Car Care Tips

Tips to keep your car on the road.

Maintenance May 29, 2020

How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

Which option would you choose: paying under $100 for an hour-long oil change OR paying thousands(!) for engine repair that takes days to complete?

The oil change is the obvious choice, but that’s the gamble you take when you put off an oil change.

It’s best not to push your luck with how long you can go without an oil change. It may seem like a burden to take the time to do it. But if you don’t get regular oil changes, the junk will build up and you’ll be facing a much larger problem.

Why Oil Changes Matter

Frequent oil changes are necessary for keeping your car performing at its best. Motor oil’s primary function is to keep the various parts of your car’s engine well-lubricated. As it circulates through the engine, oil provides a layer of protection between the engine’s moving parts, draws heat away from the engine, and carries away bits of dirt and metal.

Over time, exposure to heat, air, and moisture causes your car’s oil to become less effective. Debris clogs up the oil filter, and oxidation thickens the oil into sludge.

The sludge and debris wear away parts of the engine the oil is meant to protect, leading to very expensive repairs. However, for a just little bit of time and money, this could all be avoided!

Read: Why Fluids are Crucial for Proper Vehicle Maintenance

Why do we need oil changes?

What happens if you don’t get an oil change?

Our Falls Church location once had a car come in that had been driven over 12,000 miles since its last oil change—far more than the recommended mileage interval. The engine had run almost completely dry, and the pistons had seized inside the motor. The entire engine needed to be replaced because it was beyond repair.

This is because once motor oil turns to sludge, it doesn’t draw heat away from the engine or lubricate the engine parts. As all the moving parts rub metal-on-metal in the high heat, they warp and wear down.

Eventually, the engine will blow a gasket or seize. When you try to start the car, you might get a small “click” noise or nothing at all. Once an engine seizes, it cannot be repaired—it must be replaced.

How often should you get an oil change?

You might have heard the old advice to get an oil change every “3 months or 3,000 miles.” But that’s simply not true anymore!

With all the advancements in engine design and synthetic oil technology, modern vehicles can go 5,000, 7,500 or even 10,000+ miles between oil changes. Our best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval found in the owner’s manual.

Many modern vehicles are equipped with an engine oil life monitoring system that notifies you when you’re due for an oil change. Every system is slightly different, but, essentially, the oil life monitoring system tracks your mileage and driving habits to calculate how much longer your oil will last.

Read: Why is My Dashboard Oil Light On?

Keep in mind, though, that most manufacturers recommend getting an oil change twice a year no matter how many miles you’ve driven. That’s right—even if you’ve only driven 1,000 miles since your last oil change, you still need to get an oil change every six months.

When you come in for an oil change for the first time at Virginia Tire & Auto, we make a note in our database of what type of oil your car’s manufacturer recommends and how often to change it. Then, every time you come in for an oil change, we put a sticker in your window to remind you when you should get your next oil change.

Many shops still put the default 3,000 miles on their oil change sticker, no matter what the owner’s manual says. But we know that’s not good for your wallet, your car, or the environment! And we want to give you the best, most honest recommendation every time you come into our shop.

Following your recommended oil change schedule is very important for the life of your vehicle. Don’t turn a minor inconvenience in your schedule into a major chunk out of your wallet.

Due for an oil change? Schedule a visit today at one of our convenient Virginia Tire & Auto locations.

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