What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

It happens to the best of us. You were on schedule with your oil change and then life got in the way. Now it’s been a little longer than you’d like to admit since your car had its oil changed. While you may be thinking that your car can last “just a little bit longer” while driving in Aurora, the truth is your car is already feeling the effects of cycling old oil. Read about what may be happening to your engine below from the service experts at Valley Honda!

What Oil Does for Your Car

Most drivers in Chicago know that the oil in your car primarily acts as a lubricant to keep the internal parts moving smoothly. When you neglect your vehicle’s oil change schedule, the oil (and your engine) will begin to degrade. Dirt and debris can build up in your engine, which can damage the small, internal parts. After a while, the oil will become thick with debris and lose its lubricating properties. Without lubricant, your engine’s parts will begin to weld together, making the engine inoperable.

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How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

The schedule for changing your oil is different for each car and dependent on the driving habits of drivers in Naperville. Typically it’s recommended that you change your oil every six months or every 7,000 miles. Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.

How to Change Your Oil At Home:

It’s easy to change your oil on your own, just follow these steps:

1. Use a car jack to set your car on jack stands or steel ramps.
2. Find the oil drain plug on the bottom of your oil pan underneath your engine, then place an oil basin directly underneath the plug. Unscrew the plug and allow the old oil to drain out completely. This could take up to 15 minutes. When you’re sure all the oil has drained, replace the plug.
3. Locate your oil filter, and remove it with an oil filter wrench. Some extra oil may drain when you remove the filter, so be sure to keep the basin close by.
4. Rub some of the new oil around the rubber seal on your filter. This will ensure your filter is watertight – an essential step.
5. Set the new filter in place, then tighten it by hand.
6. Now that your old oil is completely drained and a new filter is in place, you can remove your oil cap. Pour in the new oil. Find specific instructions on which oil to use and how much in your owner’s manual. Replace the oil cap.
7. Ensure your oil is at the proper level by checking the oil dipstick.

Get Your Oil Changed at Valley Honda!

At Valley Honda, we want to ensure that your Honda is in excellent condition so you can drive on Oswego roads with peace of mind. You can check out more features like how often you should rotate your tires, how to jump start a car, how to decipher Honda service codes. Contact us and schedule an appointment with our service department to have your oil changed and your car maintained. Get additional savings by taking advantage of our service specials!

Our Service Specials