No, your car will stop running if you need an oil change. Your car needs oil to run, but it doesn’t need to be changed to start the engine. The engine uses oil as a lubricant that prevents metal parts from touching each other and causing friction damage.
Oil also helps cool the engine; when it wears out, your engine can overheat and break down.
However, if the mechanic says “Your car won’t start without an oil change,” it may be time to find a new mechanic! You should have your oil changed regularly because dirty or old oil reduces your engine’s efficiency and cause damage over time.
While this is a common misconception, it’s also a myth that can put your car at risk for damage.
You’ve probably heard this one before: If you don’t change your car’s oil, it will stop running. While this is a common misconception, it’s also a myth that can put your car at risk for damage.
The truth is, while not changing your oil can lead to some pretty bad problems, the engine won’t shut down on you until the oil pressure drops to zero (which means the engine’s parts are no longer lubricated). This generally doesn’t happen until all of the oil has leaked out. So even if you neglect an oil change for months, you’ll still be able to start your car and drive around. But just because you can do it doesn’t mean that you should!
Car engines rely on motor oil as lubricant between its moving parts, so when the motor oil gets old and dirty, it can cause damage in several ways:
- First off, since old motor oils don’t contain any of those added friction reducers anymore, they tend to create more friction than good quality oils do—and extra friction means extra heat is generated within the engine itself. Old and dirty motor oils aren’t very good at dissipating heat either—so that adds up to a lot of stress on your engine!
- Secondly, dirty and broken-down oils no longer adequately protect metal surfaces from corrosion or rusting; nor do they prevent moisture from condensing inside of parts like camshafts or crankshafts where temperature fluctuations are high. This buildup of corrosive residue is one way in which an unmaintained vehicle could wind up with damaging sludge in its engine system.
Around 25 percent of vehicles on the road currently are long overdue for maintenance. And the most common reason for that is neglecting oil changes.
You might be thinking, “But I’m not neglecting my oil changes.” And that’s great! But it’s very possible that, if you’ve been driving the same car for a while and haven’t kept up on maintenance, you could be due for an oil change. Around 25 percent of vehicles on the road currently are long overdue for maintenance. And the most common reason for that is neglecting oil changes.
If this applies to you and your vehicle is running well enough to get you to your nearest auto shop, then don’t worry: chances are good that an oil change won’t fix everything right away. However, over time and with continued neglect of routine maintenance tasks like oil changes (and engine flushes), an engine can suffer damage from a buildup of sludge in its system.
There are several factors at play that can affect how often your car needs an oil change: how frequently you drive; what kind of climate and road conditions you live in; how worn out your engine is; what type of motor oil and filter you use; and more. In general, though, it’s recommended by many experts to change the engine oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) and the oil filter every 6 months or 6,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Taking care of your car will actually save you money in the long run, so make sure you take it in for a checkup every once in a while.
Taking care of your car will actually save you money in the long run, so make sure you take it in for a checkup every once in a while. Oil changes are one of the most common and inexpensive ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly, and they’re usually necessary every 3-6 months or so. In addition to oil changes, it’s recommended that you get your car serviced at least once per year—more often if you drive it frequently or tend to go off-roading. If you’re planning on taking any long road trips this summer, now is a great time to schedule an appointment with your mechanic! Just remember: if you intend on making frequent stops at the beach like we do, don’t forget to bring some rags along. Nothing ruins a memorial photo op like spraying sand everywhere when you start up the engine!
