10 OIL CHANGE MISTAKES THAT CAN DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE -

In this article, we’ll mention some of the most common oil change mistakes.

Changing the oil is a routine job, especially for people who know their way around cars. But if you’re a novice, then you might want to give this article a read.

Although changing the oil is relatively easy, there are some things you should have in mind when doing this.

Otherwise, you’re engine may suffer major damage which then leads to costly repairs.

Besides this article, you can also watch our YouTube channel where you can see lots of cars and driving-related videos that you may find useful.

OIL CHANGE MISTAKES THAT CAN DAMAGE THE ENGINE

1. NOT CHANGING THE OIL ON TIME

Not changing the oil on time is by far the most common reason for damaging the engine.

Poor maintenance overall is bad, but not changing the engine oil on time is the worst, it is a death sentence for your engine, even if you buy a new car.

Know that oil loses its viscosity and characteristics over time and will eventually stop lubricating. In the meantime, sludge will start forming in the engine causing even more problems.

All of this then causes the engine to eventually seize.

If you want to see how to check the oil quality in your car, click here to read an article dedicated to that topic.

2. USING THE WRONG TYPE OF OIL

The next common mistake when making an oil change is using the wrong type of oil. Each engine has an oil specification stated by the manufacturer. You can change brands, but not these specifications.

The worst mistakes are mixing mineral and synthetic oil, which leads to engine failure, but also it’s a mistake to use oil with the wrong viscosity.

3. USING CHEAP ENGINE OIL

On this part, we would not want to be biased, but it’s best to choose oil from renowned manufacturers that guarantee good quality.

Again, it is best to use engine oil that the manufacturer suggests or oils of similar quality.

4. NOT CHANGING THE OIL FILTER

Many drivers avoid changing the oil filter together with the oil, although it is one of the cheapest car parts.

The oil filter cleanses all debris from the engine oil and protects the engine. If you don’t change it regularly, it can get clogged, stop the oil flow, and the engine will get damaged.

5. TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE OIL LEVEL

One more common mistake is pouring too much or too little oil. Too much oil can damage the catalytic converter, damage various seals, and utterly cause engine damage.

Too little oil will surely cause engine damage after a short time, it will seize, especially if the engine burns oil.

For more information on how to check the engine oil level click here.

6. NOT TIGHTENING THE OIL CAP

Believe it or not, leaving the oil cap loose is one of the most common mishaps.

Most people forget to tighten it after they’ve finished changing the oil. This can cause a major oil spill and if it goes unchecked, it can cause engine damage due to a low oil level.

7. TIGHTENING OF THE DRAIN PLUG

One more common problem is overtightening the drain plug.

Lots of people do this because they are afraid that the plug will get loose by accident.

The result in a better-case scenario is struggling to release the drain plug when the next oil change comes, the worst-case scenario is you have to replace the whole oil sump.

The next worst mistake is leaving it loose, which leads to leaks and eventually total loss of oil.

You can see how to change the engine oil on your car by clicking here.

8. TIGHTENING THE OIL FILTER

When changing the oil filter, lots of people overtighten it. This will not cause engine damage but it will be a struggle to unscrew it during the next oil change, and the old filter seal may get stuck on the filter housing.

But worse, is leaving it loose, which happens almost always by accident. This can cause a major oil spill, and if you don’t notice it, the engine suffers damage.

9. HIGH REVVS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN OIL CHANGE

You should leave the engine idle a couple of minutes after the oil change so the new oil can get to all of the crucial inner parts of the engine.

Some people tend to immediately rev up the engine after starting, guess it’s for better oil flow, but it can cause engine damage since the engine is not yet properly lubricated.

10. NOT FLUSHING A POORLY MAINTAINED ENGINE

If you have an engine that hasn’t had an oil change for a long time or has sat for a long time, it’s best to take off the valve cover and make a brief inspection.

People think that simply by pouring new engine oil everything will be just like new. If the engine is filled with gunk and sludge, an oil change will not help, the oil will not flow properly, and this will cause engine damage.

CONCLUSION

In the end, one more useful tip: always check for leaks when you’re finished with the oil change.

Start the engine and while it’s idling, check the oil filter and drain plug for leaks. Also, make sure the oil cap is tightened and that the dipstick is properly in place.

This way you’ll probably notice any mistake or problem on time, and not when driving or when it’s too late.

Once more, change your oil on time. It’s the cheapest yet the most important part of maintenace.