12 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Skip an Oil Change

Regular car maintenance can be easy to forget. Every morning, we hop in the car to dash off to work, and the car just runs.

However, regular oil changes are important in ensuring the smooth operation of your vehicle. Here are 12 reasons why you shouldn't skip your next oil change.

Engine Wear

The oil in your engine lubricates the moving parts to reduce friction in the engine. When the oil is fresh, it lubricates at peak efficiency, and that reduces the daily wear and tear of running your engine.

As the oil gets older, it gets dirty. As it gathers dirt and metal filings, its ability to lubricate decreases, and your engine starts to wear out faster. The longer you wait to get your oil changed, the more wear there is on your engine.

Poor Gas Mileage

No one likes spending money on gas. Regular oil changes make sure your car is running at peak efficiency, so you can go farther on one tank.

As your oil breaks down, it makes the engine work harder. A harder working engine means burning more gas per mile. The longer you go between oil changes, the more gas you will burn per mile.

Smooth Ride

If you haven't had regular oil changes in the past, you probably notice a significant difference in how the car performs before and after the oil change. Once the oil change is complete, your vehicle runs smoothly and with more power.

More Pollution

An efficient engine is also a clean engine. The inner workings of a modern car engine are extremely intricate and finely managed by your car's computer so it will get the best gas mileage and burn cleanly. When your oil doesn't work the way it should, your engine will emit more pollution.

Warranty

New cars can come with an excellent warranty that might last up to a decade, depending on what kind of car you buy. You should check the fine print, however.

Most car manufacturers require you to keep up a regular maintenance schedule for the warranty to remain valid. If you skip too many oil changes, your auto manufacturer might consider your warranty void. That can cost thousands of dollars if there's a problem.

Resale Value

Most people don't think about resale value when they buy a car. Eventually, however, they will want to sell their current car and buy a new one.

Scheduling regular oil changes will increase your car's resale value, because the engine will perform better when you sell your car. You might get an even bigger sale price if you keep a detailed record of your car maintenance to prove how well you have cared for the car.

Car Inspection

Most mechanics or oil change services will inspect your car when they do an oil change. They'll look at the battery, the air filters, the brakes and whatever else they have on their list. Your mechanic can catch problems before they start, whether they see the early signs of a breakdown or just remind you that your air filter needs replacing.

Maintenance Schedule

Every car has a suggested maintenance schedule that details when you should get an oil change, rotate your tires, flush your radiator and all the rest. When was the last time you looked at it? Never?

Your mechanic has. When you take your car for an oil change, your mechanic may remind you about any upcoming scheduled maintenance so you can keep your car running in perfect shape.

Seasonal Reminders

An oil change can also be a good reminder to think about your car. Depending on how frequently your manufacturer recommends an oil change, you can use your oil change as a reminder to do seasonal maintenance. Use your fall oil change as a reminder to get your car ready for winter.

Develop Good Car Ownership Habits

Habits are never independent of each other. When you build good habits in one area of life, it affects the others. When you keep up with your oil change schedule, it will make you more mindful of your car and how it works.

Oil Sludge

As your engine oil degrades, the engine temperature gets hotter. If it stays hot for too long, and you don't change the oil, the oil can start to turn into a sludge. When you don't change the oil for a long time, this can cause severe damage to your car.

Catastrophic Failure

Catastrophic failure is when your car engine seizes up. This won't happen if you skip an oil change or two, but it can happen if you make a long-term habit of missing oil changes.

Oil changes can seem like an inconvenience, but they are necessary for keeping your car running at its best. If you want your car to last a long time and to perform well, take the time to get the oil changed. If you don't, it will cost a lot more in money and time down the road.