Oil Changes: Why Do It and What Happens If You Go Too Long Without One

Friday, 28 July, 2017

Changing the oil in your new Kia or pre-owned car is critical for a healthy vehicle. It’s also the most common bit of vehicle maintenance you need to do as a car owner.

But can you change your oil too often? What happens if you drive too many miles or forget to change the oil? At Landers Kia in Little Rock, Arkansas, we’ve got the answers for you, so keep reading!

* WHY CHANGE OIL *

Engine oil serves the purpose of cooling, sealing, cleaning and lubricating the engine. As you drive, the oil is constantly flowing through the engine to keep it free of debris and corrosion, while making sure the metal parts are coated so they work properly and reduce drag.

* HOW OFTEN TO CHANGE OIL *

How often you should change your oil depends on whether you use conventional, semi-synthetic or full-synthetic oil. The every 3,000 miles myth no longer applies and changing your oil too often is wasteful. For vehicles that have been made in the last 15 years or so, it’s between 5,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on the type of oil, your vehicle and driving habits.

Every vehicle is different and each has it’s own manufacturer recommended oil maintenance schedule as well. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommended oil change frequency.

* GOING TOO LONG WITHOUT AN OIL CHANGE *

You may not notice anything immediately, but going too long without changing your oil can cause long-term problems for your engine.

Engines tend to burn up oil and it needs to be changed before the oil is burned up, which will harm your engine.

Oil flows through a filter, which collects debris and other junk so the oil is clean. Going too long without changing the oil or filter will cause the filter to become clogged and allow the oil to pass through with all that dirt and grime, which can be abrasive and damaging.

To make an service appointment to change your oil, fill our our online scheduler ! Don’t forget to check out our service specials .

Image: BisonFleet.net

Categories : Service , Car Tips

Tags : Oil Change , Maintenance