What Happens If You Don't Change Your Oil?

When something is readily available and affordable — like motor oil — you may take it for granted. But don’t! Motor oil is your engine’s lifeblood, and the right oil can protect your engine and help extend its life.

The Importance of Getting Your Oil Changed 

Motor oil works hard! It circulates through the engine, lubricating the moving parts to reduce friction and help prevent overheating. It also picks up deposits and contaminants, so your motor runs clean. But even the highest-quality motor oil won’t last forever, and when the oil’s additives become depleted, it’s time for a change.

So, what happens if you don’t get your oil changed?

• Accelerated engine wear: Engine oil helps lubricate the moving parts inside the engine, reducing friction and wear. Over time, the oil breaks down and loses its ability to lubricate effectively. This can cause improper lubrication, leading to friction, heat, and wear on engine components that could cause potential engine damage and reduced performance.
• Overheating: Clean oil helps to dissipate the heat generated by the engine. A good quality motor oil will help to regulate engine temperature, especially in a severe operating environment, and prevent engine overheating.
• Sludge accumulation: With everyday use, motor oil will accumulate impurities, such as fuel, water, debris and by-products of combustion. They form acids, varnish and sludge over time. Sludge can clog important passages and decrease oil flow, hindering efficient lubrication and engine cooling. The results? More wear and tear and potential engine failure.
• Decreased fuel efficiency: Poor lubrication and increased friction due to old oil can cause the engine to work harder, leading to increased fuel consumption.  
• Voided warranty: Bought a fresh set of wheels? One of the best things about getting a new car is that it has a warranty. However, the dealer could render your warranty null and void if you don't service your vehicle according to factory specifications.
• Engine failure: Extending your oil drain interval can lead to engine damage and possibly failure. An engine is designed to consume or lose a little bit of oil over time. Over a period of time, the motor oil in your engine can thicken and lose volume. This can lead to engine damage due to improper lubrication or oil starvation. 

To avoid these potential troubles, stay on top of your oil change schedule following your vehicle manufacturer settings.

How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

Oil change intervals are determined by your vehicle manufacturer based on engine size, year, make, and model. It’s also based on your driving habits and the severity of conditions that the vehicle is being used.  Check your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendation for when to change your oil. If an “oil change” indicator light or message comes on, you should take your vehicle to the nearest automotive professional for an oil and filter change.  However, in between oil changes, you should check your oil level to make sure that the engine has adequate oil for optimal engine performance and protection; add oil as needed when the dipstick indicates low oil level.

What Happens If My Car is Low on Oil? 

We’ve looked at what happens if you don’t change your oil and how long you go without an oil change. Now let’s tackle this important question: What happens if your car runs out of oil?

It’s disastrous if your car runs out of oil and can lead to extensive engine damage and costly repairs. Without oil, the engine is starved of motor oil and will not have enough lubrication to protect it from wear, heat, and contamination. It’s a best practice to frequently check your oil level so this won’t happen. Why not make it a habit to check your oil every time you fill up your gas tank?  

But even if you take precautions, it’s possible to find your vehicle is losing oil. Then what?

• The best way to recognize that your vehicle is losing oil is to regularly check your oil level, possibly every time you buy gas.  
• If the level is low, top off with a same viscosity motor oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.  
• If the oil consumption is excessive, then bring your vehicle to the nearest repair facility to diagnose the cause and have that repaired. 

Schedule an Oil Change at Jiffy Lube 

To help protect your engine, get routine oil changes based on your vehicle manufacturer recommendations. When you visit Jiffy Lube, a trained technician will inspect your vehicle’s essential systems and components. The oil will be replaced with the correct type, weight, and volume recommended by the manufacturer, and our technicians are proud to pour quality Pennzoil^® motor oil (where available). The oil filter will be replaced, too, because it doesn’t make sense to have fresh oil flowing through a dirty filter, does it?

 

NOTE: Not all services are offered at all Jiffy Lube service centers. Please call ahead or check jiffylube.com to ensure the service is available at the Jiffy Lube location near you.

For technical application and questions regarding the correct oil type for your vehicle, you can call the Shell Technical Information center at 1-800-Best Oil (237-8645).

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Please note: Not all services are offered at all Jiffy Lube service centers. Please call ahead or check jiffylube.com to ensure the service is available.