an oil change.