Don’t Risk It: What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Have you been wondering what happens if you don’t change your oil? If so, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find out.

Did you know that around half of American car owners don’t know how to change their oil?

Are you wondering what happens if you don’t change your oil for a length of time? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over the consequences of delaying an oil change.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

If you skip your oil change schedule, you can harm your engine. Most vehicles have a recommended time for maintenance.

Missing out on this appointment could kill your engine, resulting in you needing to buy a new car. Different cars have recommended mileage standards between oil changes. If you’ve passed the recommended amount of time, change the oil.

The oil in your truck and car keeps it running well. Oil lubricates the engine and carries heat away from the engine. While the oil circulates, it covers the components in the engine that work together.  So don’t just think about polishing your car with a car towel and wax, make sure you focus on the engine as well.

Overheating Issues

One common issue that happens if you don’t change your oil frequently is overheating. If the engine becomes too hot, it won’t run as well and could cause parts to wear out and warp.

Engine oil helps your engine remain cool. A coolant system supplies most of the cooling needed by a vehicle. Engine oil provides cooling for areas around the engine where the coolant doesn’t go.

When oil grows old from heat exposure, the chemical components change. The oil won’t soak up the heat as it did before, causing increased friction between parts.

If you have the right amount of oil, you can avoid a situation where your engine overheats.

Lack of Lubrication

Without oil, metal parts move against each other. Engine oil creates a thin layer between moving components and prevents full contact, which helps prolong the life of an engine.

The lack of lubrication between parts could cause your engine to shut down or need replacing.

Repairs can cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes, people have to decide between buying a new vehicle and trying to get their old car repaired.

An audible sign to watch for is when an engine runs louder than normal. This noisy sound occurs because of the lack of lubrication from the oil.

Debris

Sludge can form on the filter if you don’t change your oil. This residue can diminish the life of the engine and cause corrosion. Dirty oil can turn abrasive and scour the top of engine parts.

A filter should catch the larger pieces of debris. These particles could block parts from moving smoothly. If you skip an oil change, your filter can become clogged and won’t remove any dirt.

Other Additives

High temperatures in your car don’t only affect oil viscosity. Anti-oxidation additives can break down with exposure to the heat of the engine. Sludge can form in the oil from these broken down additives.

Instead of running well, it turns into a pudding-like consistency. In turn, in cramped areas of the engine, the oil can’t reach all the corners, causing some components to run unprotected.

Releases Dirty Smoke

If you have aged oil in your vehicle, it will burn, releasing toxic smoke into the environment. Try and maintain your oil so you don’t release smoke into the atmosphere and help protect the environment.

Improve Mileage of Gas

You want to maintain your oil often because it helps with fuel efficiency. When your engine’s oiled, it doesn’t need to work as hard to run, meaning that you won’t use as much gas.

When Do I Need an Oil Change?

One way to track if you need an oil change is to keep an eye on your mileage. This is the most common way to know if its time. If you’re driving in extreme environments, you might want to change your oil every 3000 miles.

If you live in optimal driving environments, change your oil every six months or after 5000 miles. Consult with the manual provided by the manufacturer of your vehicle to make sure.

Another way to find out is to check the level of oil in your vehicle. If it’s low, you’ll need to go and get it changed.

To check your oil, make sure you’re parked on an even surface. Turn off your vehicle so it can cool down first. Find the dipstick and pull it out, using a napkin or towel so your hands don’t get dirty.

Wipe the end of the stick and remove all the residue. Put the dipstick back in until it reaches the bottom of the canister holding the oil.

Withdraw it and check the markings to find out how much oil you have left. If it’s below the normal range, make sure you get it changed right away.

Take a look at the appearance of the oil as well. If its black or you see foreign particles mixed with the oil, this is a sign that you need to change it. The standard color of car oil is honey or light brown.

Change your oil at regular intervals. This will help reduce common problems like parts breaking down and spending more on fuel.

You could damage your engine, resulting in a pricey repair. If you need a new vehicle, make sure to view cars here.

Want to Learn More?

We hope you found this article on what happens if you don’t change your oil insightful. Take time to track your mileage and change your oil often.

Don’t forget to bookmark our site and check back often for more car advice.