The consequences of driving too long with contaminated engine oil

The importance of changing engine oil

Many car owners put off changing their oil for too long. It's important for garages to actively inform customers about the risks of contaminated oil. A flashing warning light on the dashboard or a strange sound when starting the engine can indicate oil problems. But is an oil change really necessary? We'll tell you more about the pros and cons of oil changes, and why we're keen to encourage garages to perform oil changes on time.

Why change engine oil?

As you know, motor oil serves several important functions in your car. It lubricates, cools, protects, and cleans the engine's moving parts. This reduces friction and wear. As the same oil continues to run in the engine, its quality can deteriorate. Dust, metal particles, soot, and combustion residues gradually accumulate. And the longer you wait to change it, the more that oil changes from a lubricant to a viscous substance.

Contaminated oil: a creeping problem

Driving with contaminated engine oil can be fine for a long time, but there comes a point when the oil loses its vital lubricating properties. This means engine components experience increased friction, wear more quickly, and can eventually seize up. Cooling becomes less effective, resulting in rising temperatures under the hood. And when the cleaning action is lost, internal components slowly become coated with a layer of sludge—a thick, black deposit that settles in places you absolutely don't want it.

This means drivers can drive several thousand kilometres without changing the oil before experiencing engine problems. The costs associated with acute engine problems are high and unnecessary. Think of replacing pistons, cylinders, camshafts, or, in the worst-case scenario, a completely new engine. For this reason alone, changing the oil regularly is not a waste of time, but a dire necessity. Changing the oil on time can prevent these problems.

Fact or fiction: modern motor oil lasts longer

It's true that modern motor oils, especially synthetic versions, perform much better than before. They remain stable longer, retain their viscosity better, and can handle more contamination. But that doesn't mean they last forever. Your customers might say, "I only drive short distances," or, conversely, "I drive a lot, so the oil will keep flowing." Both assumptions are factually incorrect.

Short trips prevent the engine from ever reaching its full operating temperature. This causes fuel vapours and condensation to settle in the oil, which then degrades more quickly. On the other hand, frequent (and longer) driving leads to longer operating hours and therefore faster oil contamination. In both cases, an oil change is recommended during car maintenance.

How often should I change the oil?

The big question is: how often should a garage change the oil? We're deliberately not giving a clear-cut answer. It depends on the type of car, the oil, and the driving habits of the drivers who visit your garage. As a rule of thumb, oil changes are done every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres, or once a year. For older cars and those using mineral oil, it may even be necessary sooner. This information is often described in the car's maintenance manual, but we're happy to offer advice.

Drivers should be aware that most cars will automatically alert you to oil problems through a warning light or message on the dashboard. Don't ignore these signals!

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