Almost all car enthusiasts know that the oil needs to be changed. Let’s see why the oil is changed, and what consequences you can expect if the oil is not changed on time.
Replacing the oil in your car’s engine in a timely manner ensures its normal performance. The replacement interval depends on the vehicle model and the type of oil used. As a rule, the oil is changed after a run of 8000-10000 km. To begin with, let’s recall why we generally change the oil in the engine. The oil envelops the lubricated engine parts, leaving on the surface of the elements moving relative to each other, the so-called protective layer (a very thin layer of oil). This layer helps to reduce the frictional force between them. The oil practically eliminates friction of parts during engine operation. This significantly reduces wear on parts and extends their service life. But any oil has its own resource, after which the properties deteriorate significantly. In addition to reducing friction, the oil also acts as an engine coolant. Over time, it liquefies and removes heat much worse.
With a high mileage on one oil, it liquefies and copes worse with friction of parts. With increasing friction, all engine components experience significantly higher loads. In the best case, this will threaten with increased fuel consumption and reduced service life of parts, but in the worst case, the engine may “knock”. When a knock appears in the engine, overhaul can no longer be avoided, and its cost is unlikely to please anyone.
What will shorten the life of the oil?
There is such a thing as oil aging. It suggests that over time, additives burn out in the engine and contaminants accumulate. As a result, the oil becomes “dirty”, that is, it loses its color, structure and properties. This means that it ceases to perform the functions that are entrusted to it. Therefore, it is necessary to drain the old oil and refill the engine with new. You also need to remember to replace the oil filter, which also ceases to perform its functions as a result of contamination.
The biggest challenge for oil is short-distance city driving, which prevents the engine oil from reaching its optimum temperature.
As a result, a large amount of fuel enters the oil without hindrance, which leads to the depletion of oil additives. And the presence of water in the oil causes a change in the characteristics of the engine oil. Thus, citizens who frequently travel in the city or for short distances should pay particular attention to the condition of the oil. Since it is during this operation of the car that the oil undergoes the greatest wear.
Naturally, continuing to drive on already used oil, you thereby cause great damage to the engine. After all, oil does not fulfill the functions assigned to it. This leads to corrosion, increased wear of parts, and even overheating of the engine. Another possible result can be clogged oil passages.
In order not to have to resort to expensive repairs, it is necessary to follow some rules. First, do not allow your vehicle to be idle for too long. If the engine is not started for a long time, then all the oil flows into the crankcase and after starting the engine runs almost dry.
Secondly, do not skip oil change dates. If, for some reason, you could not change the oil in time, then this threatens with serious consequences. Immediately, of course, you should not panic. If you missed an oil change by 1-2 thousand km, then this does not threaten your motor. The extra 5-10 thousand on old oil is already more dangerous.
In addition to the mileage, it is worth looking at the oil life. Even with low mileage, it is undesirable to drive on one oil for more than a year, therefore, when this period is reached, a replacement is also necessary.
How often should the engine oil be changed?
The frequency of oil change is individual for each vehicle. This should be described in your vehicle’s instruction manual. If you use a branded service station, you must notify the master about this. If you are slightly overdue to change your oil, do not panic right away. One to two thousand kilometers will not seriously damage the engine. But more than two thousand, passed on used oil, can already seriously affect the resource of your engine.
What problems will you have to face with an untimely oil change?
Operating a car with old oil can have very serious consequences. In this article, we will tell you about the most common breakdowns.
Rotation of connecting rod bearings
The most common reason for cranking the connecting rod bearings is an untimely oil change. Used engine oil has a negative effect on the lubrication system and working mechanisms. The result is clogging of the oil channel. The more used engine oil has accumulated, the greater the load on the connecting rod bearings, and, consequently, excessive heating, which leads to cranking of the connecting rod bearings.
Wear of turbocharger parts
Operating the vehicle with used engine oil can damage the rotor. In the rotor, when used oil is used, the turbocharger shaft and bearings wear out, which leads to the formation of deep scratches on them.
In addition, the use of contaminated engine oil leads to furrowing and bearing destruction, which can damage the turbocharger shaft and housing. In addition, contaminated engine oil will clog the turbocharger lubrication passages, leading to seizure.
Wear of engine parts
The most common cause of wear on engine parts is poor lubrication quality when the engine oil has a low viscosity. This causes the so-called oil film to break between the cylinder and piston. Since used engine oil cannot cope with the neutralization of soot and acidic compounds formed during combustion.
Also, wear of parts occurs due to the lack of lubrication of the engine or deterioration of its quality, which leads to a sharp increase in the temperature of individual engine parts, and this lasts until the interacting parts melt.
In addition, an untimely oil change can lead to bending or even destruction of the valve. Damage to the valve can result in gas leakage in the combustion chamber.
The consequences of untimely replacement can be very serious, since the oil in the engine not only reduces the friction force between the rubbing parts, but also lowers the temperature between them.