What Happens to Oil When Your Car Sits Too Long?
Motor oil is a vehicle engine's life force. But what happens when the car simply sits? Does oil go bad just sitting in your engine? In a nutshell, yes, and some of the reasons may surprise you.
Moisture, temperature swings, and the collection of contaminants, among other factors, can cause negative effects on your oil without any visible warning – until it's too late, leading to expensive damage to your motor.
Regardless, here’s what every motorist needs to know about how oil goes bad, and how to prevent it in your engine.
How Oil Goes Bad
The oil in your engine is not going to be able to hover in limbo forever, hanging out in perfect shape even when your car is parked and unused. Here's why:
1. Moisture in the Engine
If your vehicle is idle and is either parked outside, or in a humid environment, chances are good that moisture has entered the engine when sitting idle. Water vapor collects in the crankcase. The vapor combines with oil additives and oxygen to create acids. These acids can wear on the internal motor parts and destroy the oil's protective properties.
2. Temperature Variations
Temperature fluctuations can make oil deterioration even worse. If a vehicle is left until it has deteriorated, the engine is not going to heat up enough to dissipate condensation or eliminate light surface contaminants (dust, dirt, etc.). And as time literally passes, these particles build up with the oil and lead to the oil's inadequate lubrication and protection to its inside parts.
3. Buildup of Contaminants
If the oil sits idle for months, dust, dirt, and other gunk canAdditives meant to protect the engine, detergents and dispersants lose their protection over time, allowing sludge and sticky build-up, all of which will require work to clean.
4. Oxidation
Oxidation is a chemical process that oil goes through upon exposure to air; this can occur even in its engine, which is intended as a closed system. Oxidation creates oil that is thicker, less flexible and reduces its flow through the engine.
What Will Happen If You Don't Change the Oil?
If the degradation of the motor oil is not controlled it could cause some serious problems for your car. Here are some are the most obvious items that are at risk:
1. Sludge
Oil that is left sitting for long periods can separate into its base components into sludge. Sludge is very thick and clogs oil passages and restricts lubrication almost to the point of destroying the engine.
2. Corrosion of Engine Components
Condensation can create an acid which can corrode some of the internal metal surfaces of your engine, including bearings and cylinders. If condensing acids remains, it can corrode internal components leading to costly repairs and/or replacements.
3. Lubrication and Efficiency
Old oil has lost its viscosity meaning it can no longer provide a sufficient protective layer between the engine's moving parts. When the oil loses its lubricating function and the moving components of the engine come into contact with each other, that wear and tear will reduce the lifespan of the engine and its efficiency.
4. Fuel Consumption
Degraded oil can force an engine to work harder or not nearly as efficiently to create the same power.
This added strain not only adversely impacts engine performance, but also directly adds to fuel consumption, costing you money out of your pocket.
Practical Tips to Protect Your Engine and Its Oil
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a mechanic to prevent oil degradation in an inactive vehicle. Here’s what you can do:
1. Change Your Oil Regularly
Most automotive manufacturers recommend oil changes every 6 to 12 months - regardless of mileage. Even if your car barely gets driven, oil continues to age, and it is important to follow an age-based oil change schedule.
2. Use Synthetic Oil
For vehicles that don’t get driven regularly or stored for a longer length of time, using synthetic oil is your best option. Synthetic oil possesses advanced chemical stability and will resist oxidation and breakdown far longer than conventional oil.
3. Start Your Vehicle Occasionally
Starting your car every couple of weeks helps circulate the oil, burn off condensation and keep your engine in good working order. When starting, allow your engine to reach and maintain its regular operating temperature.
4. Consider Using an Oil Stabilizer
Oil stabilizers can prolong the life of your motor oil, especially in cars that don’t get driven regularly. These add-ins offer protection against oxidation and help your oil maintain its viscosity.
5. Store Your Vehicle Well
If you know you will store your vehicle for an extended period, be sure to use a cool and dry garage to minimize temperature and moisture changes. Change the oil before storing it, and in the spring when you are going to use the vehicle again, simply change the oil again.
The Importance of Regular Oil Changes
While it may seem like smart use of your time to ignore oil changes, you take a significant risk for your engine’s longevity. Old, degraded oil can be detrimental to an engine and cost you more than you would like to deal with – including engine flushes, sludge removal, or even a new engine.
Consider oil maintenance to be a cheap insurance premium for your car. A price tag for an oil change is minimal compared to an extended life of damage caused by your negligence. Staying on top of oil changes and following the tips outlined above will help you to avoid expensive and stressful headaches in the future.
In Closing
Yes, oil can go bad just sitting in your engine. Exposure to condensation, oxidation and sediment accumulation degrades oil, even if your car hasn’t moved an inch. Taking care of your car, by following the obvious recommendations, including regular maintenance, routine oil changes, using synthetic oil and applying proper storage, is your key to avoiding engine damage and costly repairs.
Treat oil changes as a priority instead of an afterthought so that when you need your vehicle in the future, it is reliable and ready.
