An oil change is one of the most straightforward car maintenance jobs there is. However, many people tend to skip their scheduled oil change, thinking it won’t cause any harm. The truth of the matter is, oil changes are critical to the well-being and longevity of your vehicle. Skipping them or waiting too long between changes can lead to many negative side-effects. If you’re curious about what happens if you don't change your oil, keep reading.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
We’re going over five reasons you need to stay on top of this simple maintenance job. Let’s get started.
1. Poor Vehicle Performance
Think of motor oil as the lifeblood of your vehicle. The thicker and dirtier it is, the more your car will suffer.
Furthermore, the oil filter in your engine works to remove contaminants that accumulate as your drive. If you skip oil changes, your filter becomes clogged. This means some of these contaminants get circulated back into the engine.
Driving your car with old oil and a worn-out oil filter forces your engine to work harder. This added strain can lead to poor performance. You may notice your car struggling upon acceleration, idling roughly, or even overheating.
You may also notice your vehicle doesn’t have as much power as it did before. Getting up to speed on the highway may take longer and the engine will sound louder as you drive.
However, once your vehicle has fresh oil and a new filter, you’ll enjoy a much smoother ride. You also won’t have to worry about doing extensive damage to the engine. This equates to a more reliable vehicle that requires fewer repairs.
2. Diminished Resale Value
The goal of every car owner should be to maintain the value of their vehicle as much as possible. After all, you’re not going to have the same car forever. Eventually, it’ll be time to sell.
Keeping up with regular oil changes is one of the best ways to stop your car from losing value. When you think of how easy and affordable it is to get your oil changed, it doesn’t make sense to ignore the process.
Motor oil affects a wide range of components in your engine. Without it, friction would destroy these essential components and your car would be undrivable.
Each time you allow your car to run with dirty oil, you’re putting a strain on the engine. Old oil also causes your car to run much hotter. This, in turn, causes damage that will diminish the value of your vehicle.
Keeping a record of all your oil changes is proof of the care you put into your car. Providing these records will allow you to increase your sales price.
3. A Dirty Engine
When motor oil gets filtered through your engine, it collects foreign agents such as dust, dirt, and contaminants. All these things can potentially cause harm to the engine.
Over time, these impurities build up in the oil and make it dirty. If you neglect oil changes, you’ll end up with sludge, which is horrible for your car.
As the oil thickens, your engine must work harder to cut through it. Plus, the contaminants that the oil now contains may affect vital components.
Each time you get an oil change, dirty oil gets removed, along with the contaminants. The new oil that’s put in is thin and clean, which means it will properly lubricate your engine. The result is a well-functioning motor and less chance of damage.
If you’re not sure if you’re due for a change, check the oil in your car. If the dipstick is covered with thick, black oil, it’s time for a visit to the mechanic.
4. Bad Gas Mileage
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to spend more than you expected on a tank of gas. However, sometimes the reason you’re paying more isn’t higher gas prices. The way you treat your car is directly related to the gas mileage you get.
We’ve discussed how thick, dirty oil puts added strain on your engine and forces it to work harder. Not only does this hurt the performance of your car, but it also causes it to burn more fuel. Soon, you’ll notice you’re spending more at the pump.
This is why you shouldn’t neglect oil changes because you don’t want to spend the money. You’ll end up spending more on gas anyway, so it’s better to go ahead and pay for regular oil changes. Your car will run better in the long run.
On top of the added expense of gas, burning more fuel hurts the environment. This is something everyone needs to be conscious of today. Cutting down on your carbon footprint requires finding ways to decrease fossil fuel consumption.
5. Avoid Unexpected Breakdowns
Yes, skipping oil changes can result in you getting stranded on the side of the road. When this happens its proof of how important oil is for an engine and what happens if you don't change your oil.
The primary role of motor oil is to lubricate engine components, many of which move while your car is running. If these components aren’t lubricated, too much friction can cause major damage.
When oil becomes old and sludgy, it can’t properly lubricate the engine. Wait too long and this could lead to things like your vehicle overheating or damage to important components. This could easily result in a sudden breakdown.
Not having enough oil in your engine can also lead to a serious problem. In fact, your engine could seize up completely. This is severe damage that could require a full engine rebuild.
Avoid this by having a mechanic perform regular oil changes and check for leaks. This routine service could save you thousands in the long run.
Now You Know What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Oil
It’s strange to think such a small job like an oil change could have such a huge effect on your vehicle. However, skipping this service can have major repercussions.
Now that you know what happens if you don’t change your oil, set a schedule and never miss one again.
If you’re ready to sell your old car for cash right away, we can help. Contact us today to learn more.
