What Happens When You Skip Those Oil Changes

Life can be pretty hectic sometimes. Between long hours at the office, rushing the kids to band or sports practice and just trying to keep up with your favorite TV show, missing that oil change is a forgivable error. But regular oil changes are an essential step in maintaining the performance and condition of a car’s engine. The oil lubricates the vehicle’s metal parts to prevent premature wear, while also breaking up any deposits that have accumulated on the engine. Auto mechanics recommend replacing the oil every 3,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the type of car and oil.

But what happens if one or two oil changes are missed? In short, it’s not good. Let’s take a look at some of the dangers resulting from failure to change your oil:

• Absolutely nothing: You might be surprised by this one, but oftentimes nothing bad will happen if an oil change is skipped. The vehicle might not even be immediately affected. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually what happens. Most cars will experience some negative side effects if recommended oil changes are continuously missed.
• Sludge buildup: Sludge begins to accumulate when the oil solidifies within the engine. This prevents the oil from moving freely throughout the engine, which can result in the crankshafts, camshafts, bearings and other valve train components not being properly lubricated. This could ultimately require a complete engine replacement if the problem persists for too long. The car could unexpectedly break down, leaving you with no choice but to call for help from a towing service in Greeley, CO.
• Insufficient lubrication: Over time, the oil begins to break down due to the high temperatures within the engine. The oil then loses its ability to provide the much-needed lubrication to the metal parts. The moving joints within the engine will begin to start rubbing against each other, resulting in premature wear. On top of that, the particles within the oil will settle and cause the engine to corrode.

Don’t panic if you’ve missed an oil change hear and there. It’s impossible to know what sort of damage the delay has caused. Most drivers will be unable to tell if the sludge has already started forming or if the engine has sustained significant wear. The best course of action is to have a mechanic inspect the engine to determine whether there are signs of any potential problems and develop a plan to keep the damage from escalating further.

The best option is to always replace your oil every 3,000 to 10,000 miles, based on your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Your repair shop should affix to a sticker to the inside of your windshield to serve as a reminder of the date and mileage for your next oil change. If you do find yourself broken down due to neglected oil changes, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Superior Towing for car towing in Greeley, CO. We’ve been serving area drivers for over 30 years and are committed to providing first-rate towing services 24/7, 365 days a year. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

Categorised in: Car Towing, Towing Service

This post was written by Writer