Why Regular Oil Changes are Essential l Desert Car Care (2024)

FAQs

Why Regular Oil Changes are Essential l Desert Car Care? ›

If not changed regularly, oil can become saturated with contaminants, turning into sludge. This sludge can clog engine pathways, reducing the oil's effectiveness to lubricate and cool, and leading to reduced engine efficiency and potentially costly repairs.

The benefits of changing your oil on time are numerous. Regular oil changes improve your engine's performance, extend its longevity, and help your car achieve its peak gas mileage. Clean oil is essential for keeping the engine and all the engine controls properly lubricated and running smoothly.

Getting your oil changed regularly is crucial for maintaining the health of your car. This will not only prevent your engine from burning up, but also ensures good gas mileage, smooth running, and less downtime at the repair shop.

You will face many issues if you don't change your engine oil. These include increased wear, worse MPG, overheating, increased emissions, clogged systems, voided warranty, decreased resale value, and potential engine failures. So, there's nothing positive to be gained from putting your oil change off.

With time, heat degrades engine oil and releases gases. This process additionally promotes the build-up of sludge inside the machine. Because of this, the produced gas from your automobile will have poisonous hydrocarbons that are hazardous to the environment. Changing your car's oil routinely help you pollute less.

It's the oil's job to lubricate the engine and all its parts to ensure a smooth ride. However, old and dirty oil doesn't lubricate as well as clean oil. Instead, parts will rub together when they shouldn't. This can lead to unusual sounds, including knocking, ticking, or grinding.

When the oil is low or old, the engine cannot function at its best, leading to increased friction and a reduced performance that can impact acceleration. Therefore, getting an oil change at regular intervals can help to restore and maintain the engine's power, improving acceleration and increasing efficiency.

And while the old rule of thumb was to change your oil every 3,000 miles or so, modern automotive technology has stretched that figure even further. Due to better engineering and better oil formulations, now you can expect between 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes!

Can I change oil every two years? No. Almost no automaker recommends that oil should be left in the crankcase for more than one year—no matter the mileage.

How long can a car sit without an oil change? ›

Even in a car that's rarely driven, oil doesn't enjoy an infinite lifespan. The rule of thumb is about six months—despite oil's typical shelf life of five years. This duration can vary based on numerous factors, such as the oil type, storage conditions, and environmental factors.

Due to this, cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes. However, keep in mind that these numbers are just general guidelines.

You may be getting the oil level back to where it should be, but you're really just adding oil to dirty oil and ending up with dirty oil overall. And you may experience negative side effects like broken piston rings and cylinder valve head guides, an overheated or even seized engine, and more.

Regular cleaning absolutely shields your vehicle's engine from excess wear-and-tear, friction and sludge build-up. That means, by changing your automobile's oil, you can safeguard its engine and help it run flawlessly and effortlessly.

The rule of thumb for most vehicles, however, is to change your oil after at least 5,000 miles. Still, some cars might only require full synthetic oil changes after 7,500 to 10,000 miles, according to Fix. “For many years, the standard advice was every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first,” McKenzie says.

Since it's the lubricant for your engine, a lack of oil can cause moving parts to grind against each other and, if left unchecked, the engine will seize up and stall your vehicle. This can ruin your engine completely. Taking care of the lifeblood of your vehicle is a very important part of regular maintenance.

Most synthetic oils are rated to last between 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or six months to a year. Manufacturer recommended ratings are typically applied to "normal driving," and don't reflect severe driving conditions that may require more frequent oil changes.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil? Even if you don't drive very often and you're not hitting the recommended mileage interval, it's bestto get your oil changed twice a year.

Due to this, cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes. However, keep in mind that these numbers are just general guidelines.

Old oil transforms into a viscous, gel-like sludge if not changed. Continued use past that point risks gelling or evaporating the oil, leading to shorter engine life and an increased risk of excessive wear and damage to your engine components.