Engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It prevents moving parts from grinding against each other. Without it, metal meets metal. The result is instant, catastrophic heat. The pistons are welded to the cylinders. The engine stops. You’re not going anywhere. It’s that simple. And if you want to make sure a competitor’s car doesn’t start, draining the oil is the most effective roadblock.
But what if you skip an oil change? Not just once, but regularly? You assume the tank is full, so job done. You are wrong.
Neglected oil will break down, even if there is plenty of liquid. Two things happen. First, dirt accumulates. The filter collects dirt for some time. Then it gets clogged. The pressure relief valve opens to maintain oil flow. Dirty, abrasive sludge bypasses the filter. It acts like sandpaper inside the engine. Wear and tear accelerates.
Second, additives wear out. Detergents. Dispersants. Rust inhibitors. Friction reducers. These chemicals keep the oil clean and lubricated. As they age, the oil loses its protection. It starts to thicken. It is ineffective.
Eventually the lubrication fails. The engine is wearing out. It fails.
Does this mean that a missed interval will destroy your car? No. Using old oil 500 miles above the recommended limit will not break the engine. It takes thousands of miles of abuse to lead to catastrophic failure. But the clock is ticking. Every mile adds wear.
The cost of ignoring maintenance
Using old, contaminated oil has immediate consequences. Abrasive particles increase friction. Lubricant is reduced. Operating temperatures rise. Efficiency decreases.
In the long run, the life of your engine will be significantly reduced. Moving parts deteriorate faster. Failure to make each change increases the likelihood of complete engine failure.
Related topics
- How master cylinders and combination valves work
- How car engines work
- How oil refining works
- What is the difference between gasoline, kerosene, diesel, etc.?
- What does the weight of a motor oil can mean?
- Why doesn’t gasoline burn cleanly?
- How much gasoline does the United States use per year?
- Why is it always necessary to state when buying gas appliances whether you use LPG or natural gas?
More great links
- Do the oil change yourself
- Car oil change association
- How long can you go without an oil change?
