What Happens If You Don't Change Your Oil?

Mechanic performing oil change

Life doesn’t always happen how you want it to, so while unforeseen issues do arise sometimes, there are ways to prolong the longevity of your vehicle. This can be accomplished with proper vehicle maintenance, including oil changes. But what happens if you don’t change your oil?

Over a period of time, motor oil will break down and become less effective at lubricating your engine’s moving parts. This can become a problem because it causes an increase in friction, which can lead to an increase in temperature. An engine that becomes too hot can cause excess wear and tear and even warped components, which lead to bigger car problems. Give your vehicle the proper care it needs by scheduling a service appointment with our team at Fresno Acura today.

What Does Motor Oil Do?

Motor oil is a lubricant for your engine. More precisely, oil has the following important roles in Madera 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 Your 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! 

Turn to Fresno Acura for Oil Change Service and More

So what happens if I don’t change my oil? Now that you know the engine problems improper oil change maintenance can cause, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for an appointment. Want to learn about our service specials or ask our service center team about our tire center? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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WARNING: Operating, servicing and maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-road vehicle can expose you to chemicals including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide, phthalates, and lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. To minimize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the engine except as necessary, service your vehicle in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves or wash your hands frequently when servicing your vehicle. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov/products/passenger-vehicle

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