What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Oil change

When life in High Point gets hectic, it can be difficult to keep up with your vehicle’s regularly scheduled maintenance. At the Terry Labonte Chevrolet service center, we sometimes hear from customers who want to know, what happens if you don’t change your oil? Over time, motor oil breaks down and will become less effective at lubricating your engine’s moving parts. This causes an increase in friction, which can lead to a dramatic increase in temperature. When your engine gets too hot, serious damage can occur. Learn more about the importance of regular oil changes with us in the guide below.

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THE MECHANICAL RISKS OF DELAYING OIL CHANGES

Our No. 1 recommendation is that you never put yourself in the position to learn the answer to “what happens if you don’t get your oil changed?” from firsthand experience.

As we noted above, without fresh oil, your engine’s components can’t get the lubrication they need to prevent friction. As friction causes a rise in temperature, your engine will run less efficiently, and its components will experience wear and tear –– they might even become warped from the heat. Go without an oil change for long enough, and you run the risk of total engine failure. At this point, you’re looking at thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

THE RISK TO YOUR WARRANTY COVERAGE

Is your car still covered by its original factory warranty? If you don’t get regularly scheduled oil changes, you could end up with a voided warranty. Warranty coverage is a major perk to purchasing a brand-new vehicle –– get the most from your investment and don’t allow it to go to waste!

WHAT DOES MOTOR OIL DO?

Motor oil doesn’t just act as a lubricant to prevent wear and tear to your engine’s parts. It also has the following important jobs:

  • Some motor oils have dispersants in them to help keep the engine clean of sludge
  • Motor oil contains detergents to help clean varnish from the engine, too
  • Frequently replenished motor oil helps neutralize acids that form from fuels, improves piston ring seals, and cools your engine by taking heat away from it

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED AN OIL CHANGE?

Most drivers in Winston-Salem should be able to go between 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes without issue. It’s best to consult your owner’s manual for an exact figure based on your vehicle’s unique maintenance schedule. Also worth noting: your individual driving habits may call for more frequent oil changes, such as if you have a considerably long daily commute or you use your vehicle for strenuous activities like off-roading and towing.

SCHEDULE AN OIL CHANGE IN GREENSBORO TODAY!

Don’t let yourself find out what happens if you don’t get your oil changed, schedule an appointment with Terry Labonte Chevrolet today! Our experienced technicians can have you in and out of our service center in a timely manner. Before your visit, take a moment to review our service specials for oil change coupons and more!