Failure to Give Your Car an Oil Change Can Have Serious Consequences

Posted: Sep 12, 2012
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

A regular oil change is arguably the most important vehicle maintenance task, and it can be done at a reasonable price by a qualified auto mechanic. Read your owner’s manual and follow the instructions about the frequency of an oil change. Failure to do this as recommended can have serious consequences, such as:

REDUCED ENGINE LIFE

In due course, neglected engine oil will affect the lifespan of your vehicle’s engine. It can cost thousands of dollars to buy a new engine, and even reconditioned ones are expensive. Not having a regular oil change could mean having to buy a new car more frequently, and that’s no joke.

REDUCED PERFORMANCE

Over time, engine oil breaks down which means that components such as pistons and gaskets won’t function properly because of insufficient lubrication. Also, your vehicle may start to run “roughly,” and you’ll notice a reduction in gas mileage.

ENGINE BREAKDOWN

If your vehicle doesn’t have a regular oil change, the risk of it breaking down is increased. Imagine if this happened on a lonely country road or in the middle of a congested interstate. Due to lack of lubrication, the metal parts rub together and eventually cease to function. Your engine could seize up suddenly, and you won’t be able to drive anywhere.

CONTAMINATION

The longer you leave oil in an engine, the more it becomes contaminated with dirt, metal shavings and other particles of debris. The longer you drive with contaminated oil, the more damage you’re causing the engine.