Skipping Oil Changes: The Consequences and Long-Term Effects on Your Car
Skipping an Oil Change Isn’t That Important, Right? Wrong.
With the busy life you live, we understand that it can sometimes be difficult to take time out of your schedule to stop by your local mechanic and get an oil change. Many drivers will repeatedly put off an oil change, and before they know it, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of miles go by before they finally schedule an appointment. However, these habits can have a profound effect on your engine and jeopardize its reliability, harming your vehicle.
At Ramona Tire & Service Center, getting your oil changed has never been so convenient. From our fast and friendly service to our expert auto mechanics, it’s no wonder drivers trust Ramona Tire for a quality oil change in Riverside. Let’s dive in and explore the consequences of skipping your oil changes and then learn how you can get the most life out of your engine. When your vehicle is due for service, schedule an appointment at none other than Ramona Tire & Service Center in Riverside, CA.
The Role of Your Motor Oil
Your motor oil is responsible for lubricating the many moving parts inside your engine. As the oil is pumped through your engine, it coats vital internal components, such as your crankshaft and your piston rings, while it works to minimize friction as these parts operate. However, your engine oil does much more than simply lubricate moving parts.
Your oil also provides cooling properties and can remove contaminants, such as sludge and carbon buildup, and trap these contaminants in your oil filter.
While your engine oil is great at what it does, over time, it gets dirtier and begins to lose its protective properties. Operating your engine with oil that cannot protect it from friction and excess heat can lead to extensive engine damage that could cost thousands to repair.
Schedule an Oil Change Service
How Often You’ll Need an Oil Change
Because motor oil is so important, it’s vital to understand how often your vehicle needs an oil change. We recommend checking your owner’s manual for an in-depth understanding of your vehicle’s particular maintenance needs. There, you can find a detailed account of your engine’s oil change needs as well as the type of oil that it uses.
There are three types of oil:
1. Conventional Oil
This type of oil offers the most basic protection and needs to be changed roughly every 3,000-5,000 miles. The interesting thing about conventional oil is that it is not compatible with every type of engine. This type of oil will oxidize and lose its protective abilities around 275 F. Some high-performance vehicles, such as those with turbocharged engines, need more protection, and for this reason, conventional oil is not ideal.
2. Synthetic Blend
This oil is often formulated by using a conventional oil base along with synthetic additives for added protection. Often formulated for higher-mileage vehicles, due to its enhanced protection, synthetic blend oil features a change interval of 5,000-7,500 miles.
3. Full Synthetic Oil
This chemically modified oil is formulated by using chemically modified compounds to provide lasting protection. Able to withstand temperatures of 500 F, this type of oil offers superior protection and offers the longest change intervals. It is recommended to change synthetic oil roughly every 7,500-10,000 miles.
What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Motor Oil
Not changing your oil can impact your engine’s lifespan. Here are two of the major risks of neglecting to get an oil change service:
Seized Engine
Continuing to operate your vehicle without a proper oil change will eventually cause your oil to turn into sludge. This sludge is not only harmful to your engine, but it also cannot provide proper lubrication for your many engine parts. This can result in heat so immense that it causes your engine to seize and lock in place. Seized engines are not repairable and must always be replaced. The cost of a new engine would result in thousands of dollars in repair costs. This is extremely frustrating for some drivers when a simple oil change could have prevented this catastrophic mechanical failure.
Blown Head Gasket
If your oil has oxidized, it’s unable to protect your engine from excess heat, which could cause your head gasket to fail. Replacing this thin gasket is an extremely laborious task and requires the disassembly of your engine to complete. This expensive repair could have been prevented with routine oil change services.
How To Know When It’s Time for an Oil Change Service
There are a few signs that you may notice when your vehicle is due for an oil change:
- Reduced fuel economy
- Low oil levels
- Engine vibrations
- Rough idle
- Oil light reminder
- Dirty oil
Trust Ramona Tire for Trusted Service
At Ramona Tire, receiving a trustworthy oil change is as easy as making an appointment. We feature a team of ASE-certified mechanics who are qualified to perform service on all makes and models of vehicles. We use quality Valvoline® oil and ensure that your vehicle always operates with the best protection.
We even offer fantastic oil change service coupons that allow you to save money while enjoying trusted service from certified experts. Whether you’re looking for a full synthetic oil change or perhaps a high-mileage oil change, you’ve come to the right place. Schedule an appointment at Ramona Tire today and ensure that you always have the best protection under the hood.
