The oil filter is not that big of an automotive part, so how can it do so much damage? We here at Del Hatt Automotive are going to explain below what can happen if you fail to have your oil changed regularly and let the oil filter get clogged. We can help prevent this by changing your oil every 3,000 miles. We can also change the oil every 5,000 miles if you use synthetic motor oil. Either way, an oil change means a clean oil filter and fewer chances of the following problems.
Iffy Engine Performance
The oil filter cleans the motor oil after it has circulated through the engine and picked up dirt. If the oil filter is dirty, the oil is going to remain dirty. Consequently, this will cause the oil to deposit grime throughout the engine rather than remove it. This will affect your engine’s performance by reducing it. It will also cause your engine to run hotter than it normally does.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Anytime the engine’s performance is reduced, what’s going on inside is reducing your fuel economy. As the engine struggles to produce the power that you request of it, it burns through more gasoline or diesel fuel. Consequently, one of the first things that you will notice with a clogged oil filter is a reduction in your vehicle’s engine performance and its fuel economy.
Reduced Oil Circulation
The more the oil filter gets clogged the less oil you have circulating through the engine. In addition, the clogged oil filter will reduce the oil pressure in the engine. This, too, can affect your engine’s performance and reduce it. In addition, it will cause you to receive an oil light on the dashboard because the engine control module has received error codes from system sensors.
Metallic Engine Noises
Eventually, the oil filter may be so clogged that it will prohibit the oil’s circulation. When this happens, the engine parts that are normally lubricated by the motor oil are going to grind against each other. You will hear grinding and growling noises coming from the engine. Do not drive your automobile if the engine is making metallic noises. The engine is being damaged.
Increased Hydrocarbons
Finally, as we mentioned above, if the motor oil is not cleaned by the oil filter, it will deposit grime throughout the engine. As this grime burns away, the number of hydrocarbons found in your vehicle’s exhaust will increase. Consequently, your vehicle will fail an emissions test.
Del Hatt Automotive in Poughkeepsie, NY, is here to help, so call us today if you are overdue for an oil change.
