We here at Hightech Automotive could never overstate the importance of regular oil changes for your car, truck, or utility vehicle. You always need clean motor oil circulating through the engine to extend your engine life and help it to run inefficiently. The motor oil needs to run through a clean oil filter to ensure it is always free of dirt and grime. If you fail to have your oil changed when it needs it, you will end up with a clogged oil filter and the following problems.
Sputtering Engine Performance
Because the oil is running through a dirty oil filter, it will carry the dirt into the engine and deposit it onto the moving parts. This is going to slow your engine down and cause it to sputter. In addition, the engine will also have problems performing if the oil filter gets so clogged that it reduces the oil flow throughout the engine. If you continue to ignore the problem, you will end up with a damaged engine.
Noticeable Gas Mileage Reduction
You are also going to notice a reduction in your car, truck, or C/SUV’s gas mileage because the engine is not running efficiently. As we mentioned above, clean motor oil keeps the engine’s efficiency up. Dirty motor oil is going to reduce the efficiency and, as a consequence, cause the engine to burn through the gasoline or diesel fuel quicker than it normally would. This reduces your gas mileage.
Reduction in the Oil Pressure
The engine will also suffer because there will be a reduction in the oil pressure. This can reduce the amount of oil circulating through the engine and slow it down. Consequently, system sensors are going to start to report error codes to the engine control module, and it will turn on the oil light.
Metallic, Grinding Engine Noises
You may also start to hear grinding or metallic noises coming from the engine. It is absolutely crucial that you pull over right away and turn off your engine. These noises are the moving parts grinding against each other because there is no oil circulating through the engine to lubricate them.
Excess Exhaust Hydrocarbons
Finally, a dirty engine is going to produce excess hydrocarbons in your vehicle’s exhaust, and as we mentioned above, dirty motor oil creates a dirty engine. This can be bad news if your vehicle is due for an emissions test in order to register it. The automobile will likely fail the test.
Hightech Automotive in Forest City, NC, is here to help, so give us a call to set up an oil change service.