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What Is Oil Sludge and How Does It Hurt My Car?

Oil lubricates your engine and protects it against frictional damage. It contains anti-foaming agents, anti-oxidants, dispersants, and detergents that protect the engine. However, with continued use, it forms an oil sludge. With time, contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, and coolant, build up and oxidize due to the engine's intense heat.

When these contaminants combine with oxidation in the engine, it forms a thick gel called engine or oil sludge. Preventing engine sludge formation is vital since it can damage your car.

How Oil Sludge Hurts Your Car

Oil protects the engine by cooling and absorbing contaminants. But, with time, it reaches its absorption capacity and deposits them on the engine instead. It hinders adequate engine lubrication and increases friction, causing overheating. The heat causes engine parts to rapidly wear out, lowering your car's efficiency.

It also reduces your engine's lifespan by blocking the oil screen siphon, preventing proper circulation and lubrication. Besides overheating, poor lubrication causes most engine parts to melt. This exposes your cooling system, timing belt, radiator, and gasket to severe damage with costly repairs. Engine sludge also weakens oil flow, causing a decrease in oil pressure and fuel efficiency.

How to Prevent Oil Sludge Formation

Oil is usually considered the lifeblood of your engine. Regular change is the single best practice to prevent oil sludge formation. But there are other ways to avoid a build-up.

  • Always check the engine or the oil change notification when you start your car. The lights may indicate a need for oil replacement.
  • Try to avoid too many short-distance trips. Instead, walk, use a bike, or public means
  • When you notice low oil pressure, before adding more, check for engine sludge build-up
  • Always check the gauge that shows if your engine is heating up. If it indicates overheating, let an expert check for oil sludge
  • Avoid routes with heavy stop-and-go traffic if possible

Your car is designed to warn when there is a problem. Check the dashboard warning lights regularly and for other signs of trouble. But if you are due for an oil change, bring your car to Lexbrodies today.

