One of the most important things you need to do to keep your vehicle in top shape is get regular oil changes. These simple services could add years to your vehicle's lifespan. It's important to note, however, that simple oil changes aren't enough. You need to make sure your oil stays clean as well.
People often ask, Does dirty oil ruin your engine? The short answer is yes. Dirty oil can cause serious problems for your vehicle and lead to extremely expensive repairs that could otherwise be avoided. You deserve to keep your vehicle on the streets of Philadelphia, Doylestown, Mechanicsburg and Flemington for as long as possible, so make sure you're giving it the proper care. Learn why dirty oil causes engine damage, and discover what you can do to stop it from happening.
While most people give credit to a vehicle's engine when praising performance, it's really the oil that keeps everything running. The engine is made of a multitude of moving parts, and these heavy metal pieces are constantly moving against one another. Without the lubrication that oil provides, these metal pieces would grind against each other and wear themselves down.
What Oil Does For Your Car

When people claim that dirty oil will ruin an engine, that's no joke. Without lubrication, the engine parts will slowly destroy themselves simply by running normally. This inevitably leads to serious engine problems which may require you to replace your engine entirely.
Effects of Dirty Oil
Merely having oil present isn't always enough to keep your vehicle running properly. Over time, oil degrades, which is why oil changes are necessary. Even if you get the necessary oil changes on time, however, you still need to make sure you're getting your oil filter changed. Without a functioning oil filter, you could be looking at contaminated or dirty oil.Dirty oil can be even more damaging than no oil at all. If your oil loses its viscosity or becomes infested with dirt, metal and other debris, it could become actively corrosive, effectively speeding the process by which your engine parts wear down. Lowering your vehicle's fuel economy is one of the first effects you'll feel with dirty oil. Your engine is also likely to overheat or simply break down entirely.
If you want to stop your engine from destroying itself, you need to make sure you're getting regular oil and oil filter changes. It may seem tedious, but you only need to get them done about every six months or 7,500 miles. If you drive an older car, the oil system won't be nearly as efficient, requiring you to get an oil and filter change every 3,000 miles.
When to Get an Oil Change

Keep in mind, those numbers are just general estimates. You have to take into account your driving habits, how much weight you typically have in your vehicle, how much time you spend in traffic and more. To discover what's best for your unique situation, you'll need to consult the experts or read up on how to tell your car needs an oil change.