The other day while surfing the web, I came across a photo titled exactly this, “What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil?” and it was a mess! The image happened to be of a BMW engine (valuable) filled with thick, brown, slimy sludge (considerably less valuable now). Of course blog readers spent a lot of time bashing this poor character, but that led me to wonder if there aren’t a lot of folks out there who simply don’t understand the importance of regular oil changes.

Of course we’ve all heard of the 3,000 mile oil change, but how many folks actually stick to it and get it done in time? Once you pass the 4,000 mile mark and your engine doesn’t stop working, it’s easy to forget or push it off a little longer. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at what’s happening under your hood that you don’t immediately notice. When oil is not changed, it causes sludge buildup all over the inside of the engine. This sludge is a result of dirty oil which becomes thicker and clogs the filter, preventing oil from flowing through it. This lack of filtration compounds the effects of a missed oil change because the oil gets dirtier at a faster rate. This dirty oil proceeds to build up in the oil pan and clog oil passages.

All this results in excessive wear of the piston rings, rod and main bearings, and cam and lifters. Still, even the term “excessive wear” sounds a little inconsequential, doesn’t it? Let’s try on “seize up” for size, then. When metal starts rubbing together because the oil is no longer able to lubricate the moving parts and sludge starts to build up within the engine, the engine will eventually seize up.

A seized engine is not an easy fix – it generally means a new engine or a new car, neither an affordable alternative. Fortunately, this is all easy and inexpensive to prevent. A simple oil change on a regular schedule is all it takes. Already past the recommended interval? Make an appointment with a trusted auto repair facility today for an oil change and inspection. On schedule with your preventative maintenance? Fantastic! Keep it up!