What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

One of the most important regular maintenance tasks you need for your gasoline-powered vehicle is an oil change. For a fully synthetic oil change, that’s every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on your make, model, and year. 

Then life gets hectic, and you might put off your oil change for a while. That’s why our service team sometimes hears from Williamstown customers who want to know, what happens if you don’t change your oil? Our service technicians are here to discuss what happens if you don’t get your oil changed with our guide from Cadillac Of Turnersville. We think you’ll find it enlightening.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil at All?

Over time and thousands of miles, typically between 3,000 and 10,000 miles (depending on your car and the oil), the motor oil in your engine breaks down and will become less effective. Friction between the metal parts will increase. The friction causes more heat. Without changing the oil, your engine will get too hot at some point. Serious damage can occur, like excess wear and tear and even warped components. If your pistons warp, your engine is completely done and it won’t go anywhere.

What Does Motor Oil Do?

Motor oil lubricates your car’s engine as you drive along Sicklerville streets. It also serves these important functions:

• The main role of motor oil is to reduce wear and tear on moving parts due to friction. This happens because the motor oil keeps the parts moving easily and freely without metal rubbing against metal.
• Motor oil with dispersants is designed to clean sludge from the engine.
• Detergents in motor oil help clean varnish from the engine, keeping it cleaner and more efficient.
• When changed regularly, motor oil can help neutralize acids that form from fuels, improve piston ring seals, and cool the engine by shunting heat away from the pistons.

Trust us, you don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t get your oil changed. We highly recommend fully synthetic oil for the best results.

How Often Should I Change My Vehicle’s Oil?

With conventional oil, the rule of thumb was every three months and 3,000 miles. Now, most drivers can go 6,00 to 10,000 miles between oil changes thanks to fully synthetic oil. However, you must take into account your driving habits, too. If you drive long distances every day, travel at high speeds, or drive in overly dusty and hot conditions for long periods, you may need oil changes more frequently.

What Problems Happen If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Take our word for it! We hope you never experience what happens if you don’t get your oil changed. You’ll see these expensive problems if you don’t change the oil regularly. 

• Weakened Performance: As motor oil deteriorates, carbon deposits get left behind. Carbon deposits can clog the positive crankcase ventilation and exhaust gas recirculation valves. The result is lackluster engine performance. 
• Loss of Fuel Efficiency: The oil might wear down so thin that it slides past seals and rings around the pistons before burning up in the combustion chamber. You’ll see and smell smoke coming from the exhaust and less fuel efficiency.
• Engine Overheating: The oil loses viscosity, failing to regulate the temperature of the engine. This can lead to overheating. If there is enough overheating, you’ll see total engine failure due to warped pistons.
• And more! 

Oil Change Service and More in Turnersville

Now that you know what happens if you don’t get your oil changed, you might decide it’s time to come in for one near Mullica Hill! Contact us, call (856) 672-5049, or schedule a service appointment with our team! 

You could also save some money with our service specialsto help you save money on an oil change or other regular maintenance. We’re happy to help in any way we can.