(However, if you have a trusted mechanic and a vehicle with problems, it may be best to listen to them.) And once your change oil light comes on, do so as soon as possible.
Definitely don't wait more than two weeks or 500 miles
, or you may have a very expensive problem on your hands.
How long can you drive with oil maintenance required?
Generally speaking, you have about
2 weeks or 500 miles
of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem. But once it hits that point, things can go downhill fast, leading to serious mechanical damage. So, try to get your vehicle into a mechanic sooner rather than later.
Can you drive your car if it says maintenance required?
Secondly, resetting the maintenance required light after you have changed the oil restarts the counter. As a result,
you can drive safely on roads
and after 5,000 miles, this light will automatically remind you it's time for a new oil change, so you don't have to count the miles manually.
What happens if you don't get oil maintenance?
Go long enough without an oil change, and it could eventually cost you your car. Once motor oil becomes sludge, it no longer draws heat from the engine.
The engine might overheat and either blow a gasket or seize up
. The milky white exhaust of a blown head gasket will force you directly to the side of the road.
How far can you drive with no oil?
Your engine will run smoothly even if you do not change the oil too often or if you run the vehicle over the set limit. If your engine can tolerate, it will take your vehicle anywhere between
5,000 to 6,000 miles
. Depending upon the age of your car, your engine can even go up to 10,000 miles.
What happens if you wait too long for oil change?
In fact, if you wait too long for an oil change,
your smooth and clean oil will turn into dirty sludge
. When this happens, your engine must work harder to fight through the buildup of muck. It loses its lubrication, and decreases heat absorption. This means that your car will be susceptible to major issues.
What does it mean when your maintenance required light comes on?
The maintenance required light is
notifying you that maintenance is required according to the driven distance on the vehicle's maintenance schedule
.
Can you go a year without an oil change?
Keep in mind, though, that
most manufacturers recommend getting an oil change twice a year no matter how many miles you've driven
. That's right—even if you've only driven 1,000 miles since your last oil change, you still need to get an oil change every six months.
What color should oil be on dipstick?
Q. What color should oil be on the dipstick? Motor oil color changes depending on the time it has been in the engine and any problems happening in your vehicle. As a general rule,
new oil will be amber in color while old oil will be darker
.
What happens if you don't change your oil for 2 years?
When oil has not been changed for a long time,
it will begin to gel or solidify in an engine, eventually turning into sludge
. When this happens, the oil will not be able to reach all parts of the engine, leading to oil starvation in the crankshafts, bearings, camshafts, and other valve train components.
What happens if you drive car with low oil?
Without enough oil,
your auto's engine would seize up and stop functioning
. Motor oil is responsible for making your car run as smoothly as possible. Often referred to as the “lifeblood” of your engine, motor oil performs the following critical functions for your car. Lubricates moving engine parts.
What happens when engine oil is low?
When your engine oil is running low,
your engine's components stop receiving the lubrication they need to function properly
. Once this happens, you may start to hear clunking, knocking, ticking, or grinding noises coming from your vehicle's engine.
What are signs you need an oil change?
- Check Engine or Oil Change Light. The most obvious alert that there's an issue with your oil will come from the car itself. …
- Engine Noise and Knocking. …
- Dark, Dirty Oil. …
- Oil Smell Inside the Car. …
- Exhaust Smoke. …
- Excessive Mileage. …
- Change Oil Promptly.
Is mileage or date more important for oil change?
It's not just about miles: If you don't drive your car a lot, your oil still needs to be kept fresh. Even if you drive fewer miles each year than your automaker suggests changing the oil (say, 6,000 miles, with suggested oil-change intervals at 7,500 miles),
you should still be getting that oil changed twice a year
.
How can u tell if u need a oil change?
- Excess Vehicle Exhaust. …
- Falling Oil Level. …
- Increased Engine Noise. …
- Irregular Oil Texture. …
- Low Oil Level. …
- More Mileage Than Usual. …
- Persistent Check Engine Light. …
- Shaking While Idling.
What does oil maintenance required mean on a Lexus?
When the Lexus Maintenance Required light appears on your dashboard, it means that
your vehicle is due for an oil change, tire rotation, or other routine maintenance task
. This usually occurs every 3,500 to 5,000 miles, depending on your Lexus model.
Is maintenance required the same as check engine?
The simplest explanation for the difference between a check engine light and service light is the former indicates a major problem and
the latter indicates a need for maintenance or regularly scheduled service
.
Why is my maintenance light on after oil change?
The light could be on after an oil change because of
an issue with the oil pump
. If this is the cause, there could be not enough oil circulating through to the various parts. Performing regular oil changes should help prevent this from happening, but parts do wear out.
What happens if you don't service your car on time?
By not servicing your car you are likely to find that
its performance may deteriorate
. This may mean that you start to hear strange noises, have little problems with general running and lights start to pop up all over the dashboard.
