What Happens When You Neglect to Get an Oil Change?

There are a lot of things you need to do to keep your vehicle running smoothly. The main thing is to get gas – you can’t get anywhere without gas. Well, there are electric cars now, but for the most part, you need gas. You also need to make sure your tire pressure is where it should be. But oil? Yes, it’s really necessary to get an oil change. How often should you do this? According to Nerd Wallet, you should get an oil change every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. What would happen if you didn’t do that? The damage might sneak under the radar and you wouldn’t know until it was too late. Here are some consequences:

You Can Severely Damage Your Engine

When you’re driving around, oil is what keeps your engine running smoothly. It’s a lubricant that keeps the parts from grinding against each other. If there is no oil to prevent that from happening, then those parts do grind against each other. As a result, you can have a lot of problems, including having your engine regularly halt. You don’t want to have that happen in a situation like being in the middle of a highway.

You Can Reduce the Resale Value

If you have a vehicle that’s been damaged due to your not getting an oil change, then that will significantly lower how much money you get when you sell it. The buyer is going to have to spend more money to get a new engine, among other things. If you keep up with your changes in oil, you can improve the chances of getting more money when you do sell.

You Can Void Your Vehicle’s Warranty

When you buy your vehicle, you will get a warranty. That warranty is valid only if you drive properly and also maintain your vehicle. Not getting an oil change constitutes improper care and can void the warranty, so if you have to get repairs, you will have to pay out of pocket. That’s an expensive thing for you to forget. Make sure that you regularly check your oil levels and have it changed when it gets low.

It’s important to get an oil change whenever necessary. It’s just a quick trip to the auto shop. You can often just take it to your dealership. By scheduling preventative maintenance beforehand, you can avoid running into these issues in the future. Are you looking for a local shop to get an oil change? Contact us today!