The Consequences of Infrequent Oil Changes

We’ve all heard the same line from our mechanic: "Bring it in for an oil change every 3,000 miles." Not surprisingly, many of us choose to ignore this advice, regarding it as a ploy for service centers to get our money every few months. While it’s true that a select few vehicles don’t require oil changes every 3,000 miles, this is the point at which most cars and trucks need to have their oil emptied out and replenished. Whether you have this task carried out by a mechanic or perform it yourself, the fact of the matter is that is needs to get done.

Although most vehicle owners are aware that there are consequences for avoiding oil changes, many of us are unclear on the exact nature of these consequences. Provided our vehicles aren’t exhibiting any noticeable problems, we generally assume that everything is A-Okay under the hood. After all, if a car truly were in desperate need of an oil change, wouldn’t it be displaying very obvious signs of wear? Although his may seem like sound reasoning, habitually neglecting oil changes can give way to a litany of automotive issues, many of which are not immediately apparent.

Your Engine Will Get Very Dirty, Very Fast

When your oil isn’t changed on a consistent basis, your engine will get very dirty, very fast. The clumpy, dried-up oil will eventually start clogging the engine, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency and severe overheating. Not only does this pose a serious risk to your engine’s wellbeing, it also presents a safety hazard to you and any passengers in your vehicle. Depending on the severity of the clogging, this problem can cost a small fortune to remedy – whereas an oil change shouldn’t cost you more than fifty bucks.

Your Engine Will Overexert Itself

Oil’s job is to act as a lubricant and ensure that the various parts of a vehicle’s engine are able to comfortable work alongside one another – and the masterfully-formulated motor oils from Peak C&I offer maximum lubrication at rock-bottom prices. However, when the same oil remains in your engine for an extended period of time, the additives begin to wear off and the lubricating properties are lost. As a result, you’ll start hearing a lot of metallic components grinding against one another. In addition to causing undue wear on your engine, this can be incredibly grating to listen to – think "nails on a chalkboard" times ten. For the sake of both your engine and your eardrums, stay current with your oil changes.

Your Engine Will Die Prematurely

In essence, your engine functions as both the heart and brain of your vehicle. As such, it is the single most important component in any car or truck. Unfortunately, frequently skipping oil changes – or simply not changing your oil as often as you should – can kill your engine long before its time should be up. To make matters worse, replacing engines is incredibly expensive. In many cases, replacing the vehicle altogether is more financially sound than opting for an engine replacement. Of course, finding a buyer for a car without a functional engine can be tricky, particularly if you’re hoping to get anything resembling a fair price for your old vehicle.

No matter what kind of vehicle you own, changing your oil every 3,000 miles is in your best interest. Not only can doing so extend the life of your car or truck exponentially, it can save you a considerable sum in repair costs.

About the Author: Brett Stanton is an independent big rig driver with over 20 years of on-the-road experience. To keep his trusty truck up and running, he changes his oil every 3,000 miles and swears by Peak C&I’s heavy-duty motor oils.

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