4.6 STAR AVERAGEVIEW REVIEWS
Google Review: I've gone here a few times over the past couple of years (oil change, brakes, safety check, alignment) and they've always been able to get me in within a day or two instead of the many week long waits of other mechanics in the area. They're very honest and straightforward, I was never pressured to get extra or unnecessary work done. A solid and reliable group of folks!
7/27/2023
Emily J.
5
Yelp Review: The place is a "WELL OILED MACHINE" so efficient and helpful. I can't say enough about this place. Yes, it cost a little more than Costco but worth every penny! I went from a nightmare at Costco tire center to a little slice of heaven at Lex Brody!
5/13/2024
Laura W
5
Google Review: Easy 5 star. I called on a Wednesday afternoon to tell them that my truck had symptoms of overheating. I took my truck in late that afternoon and left it overnight. They ran a cooling system check on Thursday morning and found out that my truck needed a new radiator. Thank you, very much!
4/5/2024
Darryl G.
5
Google Review:My first time at Lex Brodie's. The service was outstanding! Went in for brake service and they did a complete inspection of my 4runner. I was expecting to replace pads and shoes. after inspection they informed me that my brakes were in good condition. There was no charge. Hard to find that kind of honest service. Not because it was free of charge, but because they were professional and honest!
7/19/2023
Daniel F.
5
Staff are always very friendly and range of services is convenient. I also like the online reservation system, and the waiting area is great, too.
Mark S M.
5
Yelp Review: Outstanding customer service! Unfortunately, everything that could possibly go wrong with my vehicle, went wrong. I was more than stressed, until I contacted Lex Brodies Waipahu. I will continue to support such an awesome business. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
7/28/2023
Kristi K.
5
I always receive great service from this location. Today I had Jack and he was awesome. He explained the services and pricing. Extremely helpful. The woman who cashed me out (ugh I wish I got her name) was so kind and courteous, too! 5-stars all around! Mahalo!
Lisa U.
5
Google Review: Excellent service, sincere employees whose main goal is to make clients happy, fix their their car concern and eases their worries. This is how I feel each time I bring my car to their Waipahu location. Less talk, more work, and fair cost! Much aloha and mahalo, Waipahu Crew!!
6/12/2023
Elizabeth P.
5
Yelp Review: I had all 4 tires replaced and front end aligned. Very convenient to make my appointment online and work was started exactly on time. Personnel were very pleasant to talk to and everything was done right. Glad to see that the Lex Brodie's of old still lives on providing great service with reasonable prices.
5/6/2024
Roy K.
5
Yelp Review: My tire went flat and I wondered how Lex Brodies would handle it. Let me say the schedule an online appointment was easy and timely. I arrived on time and was out of there in 30 minutes. That is customer service! Thanks!
3/13/2024
Mike D.
5
Easy to book appointment via web. Coupon and extra saving booked on line are great! Excellent customer service. I really liked how they explained what they worked on and how should take care of it. Good job!😄 👍 Mahalo for your excellent customer service.😄
8/28/2023
Melanie P.
5
Yelp Review: Jack and the girls at the front took really good care of me and my mom. They are professional and probably one of the most honest mechanic shops I have been to. You can tell they really want to make their customers happy and give them the most fair price they can. Jack and the sales girl I talked to broke down all the costs before starting the work so I knew exactly what we were paying for. Great staff, patient, kind, and honest. This place treats you like family and wants you to leave happy.
5/21/2023
Kai C.
5
I am very satisfied with the service at Lex Brodie’s. The staff were all very helpful and the work was completed timely and for the estimated price.
Robert R.
5
No one anticipates to have a flat tire while going about their day, so needing to deal with a flat tire is always a frustrating ordeal…Thankfully, paying a visit to Lex Brodie’s has never added to that frustration and instead provides a pleasant, friendly experience every time. Thank you to the team at Lex Brodie’s Aiea for taking care of me during my most recent visit.
6/19/2023
Troy A.
5
Have been going to Lex Brodie's for tire and alignment work for over 40 years and they have been outstanding. Sure, I've experienced a few "quirks" with them, but that also happens with any other best other shops taking care of them in good order.
Alan Y.
5
Google Review: I cannot recommend Lex Brodie's highly enough. Their commitment to excellence, exceptional customer service, and expertise in their field make them a trusted and reliable choice for anyone in need of tire, brake, or general automotive services. I am grateful to have discovered such a reputable establishment and will undoubtedly be returning for all my future automotive needs.
7/10/2023
Deven L.
5
Yelp Review: These folks are fantastic. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! I truly enjoy my visits to this location and my interactions with the employees! All smiles!
5/21/2023
Eric H.
5
Easy online appointments, quick in person check in and drop off. Car was running great! Thank you for the quick service. Will always come back to Lex Brody's.
6/9/2023
Douglas C.
5
Yelp Review: Great service. Took me on short notice and even shipped the tires I needed from their warehouse. No wonder Lex Brodie's continues to operate successfully.
5/2/2024
Craig S.
5
Great experience. Very easily scheduling online, the service advisor explained exactly what they would do, and they got done quicker than expected!
James P.
5
Yelp Review: Great crew as usual. Professional, knowledgeable and just plain cool to do business with.
11/14/2023
Richard A.
5
Google Review: The best customer service I've experienced in the auto industry! I called Saturday regarding a noise on my Tacoma and they fixed my truck in less than two hours. The previous auto shops didn't have availability and also were closed weekends. Lex Brodie's prices were amazing too!
5/19/2024
Christopher G.
5
