This is the 5-second test you can do to spot engine death, and it requires no technical skill or knowledge

A simple 5-second test using a dipstick could save drivers from engine death long before warning lights start flashing.

While most motorists trust their dashboards to warn them of problems, experts say those signals often come too late.

The old-fashioned dipstick test, a method anyone can do in their driveway, can reveal contamination or coolant leaks in seconds.

And with engine replacements often topping $5,000 to $10,000, the cost of ignoring it can be staggering.

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This 5-second test could save you a lot of money

The 5-second test requires no tools apart from a dipstick, and almost no time.

After shutting off the car, pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then pull it again and examine the oil right away.

Unlike electronic sensors that measure pressure or flow, the dipstick shows your car’s oil condition directly, long before dashboards react.

But how do you interpret the colors?

If your oil looks a little like honey, you’re probably all good.

This means your oil is healthy, and your engine is lubricating properly.

On the other hand, if you see a thick black sludge, that’s a warning sign, especially if oil turns dark soon after a change.

This can mean excessive blow-by gases are contaminating the oil, accelerating wear.

Perhaps the worst-case scenario is if your oil resembles chocolate milk.

This appearance signals coolant mixing with oil, often caused by a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head.

Continuing to drive can destroy bearings and seize the engine within miles.

Why you can’t rely on warning lights

According to AAA, the average cost of replacing an engine ranges from $4,000 to over $10,000, far exceeding the price of preventive maintenance.

Dashboard lights typically activate only after oil pressure collapses or overheating occurs, meaning expensive damage is already happening.

When you do see dark oil using your dipstick test, experts recommend scheduling a change and monitoring whether it blackens again soon after.

After all, as long as you’re not driving something like a Bugatti Veyron, the oil change should be pretty cheap.

If it looks milky, the advice is pretty universal: stop driving, and call for a tow before a full engine death.

Repairing a gasket isn’t free, but it will be a fraction of what a full engine replacement will cost.

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