We here at Miller Brothers Auto Repair cannot overstate how important oil changes are to your car, truck, or C/SUV. This not only puts clean oil in the engine to protect it and reduce its heat generation, but it also puts a clean oil filter in the engine to keep the fresh motor oil clean. If you fail to get your oil changed, your oil filter will get dirty and clogged. When this happens, you will notice the following.
Poor Engine Performance
One of the first things that might happen is you will notice a reduction in your engine’s performance. This can be a sign that dirty motor oil is circulating through the engine or there is very little motor oil circulating through the engine. Your engine and its acceleration will lag and sputter. Continuing to drive the automobile with dirty or too little motor oil can damage the engine.
Reduction in Fuel Efficiency
Consequently, when the engine is not running at its best, it tends to burn through the gasoline or diesel fuel more quickly. As such, you will see a noticeable reduction in your automobile’s fuel efficiency. You will get as many miles to each gallon that you normally get, which means you will need to fill your tank more often. This can end up costing more than an oil change.
Audible Clanking or Grinding
If you hear metallic sounds, such as clanking or grinding, coming from the engine, stop driving your automobile immediately. This is a sign that you do not have oil circulating through the engine. If this is the case, you can damage your engine beyond repair in less than 30 minutes. Instead of driving to our shop, have your vehicle towed to our shop.
Oil Dashboard Warning Light
You might also end up with a dashboard warning if the oil filter is clogged. This is because the clogged filter will reduce the oil pressure in the engine. This will trigger the engine control unit to turn on the oil light on the dashboard. Head straight to our shop so we can change the oil and replace the filter to restore the oil pressure.
Exhaust That Is Dirty
Finally, your vehicle’s exhaust will get dirty if the oil filter is clogged. The oil will deposit dirt and grime throughout the engine, and, consequently, the engine will burn away this dirt and grime. This can increase the hydrocarbons in the exhaust.
Call Miller Brothers Auto Repair in Somerset, WI, today to schedule an oil change if you have not had the oil changed in more than 3,000 miles.