What Happens if You Don’t Change the Oil in Your Car?

June 1st, 2015 by

Most people don’t enjoy stopping by their local service department for an oil change. They know their vehicle needs this service, but often times neglect to stick with the manufacturer recommended schedule. As a result, they are taking a big risk with the overall health of their vehicle.

There is no denying the fact that clean oil lubricates the engine more efficiently and effectively than dirty oil. Without oil, the surfaces in the engine can become damaged. Subsequently, the engine seizes and the owner is faced with a large bill.

Here are two things that will definitely happen if you decline to change your oil as scheduled:

  • Dirt and debris will continue to accumulate. While the filter will do its job for the time being, this only lasts so long. At some point, the filter will become clogged to the point that it is unable to do its job.
  • Additives begin to wear out. You may not realize it, but there are many additives in your engine’s oil, such as friction reducers. Over time, these wear out. And when this happens, the oil does not lubricate as intended.
  • Your engine will run louder. Engine oil acts as a lubricant, so if you take it out of the equation there’s going to be a lot of metal-on-metal grinding that could create ear-bleeding noise. Eventually, this issue will cause serious damage to your engine.

This information is not meant to scare you. Instead, it is meant to inform you as to the importance of regular oil changes. If you are a month late getting your oil changed it is no big deal. It is a big deal, however, if one months turns into two, and so on.

Get on a Schedule

Read your owner’s manual to learn how often your engine oil should be changed. Once you know the schedule, you will be more inclined to stick with it.

Remember, it doesn’t cost a lot of money to change the oil in your car. Furthermore, most service departments can complete this task within a matter of 30 to 60 minutes. It may still be an inconvenience, but it is not something that will take all day.

If you are due for an oil change in Cincinnati, don’t delay in contacting your service department to setup an appointment. You will feel much better about yourself, as well as the condition of your vehicle, once you have fresh oil running through the engine.