Engine oil turns black from a combination of combustion byproducts, heat oxidation, and detergent additives suspending carbon ...

Engine oil color reveals its age, contamination level, and operating condition. Fresh oil is amber or light brown. Oil darkened to black but still translucent after a few thousand miles is normal.

For vehicles that use internal combustion engines, oil is a vital component. It's responsible for lubricating the engine's internal moving parts, like the crankshaft and camshaft(s) and preventing the ...