Why Your Car Needs Oil Changes

What Will Happen to Your Engine if You Don’t Get an Oil Change?

Life can get busy. As much as we may try to stay on top of all the chores and tasks we need to get to, it’s often easier said than done. 

One of the first things to get dropped from people’s schedules is often car maintenance, such as a regular oil change for their vehicle. Though it may be easy to put this aside, it isn’t actually wise to do so, as it can cause damage to your vehicle’s engine.

What can happen to the engine if you never get an oil change? To put it simply, nothing good. Engine oil doesn’t retain its lubricating properties forever, and eventually, it won’t be able to keep the engine parts lubricated well enough. This can lead to excess wear on the engine and poor performance. It may also lose its ability to sufficiently resist heat, leading to your engine heating up more easily and frequently. Over time, neglecting oil changes may even result in the engine failing completely. To see what an engine looks like that hasn’t received any oil changes, check out the video below.

Benefits of Regular Oil Changes

There are many reasons to get an oil change, ranging from optimal engine efficiency to simply keeping the engine from failing, as mentioned above. Of course, the longer you go without an oil change, the more severe the repercussions may be. Regardless, here are some of the benefits of regular oil changes:

• Optimal fuel efficiency
• Keep the engine clean
• Keep the engine from overheating
• Help keep your vehicle more eco-friendly
• Ultimately extend the lifespan of your vehicle’s engine

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change?

Now, when we refer to “regular” oil changes, what exactly does that mean? It’s a good question and one that isn’t necessarily easily answered. The frequency of your vehicle’s necessary oil changes may vary based on how old the vehicle is and what the recommendation of the manufacturer is. Your area’s driving conditions will also impact this frequency.

You’ve probably heard of the tried and true method from years past of getting an oil change every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, depending on which comes first. This may still be a good timeline for your vehicle’s oil changes, though modern cars that use synthetic oil may not need to get them as frequently. For some vehicles, this may mean getting an oil change every 5,000-10,000 miles. Therefore, to get a more precise timeline, you should consult your owner’s manual and follow the guidelines of the service technicians at your local dealership.

Schedule Your Next Vehicle Service With Us

If you get an oil change here at Nissan of Auburn, we’ll be sure to let you know when your next recommended oil change will be based on your vehicle and other conditions. That way, you can be sure you are keeping your engine in top condition.