What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Regular oil changes are an essential part of routine vehicle maintenance. While it can be all too easy to overlook this important task, failing to have your oil changed at the recommended intervals increases the risk of a wide range of vehicle problems. Exactly what happens if you don’t change your oil? Because it lubricates the moving parts of your engine, a lack of oil results in more friction and increased temperature. This can cause overheating, excessive wear and tear, and damage to internal engine components. Find out more in this guide from our service department at Porterville Ford, where our technicians are dedicated to helping your vehicle run optimally on the roads of Visalia and beyond.

What Does Motor Oil Do for Your Vehicle?

As mentioned above, oil acts as an engine lubricant. By lubricating the moving parts of the engine, motor oil does the following:

• It reduces wear and tear caused by friction.
• It cleans varnish from the engine.
• It neutralizes damaging acids from fuel.
• It protects piston ring seals.
• It keeps the engine cool by carrying away heat.
• If you use an oil that contains dispersants, it helps remove engine sludge.

What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Oil Changed?

So, what happens if you don’t change your oil? Your vehicle is at risk of experiencing a variety of problems. First, older oil naturally loses viscosity, so it can’t lubricate the moving parts as effectively. With more friction comes more heat, and this can lead to overheating and engine failure.

Your fuel economy is compromised as well. Because old oil is less viscous, it is able to penetrate the tiny gaps around rings and seals and eventually burns up in the combustion chamber. Your engine then requires more fuel to maintain operation, which means more money spent at Tulare and Delano gas pumps.

Also, your engine performance becomes sluggish. When oil breaks down, it leaves carbon deposits that can obstruct the exhaust recirculation valves and positive crankcase ventilation. This weakens overall engine performance.

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

In general, modern vehicles need an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. But this is just a rough estimate, as much depends on your vehicle type and driving habits. Consult your owner’s manual for the oil change intervals your vehicle requires.

Schedule an Oil Change at Porterville Ford

What happens if you don’t change your oil? As you can see, a LOT! When you need an oil change, our service experts can help. Contact us today to make an appointment or schedule your visit online. Be sure to check out our latest service specials to save on your visit. We know that busy lives and schedules can make it hard to stay on top of routine auto maintenance–we’re here to help and to keep your vehicle in peak condition!