What Happens When You Don’t Change Oil for 50,000 Miles?
You might not realize it, but oil is one of the most important components of your engine. While it is useful in more ways than one, its function can be summed up as being able to improve the performance of the vehicle. That being said, you need to make sure that the oil is changed as needed so that it is free from contaminants that could make it less effective.
What happens when you don’t change oil for 50,000 miles? Read the rest of this post to find out. I will not only answer this question, but I will also enlighten you on some of the most important things that you need to know about oil.
Importance of Oil in Your Car
Among other things, one of the most important reasons why your car needs oil is for lubrication. Depending on where the oil is applied, it will minimize the friction between components, which means that they can run smoothly. In turn, this minimizes wear and tear, providing an assurance that those parts will last longer.
The oil is considered the lifeblood of an engine. Aside from preventing friction, it also fights the heat. In the absence of oil, the motor will produce heat that is too much for it to handle. As a consequence, this will lead to friction, and again, it will damage the components of the engine.
Didn’t Change My Oil for 50,000 Miles!
Super sludge – this is what you can expect if you do not change the oil of your car after running for 50,000 miles. The canister filter will be filled with gooey sludge, which can also minimize its functionality. Watch the short video below to learn more about this situation:
So, basically, sludge will form in the oil filter. It will become thicker the longer you do not change the oil. It does not only look gross, but it will have a direct impact on the performance of the engine. This will end up being bad not only for your car but for your wallet as well. This can lead to costly repairs!
Importance of a Change Oil
Below are some of the reasons why changing oil is necessary and not optional:
- Maintains Lubrication: Earlier in this post, I mentioned that oil is important because it lubricates the components of the vehicle. It will dramatically lessen wear and tear on the parts.
- Cools the Engine: If there is a lack of lubrication, there will be a lot of friction, which, in turn, will produce excessive heat. With the right type and amount of oil, this can be avoided and there is a lesser likelihood that your engine will suffer from overheating.
- Improves Gas Mileage: Fuel efficiency is another good reason why you need to change the oil regularly. When the engine is oiled properly, there is less effort needed for it to run, which also means that it will be using less gas.
- Avoids the Build-up of Sludge: In the short video earlier in this article, sludge has formed on the filter because of not changing the oil. This gunk will cause corrosion and minimize the functional life of the engine.
When to Change Oil
Via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1hF25Cowv8
There are many ways to determine when an oil change is already necessary. Mileage is one of the most common indicators of an oil change. If you drive in extreme environments, especially in places that are hot, you have to change oil after running 1,000 to 3,000 miles. The same thing is true if you often get stuck in traffic and if you make a lot of stops.
Under optimal driving environments, on the other hand, you can change the oil every 5,000 miles or after every six months, depending on which comes first. To be sure, consult with the manual or instructions that are provided by the manufacturer.
You should also take time to check the current level of oil. If it is below what is recommended, an oil change is warranted. Here are the simple steps on how you can check its level:
- Park the car on an even surface. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down before you proceed.
- Look for the dipstick and pull it out. In some vehicles, you have to unscrew it. Use a tissue so that your hand will not get dirty.
- Wipe the end of the stick to remove any residue from the oil.
- Re-insert the dipstick until it reaches the bottom of the canister containing oil.
- Pull it out and check the markings to see how much oil is still remaining. When it is below the normal range, change oil as soon as possible.
There are also some signs that you have to watch out for to know when it is time to change the oil. One of the most obvious is when the engine is running louder than what you usually hear. The loud sound that the engine produces is basically because of the lack of lubrication, which is the main function of oil.
You might also want to take a look at the oil that is currently in your engine. Look at its appearance. The usual color of the oil is light or honey-brown. If it is already black and if you see that there are some sort of foreign particles that get mixed in the oil, this is another sign that you need to have it changed.
Conclusion
So, what happens when you don’t change oil for 50,000 miles? Obviously, your filter will get a lot of sludge. This will make it less functional and affect the overall performance of the engine. Worse, this can be the beginning of an endless list of problems that can be costly to repair once it is too late.
Is there anything else that you would like to add about changing oil? Do you have experiences to share? Let us know in the comment section.