Lex Brodie's give you a fair assessment Fast , honest and friendly service, especially on a weekend. Appreciate you getting me back on the road while keeping me in my budget.
7/2/2023
Mario R.
5
Google Review :I really like this place! It's super convenient and I have consistently been able to get great same day service. Jordan in particular is extremely professional, friendly, fast and somehow keeps up with what's going on with my vehicles in between services
6/28/2023
Parks M.
5
Google Review: The staff was friendly enough but extremely efficient. The price quote was accurate and reasonable. Big thing to know is that they service Teslas for a much more reasonable cost, something like 2-3 times cheaper than getting checked at the service center. Recommend for convenience, reasonable pricing and speed of service.
3/18/2024
Martin H.
5
First time at lex Brodie’s it was excellent service and the girls at the front were really helpful.
Ronald & Sally H.
5
I am very happy with great customer service and friendly staff at Waipahu location and highly recommed. They take pride in taking care of there customers. And they honor military discount. Mahalo
Abdul R.
5
Google Review: I am so glad I decided to come here for a second opinion on a repair my car needed. While it still needed the repair, the cost was significantly lower than what I had been quoted elsewhere, it was done much sooner than expected, and I was given a free loaner car. The staff were all very friendly from beginning to end. I’ve already recommended this place to other people.
5/3/2024
Stephanie W.
5
Google Review: I would like to give a shout out to the Lex Brodie Team in Waipahu who were professional and informative every step of the way when purchasing my tire. I hit a pothole on H-1 and it destroyed my tire! Tesla said it would take 3 weeks to get the tire in, Lex Brodie had it in 1 week. A special thank you to JR! You guys ROCK!
4/26/2024
Sandra W.
5
Wonderful, quick service. My low tire pressure light came on while driving to work downtown. I was able to make an appointment to drop off my car at lunch and picked it up after work. No charge for checking my tires and the employees were extremely friendly and efficient even though they were busy.
Judy C.
5
Yelp Review: Lex Brodie's is the most reliable car service center I have ever worked with. Too often you hear of how some repair shops have shady practices but not Lex Brodie's. They will provide you either a picture or video of what the mechanics see. They will also list the urgency of repair and what to look for. I highly recommend Lex Brodie's they are the best! Mahalo to the entire staff. Or as Lex would say, "Thank you very much!".
5/14/2024
Mamo Y.
5
Yelp Review: First off I don't do Yelp reviews, good or bad. My experience here has always been honest and accommodating, as well as prompt! I have been bringing my car here for far more than just tires. The staff is always amazing, and I want to say thank you! to Lex Brodie's staff!
7/19/2023
Robert S.
5
My go to for our company and personal auto tire needs. They provide excellent customer service from beginning to end. The receptionists are gems there as they hold down the calls and processing without losing their cool. They also answer phones in a timely manner. Wait time is excellent compared to dealerships. And they do quality work and hold true to their warranties/guarantees. Appreciate your hard work there at Lex Brodie's!!!!
11/14/2023
Bryce. F.
5
Going to Lex Brodie's Waipahu is always like stopping by a good friend's house. Lei, Blossom and Kekoa always take care of business professionally and personally. They know their business and take care of everyone courteously and with the best customer service anywhere. The maintenance was taken care of completely, with an excellent review and recommendations by Lei. Blossom took care of the follow up appointment and parts ordering completely, patiently, and as everyone there, like old friends. Always great to see Lei, Blossom and Kekoa!
6/21/2023
Phillip M.
5
Love the service ! Friendly staff ,Fast and efficient. On line booking makes it convenient .
Terri M.
5
Yelp Review: Having car trouble sucks but we all know that finding a good mechanic is half the stress of getting the repair done. I've been taking my cars here for years and they've always treated me right and charged me fairly for the work. The team is always so nice and their customer service top notch. Shout out to Kevin for helping me on my last visit. Keep up the good work guys !
8/2/2023
Jay M.
5
I have been a Lex Brodie client for over 20 years. Today, I still get the same great service every single time I’m there!
Carlin K.
5
Thank you for always taking care of my car. consistently respectful, good communication. Thank you for fitting me in and keeping it transparent
Catherine M.
5
Yelp Review: I needed to change all 4 of my tires. I usually go to Costco because its less expensive. BUT because there is always such a long wait at Costco, I decided to go to Lex Brodie. Great decision. Customer service is first rate here and it ended up being less than Costco. It was fast!
6/11/2023
Jay. Y.
5
This was my first visit with Lex Brodie Kaneohe branch and I’m sold as a forever customer. The manger Gerard and his staff treated me like Ohana. I highly recommend Lex Brodie Kaneohe branch if anyone needs tire and/or brake service. They are the best. Mahalo🤙🏽🙏🏽
Ken Y.
5
Yelp Review: Always exceptional service. I never feel cheated and the online coupons are always nice.
7/7/2023
Loraine H.
5
Yelp review: Fast same day installation. Tires were in stock unlike the big box stores where tires had to be shipped in. I either had to wait for the shipment to arrive or wait a week for an installation date (two different stores). Tires were balanced and installed faster than the two hour wait anticipated. So you pay a little more for the tires, you don't have to wait for the shipment to arrive (longer than the promised wait time) or waiting for an open installation date.
3/14/2024
Michael N.
5

RATED A+ SINCE 2007

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Lex Brodies is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call Honolulu, HI (808) 536-9381, Aiea, HI ("Pearlridge") (808) 484-5680, Waipahu, HI (808) 671-4561, Kaneohe, HI (808) 792-4900 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.