What happens if you wait too long to change your oil? How bad can it be? We’ve all been there. Every car manufacturer recommends changing your oil after a certain distance or time period. Oil has various functions, such as protecting, cleaning, and cooling your engine. But what happens if you don’t follow the recommended oil change interval or don’t change your engine oil at all? Here’s what can happen:

Wear of engine components

An engine is made up of many moving parts, such as pistons and valves. The lubricating properties of your engine oil help protect these parts by reducing friction. After the recommended oil change interval, engine oil will break down and will not be able to fully protect the components from friction, leading to wear and damage.

Overheated engine

Your cooling system alone isn’t enough to cool your engine. Engine oil also plays an important role in this, as it can reach places that the engine coolant can’t. Engine oil breaks down as it ages and becomes a thick mass due to exposure to high temperatures. This thermal breakdown of the oil prevents it from absorbing heat, which can lead to engine overheating, blown gaskets, wear and deformation of parts.

Dirt accumulation

In addition to lubricating and cooling, engine oil also cleans the inside of the engine. It removes small particles and debris. Over time, this dirt can build up, which in turn can clog the oil passages, significantly shortening the life of the engine. The buildup of dirt can also put a strain on the engine, leading to a loss of power. When oil is not changed for a long time, it begins to gel or solidify in the engine, eventually turning into sludge. When this happens, the oil cannot reach all parts of the engine, resulting in a lack of oil in the bearings, valves, and other engine components, which can cause serious damage to the engine to the point that it needs to be replaced.

Increased fuel consumption

Aged engine oil thickens and turns into sludge, which reduces engine efficiency. This means you need more fuel to produce the same amount of power. This increase in fuel consumption is about a 1% to 2% difference. In addition, your car may emit toxic emissions into the environment as the old engine oil burns.

Changing the oil, which also includes changing the oil filter, is much cheaper than repairing a damaged engine. High-quality engine oil, changed at the recommended intervals, will allow your car to reach its maximum potential. Aside from fuel, engine oil is the most important fluid your car needs.