What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Oil Changed?

We’ve all heard that you should regularly change the oil in your vehicle, but sometimes life is busy in Raleigh. That’s why at some point you might wonder, “What happens if you don’t change your oil?”

Well, if you’ve been avoiding changing your oil, you should schedule a service appointment as soon as possible, because not changing your oil can be terrible for your car. Old oil eventually turns into dirty sludge, or it may be that you’re running out of oil. Either way, your engine will be in a dire state. We here at the Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint service center have written this guide to teach you about the importance of regular oil maintenance, as well as about what happens if you don’t get your oil changed. Keep reading for more.

Why Do We Use Motor Oil?

The engine of your vehicle is made up of many moving parts. When those parts rub against each other, they produce friction, which produces heat. Motor oil gets between those rubbing parts, lubricating them, and allowing them to move smoothly. That reduces the amount of heat produced.

What happens if you don’t get your oil changed is that your oil gets old or your oil levels get low. As you drive, small bits of dirt or dust can collect in your oil, so the older your oil is, the thicker it gets. The oil goes from lubricating the engine, to gumming it up. Low levels of oil also mean a lack of lubrication, which results in friction heating up the engine, often to the point of overheating significantly. Both can be huge problems capable of going unnoticed until the day your car breaks down while driving around Cary.

When do I Need to Change My Oil?

Now you know why it’s important to change your oil, but how often do you need to do it? It used to be that technicians said you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or so, but technology has advanced since then.

Now, vehicles can often go 7,500 to 10,000 miles before you have to change their oil. Check your car’s owner’s manual, as it should have specifics for your vehicle. See what the manufacturer recommends.

Can I Change My Car’s Oil?

Definitely! Make sure to check your owner’s manual for guidance before you begin, but changing your oil yourself is easy enough. Your manual will tell you what type of oil your vehicle needs for the best performance. Order that oil and an oil filter from our parts department, then follow these steps:

• Find your vehicle’s oil filter and remove its drain plug.
• Drain your old oil completely.
• Replace the oil filter and put the drain plug back on.
• Slowly fill the oil reservoir with fresh oil. Do so until you reach the right level.
• You’re all set! Just be sure not to overfill the reservoir, as too much oil can also pose a problem.

Come to Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint and Have us Change Your Oil!

You don’t want to learn about what happens if you don’t change your oil from first hand experience! Instead, if you’re near the Chapel Hill area, come by Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint and we’ll take care of your oil change on the spot. We’re proud to employ expert technicians, and we’ll help you out! To get the best deal, don’t forget to check out our rotating service specials! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you still have any questions!