What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Life can get crazy in Orange, MA and before you know it, you are behind in the maintenance for your car. But what happens if you don’t get your oil changed? Over time, motor oil breaks down and will become less effective at lubricating your engine’s moving parts. This causes an increase in friction, which can lead to an increase in temperature. When your engine gets too hot, serious damage can occur, like excess wear and tear and even warped components. But you can avoid all of these major issues by changing the oil when it’s time. Learn more about the importance of regular oil changes with the service professionals at Sonia’s CDJR below! 

What Does Motor Oil Do?

Motor oil is a lubricant for your engine. More precisely, oil has the following important roles in cars:

• The main role of motor oil is to reduce wear and tear on moving parts due to friction.
• Motor oil with dispersants is designed to clean sludge from the engine.
• Detergents in motor oil help clean varnish from the engine as well.
• When changed regularly, motor oil can help neutralize acids that form from fuels, improve piston ring seals, and cool the engine by moving heat away

Trust us, you don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t get your oil changed.

How Often Should I Change My Vehicle’s Oil?

It used to be said that you should have an oil change every 3,000 miles, but these days, most drivers can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil change services. However, every driver has different habits and every vehicle is different. If you drive long distances every day, for instance, you may need an oil change more frequently.

Problems That Arise from Not Changing the Oil

Take our word for it! You don't want to find out first-hand what happens if you neglect oil changes for too long. Here's a breakdown of the problems that can arise — most of which are time-consuming and expensive to rectify: 

• Weakened Performance: As it deteriorates, oil leaves behind carbon deposits, which can clog the positive crankcase ventilation and exhaust gas recirculation valves. This leads to sluggish engine performance. 
• Loss of Fuel Efficiency: This occurs when the oil wears down so thin that it slides past seals and rings and gets burned up in the combustion chamber. This increases fuel usage and causes smoke to seep out from the exhaust. 
• Engine Overheating: The oil loses viscosity and fails to regulate the temperature of the engine. This can lead to overheating, and eventually, total engine failure. 
• And more! 

Learn More About Oil Changes from Sonia’s CDJR

Now that you know the serious consequences of not changing your car’s oil in time, feel free to learn more about oil changes including how long it takes and the differences between regular and synthetic oil. You can even schedule an oil change with us in Orange, MA!