Have you ever gotten busy with life and forgotten to change your oil?
If you have, you’re not alone.
Depending on driving conditions, make, and model, oil changes should be between 3,000 and 10,000 miles. But what happens when you don’t get an oil change at all or keep putting it off?
What Happens When You Don’t Get An Oil Change
Oil changes are crucial for maintaining a healthy engine. Oil lubricates your pistons among other things and prevents wear within. It also breaks down deposits in your engine to keep it running smooth. But after a while oil fails to do either of these things effectively. This can tank the performance of your engine and vehicle, and lead to premature engine failure and a hefty bill to boot.
There are several negative things that can happen to your engine if you don’t change your oil.
Corrosion. Oil collects water, dust, and other particle impurities in the engine. However, oil can only absorb so many particles before it can’t take any more. When this happens, the particles that are in the oil begin to settle and corrode the engine from the inside.
Premature wear. Oil that is the engine over a long period of time can go through thermal breakdown from the high temperatures it’s exposed to. When this happens, the oil is unable to lubricate the parts insight of the engine, causing premature wear and metal-on-metal buffering.
Sludge. Another risk of skipping an oil change is the buildup of sludge. Old oil has the potential to gel or become solid. When this happens, oil cannot flow to the necessary parts of the engine, leading to a lack of lubrication. Sludge and the following lack of lubrication can lead to premature wear, which has the potential to cause serious damage that will need repair or replacement.
I’ve Already Missed An Oil Change. Now What?
What happens when you don’t get an oil change can vary. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach that says you definitely will or definitely won’t sustain X, Y, or Z type of damage. However, don’t use that knowledge as a safety blanket. The best way to prevent damage is to stay on top of maintenance schedules. According to Edmund’s, your owns manual is the best guide for when to get your oil changed.
If you’re already late for an oil change bring your care into Courtesy Auto . For more information on what happens when you don’t get an oil change