What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Although life can get hectic around the Dover area, it’s never a good idea to neglect your regularly scheduled oil change intervals. We often get asked by customers what happens if you don’t change your oil. Over time, engine oil gets dirty and starts to break down, making it less effective at lubricating your engine’s moving parts. This leads to increased friction and a build-up of sludge, which can increase operating temperature and premature wear and tear, resulting in engine failure. Learn more about what happens if you don’t get your oil changed in this guide from the Parkway Honda service department experts.

What Does Engine Oil Do?

Engine oil lubricates your engine’s moving parts to reduce friction and heat and increase performance. Check out the important roles of engine oil for your Uhrichsville car:

• Engine oil reduces friction, heat, and wear and tear on moving parts.
• Engine oil with dispersants is designed to clean sludge from the engine.
• Detergents in engine oil help clean varnish from the engine.
• Regular oil changes help neutralize acids that form from fuels, improve piston ring seals, and cool the engine by dispersing heat.

You don’t want to find out the hard way what happens if you don’t get your oil changed.

How Often Should I Change My Vehicle’s Oil?

In the past, oil change intervals were recommended every 3,000 miles, but with modern engine design, manufacturing methods, and new engine oil formulas, newer cars can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual or our service technicians to see how often you should change your oil based on your driving conditions and driving habits. If you drive in dusty or rough environments, such as stop-and-go traffic, you may need to have more frequent oil changes.

Problems That Arise from Not Changing Your Oil

You don’t want to find out first-hand what happens if you don’t change your oil regularly. Here’s an overview of the problems that can arise if you neglect to change your oil. Many of these issues are time-consuming and expensive to rectify: 

• Loss of Performance: As oil deteriorates, it leaves behind carbon deposits, which can clog the positive crankcase ventilation and exhaust gas recirculation valves, which leads to sluggish engine performance. 
• Loss of Fuel Efficiency: When engine oil wears down so thin it slides past seals and rings into the combustion chamber. This increases fuel usage and causes smoke to seep out from the exhaust. 
• Engine Overheating: When engine oil loses viscosity, it fails to regulate engine temperature, which can lead to overheating, and eventually, total engine failure. 
• And more!

Turn to Parkway Honda for Oil Change Service and More

Now that you’re aware of what happens if you don’t get your oil changed and the importance of caring for your vehicle, is it time for your next routine oil change? Changing your oil at home in Coshocton can be a chore. If you would rather leave it to a professional, simply schedule an appointment at our Dover service center! Check out our service specials and then contact our service team or call us at 330-364-8661 today! We’ll be happy to help!