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Mar 29, 2024

To help keep your engine in great shape, you should visit your local Honda dealer for an oil change regularly to keep all of its components in good condition. When old oil cycles through your engine, it can cause damage. It can be especially damaging if you try to drive with old oil or a low oil level.

A "Check Engine Oil Soon" alert on an illuminated car dashboard near Orangeburg, South Carolina

Your oil’s job is to lubricate all the components of your engine to prevent wear and tear. However, the oil in your car deteriorates as time goes on. This makes it harder for the oil to break down harmful particles in your engine. The debris in your oil, along with a decrease in your oil level, can cause wear and tear in the engine. Plus, you may experience performance issues and decreased gas mileage when you have a low oil level or old, contaminated oil.

If you go too long between oil changes, then the oil in your engine can become more like sludge. This sludge definitely can’t lubricate the engine, and it can actually cause a lot of damage. You may need to replace the entire engine when it becomes clogged with this sludge.


How Frequently Do You Need to Change Your Oil?

Different models need their oil replaced at different frequencies. Usually, you’ll change the oil on a mileage-based schedule recommended in your owner’s manual. The type of oil your vehicle uses heavily influences how often you need to get the oil changed. Conventional oil needs to be change the most often, while synthetic oil can go a long time between changes.


What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Your Car Will Have Decreased Gas Mileage

When there’s old oil in your engine, you’ll notice you’re stopping for gas more often than usual. You may also have decreased gas mileage when you have an oil leak.


Your Engine Will Become Noisy

If there’s not enough high-quality oil cycling through your engine, then your engine may start making loud noises. Rattling sounds are common due to the increased friction in your engine.


Your Engine May Stall

When you have low-quality oil in your engine, the engine might seize up. If the issue hasn’t gone on for too long, then a simple oil change may remedy the problem.


Your Engine May Overheat

When the components in your engine aren’t lubricated properly, there’s more friction between them. This friction increases the likelihood that your engine will overheat, which can cause lots of damage to it.

Visit Superior Honda in Orangeburg, SC to change your oil regularly. Check your owner’s manual or talk to your mechanic about how often you should be getting the oil replaced.