What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Getting your oil changed is a big part of your routine maintenance schedule, but what happens if you don’t change your oil? To show drivers in Lake Charles, LA, and Port Arthur and Nederland, TX, why maintenance is so important, Energy Country Ford looks at what oil does and why it’s important to schedule service to change your oil.

What Does Oil Do?

Your car needs oil like your body needs water. Imagine going for a jog or working out when you’re dehydrated. Not only is physical activity much harder, but you’re more likely to injure yourself. Now think of that in terms of your engine.

Much like your body, your engine is made up of a lots of moving parts. That machinery needs to be lubricated or else it won’t run smoothly. Those parts also generate a lot of heat. When heat is combined with moving parts, it can create friction. If friction builds up between the parts, it can cause problems for your engine.

Oil takes care of this for you. First, it lubricates your engine, so all the parts can operate properly. Then, it cools everything down to prevent heat and friction from building up. However, after a while, oil starts to break down and needs to be replaced. That’s why an oil change is part of your recommended maintenance schedule.

What Happens If You Skip an Oil Change?

After enough time and miles, your oil stops being an effective lubricant. It even changes its color and consistency. Fresh oil flows freely and has a golden brown, amber color. Old oil is more of a thick, black sludge.

That sludge isn’t just old oil that’s broken down. It also includes contaminants like dirt, soot, and rocks that have been kicked up. It may even have metal particles like iron. These can corrode the parts of your engine and clog up the oil filter. Your car may even blow a gasket.

Driving with old oil or without enough oil doesn’t just hurt your vehicle’s performance—it can cause complete engine failure. Plus, with that much damage, it could also void your warranty. So, just how often should you get your oil changed?

When to Get an Oil Change

Your recommended maintenance schedule really depends on what model you drive and what kind of oil it takes. If it uses conventional oil, you’ll probably need to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or every six months.

Most vehicles on the road today use synthetic oil. It’s designed to last longer and operate under more extreme temperatures. With synthetic oil, you may only need an oil change once a year or every 10,000 miles.

Oil Change Warning Signs

If you can’t remember when your last oil change was, don’t worry. Your car has a few ways of reminding you. Some of the signs you should look for include:

• Engine Oil Pressure Light—If you haven’t had your oil changed for a while, you’ll eventually see a dashboard warning light that looks like an old-fashioned oil can.
• Knocking Sound—Since it’s harder for your engine to function without enough oil, you may hear some strange sounds if your vehicle is overdue for an oil change.
• Dark Oil—You can actually check your oil any time. Just pop the hood, pull out the dipstick, and wipe it off on a rag. If it looks dark, schedule an oil change ASAP.

Schedule an Oil Change

Visit Energy Country Ford to have your oil changed or learn more about what happens if you don’t change your oil. Our service center features a team of factory-trained technicians who’ll help drivers in Lake Charles, LA, and Port Arthur and Nederland, TX, with all their maintenance needs.

Schedule service online if you notice any of the signs that your vehicle is due for an oil change.