What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

When you invest in a luxury vehicle like a new Cadillac from Five Star Cadillac, you want to keep it in its best possible condition for as long as possible. A new Cadillac can give you years of happy driving in Macon and Byron as long as you stick to your car’s recommended maintenance schedule. But sometimes life intervenes and you might forget to make that maintenance appointment. What happens if you don’t change your oil? You run the risk of causing expensive or even catastrophic damage to your vehicle’s engine. Learn everything you need to know about oil and what happens if you don’t get your oil changed with Five Star Cadillac. 

What Does Motor Oil Do?

Motor oil is a lubricant for your engine. More precisely, oil has the following important roles in Robins Air Force Base cars:

• The main role of motor oil is to reduce wear and tear on moving parts due to friction.
• Motor oil with dispersants is designed to clean sludge from the engine.
• Detergents in motor oil help clean varnish from the engine as well.
• When changed regularly, motor oil can help neutralize acids that form from fuels, improve piston ring seals, and cool the engine by moving heat away

Trust us, you don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t get your oil changed.

How Often Should I Change My Vehicle’s Oil?

It used to be said that you should have an oil change every 3,000 miles, but these days, most drivers can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil change services. However, every driver has different habits and every vehicle is different. If you drive long distances every day, for instance, you may need an oil change more frequently.

Problems That Arise from Not Changing Your Oil

Take our word for it! You don’t want to find out first-hand what happens if you neglect oil changes for too long. Here’s a breakdown of the problems that can arise — most of which are time-consuming and expensive to rectify: 

• Weakened Performance: As it deteriorates, oil leaves behind carbon deposits, which can clog the positive crankcase ventilation and exhaust gas recirculation valves. This leads to sluggish engine performance. 
• Loss of Fuel Efficiency: This occurs when the oil wears down so thin that it slides past seals and rings and gets burned up in the combustion chamber. This increases fuel usage and causes smoke to seep out from the exhaust. 
• Engine Overheating: The oil loses viscosity and fails to regulate the temperature of the engine. This can lead to overheating, and eventually, total engine failure. 
• And more! 

Turn to Five Star Cadillac for Oil Change Service and More

Knowing what happens if you don’t change your oil can be a great motivator to make those recommended regular maintenance appointments at the Five Star Cadillac service center in Warner Robins. In addition to providing automotive service by certified technicians, our team can also help you learn more about the workings of your vehicle. Check our service tips for more information about car fluids and more!