The Risks Of Not Changing Your Car's Oil

Think you can go years without changing your car's oil? You might be risking serious engine damage. Contrary to popular belief, oil doesn't last forever - it needs to be changed regularly to keep your car running smoothly. 

The function of oil in an engine is to protect it from corrosion and cleanse the burning fuel by removing impurities that would otherwise harm efficiency and cooling system components. Lubrication reduction due to humidity/fuel mixing with other pollutants found within automotive fluids can cause reduced capacity for adequate sealant slides, among many other issues.

Accordingly, changing the oil in your engine at the manufacturer's suggested intervals guarantees that you have fresh oil in the engine before it wears down enough to cause damage. But what if you don't follow the suggested oil change intervals or if you don't replace your engine oil at all? 
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Here are the risks of not changing your car's oil:

Component Deterioration
An engine comprises numerous moving parts, such as pistons and valves. Generally, the lubricating properties of your engine oil help reduce friction. However, its ability will decline as they degrade over lengthier intervals, and there's less film on all those moving surfaces, which keeps them working properly before. This leads to significant wear rates and a reduction in the engine's total life.

Overheated Engine and Increased Fuel Usage
Your coolant system alone will not keep the engine cool. Engine oil also plays an important role since it can reach regions where coolant cannot. And because of exposure to high temperatures, engine oil degrades and thickens with age, leading to thermal breakdown. Engine oil that has surpassed the suggested oil change interval would not maintain a sufficient viscosity.

Additionally, as the oil becomes thick, it becomes sludge, and the engine will start to work harder. And this will lead to an increase in fuel usage as you need more fuel to have the same amount of engine power. 

Buildup of Dirt
The engine oil also cleans the inside of your car's engine, other than lubricating and cooling. It helps remove the small particles and dirt that could build up and lead to the clogging of oil channels. These clogs can greatly decrease the engine's lifespan. 

When oil is not changed for a long time after the suggested interval, it begins to gel or harden in an engine and gradually turns into sludge. As a result, the oil will not reach the engine parts, leading to engine damage because of the sudden oil drop. This could cause significant damage to the engine, requiring it to be replaced.

5 Indicators Your Car's Oil Needs to Be Changed
The oil degrades over time and will have problems executing its functions. When this happens, your car will likely show at least one indicator that you need to change your car oil. 

Here are some indicators that your car's oil needs to be changed:

1. If the oil change light is on, it means that you need to change your oil.
2. Engine noise and knocking will start to occur, signaling that your engine is breaking itself because of a lack of lubrication.
3. Dark and dirty oil. 
4. You could smell the oil inside the car, which is a signal that your vehicle might be overheating
5. Most cars change their oil every 3000 miles to 6,000 miles or three to six months. 

Conclusion
Changing your car's oil is important to keep it running smoothly. Not changing your oil can lead to decreased gas mileage, increased wear and tear on your engine, and even engine failure. 

By taking note of the risks you might get for not having your car's oil changed, you can ensure that your car stays in good condition and runs efficiently. So, schedule an oil change every 5,000 miles to keep your car in good shape.

At Kapasu Insurance Services, Inc., we do our best in making sure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (760) 995-3853 or Click Here to request a free quote.