Most drivers have seen it before. You’re driving along when suddenly the “check engine oil” light comes on. If you’ve ever felt tempted to ignore the light and keep driving, you’re not alone. However, avoiding regular oil changes can have bigger (and more expensive) consequences than you might think. Read on to learn about the function of oil in an engine and discover what can happen to your vehicle if you don’t listen to its warnings.
What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil?
Image via Flickr by DBduo Photography licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
The oil in your car, truck, or SUV is essential for ensuring all the parts and pieces of your engine can function the way they’re meant to. It provides several powerful functions. Primarily, it keeps engine parts moving the way they should. It also helps keep the engine cool, and it maintains proper emissions levels.
Perhaps the most important of these duties is lubrication. Oil helps coat all the moving metal pieces within the vehicle’s engine. When the pieces touch, there’s a thin film of oil that keeps everything moving frictionlessly and helps the engine stay cool. When the engine oil runs low or gets too dirty, it can’t lubricate those pieces effectively, and they can rub together, creating excess friction and heat.
If you ignore the reminder to change your oil and your vehicle runs out, the result can be catastrophic, and it may cost you your vehicle. Excess heat and friction could cause parts within the engine to break. Usually, these breaks are very noticeable. You might hear a loud knocking, clunking, or grinding sound, followed by a car that won’t drive and an engine that won’t run. If this happens, you’re likely looking at an engine or a car replacement rather than just an oil change.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
How often you change your oil can depend on your vehicle and the oil you use. Newer vehicles that take synthetic oil can often go longer between changes, but the general rule for oil changes is every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Usually, when you get an oil change, the service facility you use puts a reminder sticker on your windshield. This sticker typically has both a date and a mileage number for your next change. Take your car back to your preferred shop by whichever comes sooner.
Newer cars also often have helpful reminders, and you might see a text phrase, a light that looks like an old-fashioned oil can, or a light that tells you to check your engine. While these reminders are helpful tools for remembering to take your car, truck, or SUV in, checking your oil often between oil changes is usually a good practice, too. Leaks and other adverse events can cause your car to burn through oil faster than usual. Sometimes this can happen without a driver’s knowledge, and frequent checks can offer peace of mind.
How to check your engine oil
To check your oil, make sure your vehicle is on a flat service, and the engine is cool. If you check your oil after the engine has been running for a long time or if it’s on a hill, you might not get an accurate reading. Also, engines that have been running for a long time are often hot, and you could burn yourself. Keep the vehicle off and open the hood. Have a paper towel, napkin, or rag ready, and remove the dipstick from your oil reserve.
Wipe all the oil from the dipstick and then reinsert it into the oil container fully. Remove the dipstick carefully and hold it under a light so you can read the level. Most dipsticks have two dots or lines a few inches apart near the end of the stick.
If the oil is between those two lines, your level is good. As it nears the bottom line, you might want to consider getting an oil change. Also, look at the color of the oil. Most good, clean oil is a light brown, like the color of honey. If your oil is dark brown or looks dirty, take your vehicle in right away.
Benefits Of Changing Your Oil Frequently
Keeping your car, truck, or SUV in good condition can ensure a long and healthy life for your vehicle. There are many benefits to getting frequent oil changes. For one, you can expect improved gas mileage. When the parts of your engine work well and move seamlessly, your engine’s overall performance is better. This can deliver improved gas mileage and better vehicle function. Vehicles that get regular maintenance often run longer and more efficiently than those that don’t.
Another benefit to getting frequent oil changes is that if you plan to sell your car, regular maintenance can add to its value. Keep records of your oil changes and service. Having proof that the vehicle is well maintained can offer buyers confidence and inform them that the vehicle they’re buying is relatively healthy. Like getting a check-up at the doctor, being proactive about your vehicle’s health can prevent dangerous failures that reduce the value of your car.
Finally, frequent oil changes can offer peace of mind. Questioning how long a light has been on or if you’re pushing your vehicle too far can create undue stress and anxiety. If you miscalculate how long your car, truck, or SUV can go between changes, you could lose your engine. Replacing an engine is extremely expensive, and often it means the loss of the entire car.
At Panama City Toyota, we make it easy to get reliable and routine maintenance for your vehicle at our service center. Our dedicated service department comprises a team of well-trained and certified technicians ready to help your car perform its best. They can complete routine maintenance, offer advice and suggest improvements to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Local motorists can rest easy with a visit to see us, so be sure to contact us or come visit soon. You can even schedule a service appointment online. We offer oil change services to provide peace of mind and a healthy, happy vehicle.
