Passing a driving test has become a rite of passage for young adults, who often see only the excitement, independence and increased peer status of having personal transportation. At that point in life the boring, mundane details of vehicle maintenance may seem unimportant, until neglect results in expensive and time-consuming repairs. Engine sludge symptoms are a warning sign that trouble may be brewing.
Admonishing new drivers to change the oil every three thousand miles has become standard practice, even though it is not really necessary. The chemistry of oil as well as engines themselves have changed radically since the era when that advice actually mattered. Many newer vehicles can easily travel ten thousand miles before the lubricant becomes sub-par, but that particular number should never be taken literally.
Oil loses the ability to lubricate properly when vehicle operation includes predominately short trips, quick starts and stops, long idles, cold weather operation, and road conditions that are not optimal. In other words, the life of an oil change depends on individual driving habits and location. Longer than advisable periods between changes allow the oil to grow progressively dirty, and sludge may begin to build.
Oil begins to break down immediately after being installed. Synthetic varieties combat this process most effectively, but even the longest-lasting must undergo periodic filtration. The main culprit is a process called oxidation, which speeds up during difficult driving conditions or high heat. The result is a gelatinous goo that contains solids, liquids, and gases, as well as burnt carbon residuals and metal particulates.
If harsh conditions or neglect continue unabated, the gel-like substance eventually coats most moving parts. Similar to cholesterol-clogged human arteries, certain areas begin to function poorly. The baked-on materials continue to accumulate over time, eventually strangling or closing close passages and tolerances, causing performance to degrade noticeably. Rather than helping lubricate, the oil is actually causing damage.
No one wants to see the oil warning light come on. The best way to prevent this is through regular maintenance and oil changes, because the cost of replacing an entire engine is a far more expensive and traumatic option. Surprisingly, some vehicles tend to develop internal sludge even when suggested maintenance schedules are followed accurately and precisely, and when driving conditions are optimal.
This perplexing problem has plagued many auto makers, and has resulted in publicized legal action. The resulting investigations revealed no smoking industry gun, but instead pointed to individual design issues that affect only certain makes and models. Although this problem pales in comparison to recent safety issues that have sparked massive recalls, it can create real problems for people in the market for a used vehicle.
Before buying a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic for signs of previous engine flushing. Be sure to check the maintenance records closely, and avoid vehicles that have been neglected. When considering a new car or truck, using synthetic lubricant blends may prevent buildup, especially when daily use includes cold weather or stop-and-go driving. Sludge buildup is not inevitable, and need not ruin a car.
Admonishing new drivers to change the oil every three thousand miles has become standard practice, even though it is not really necessary. The chemistry of oil as well as engines themselves have changed radically since the era when that advice actually mattered. Many newer vehicles can easily travel ten thousand miles before the lubricant becomes sub-par, but that particular number should never be taken literally.
Oil loses the ability to lubricate properly when vehicle operation includes predominately short trips, quick starts and stops, long idles, cold weather operation, and road conditions that are not optimal. In other words, the life of an oil change depends on individual driving habits and location. Longer than advisable periods between changes allow the oil to grow progressively dirty, and sludge may begin to build.
Oil begins to break down immediately after being installed. Synthetic varieties combat this process most effectively, but even the longest-lasting must undergo periodic filtration. The main culprit is a process called oxidation, which speeds up during difficult driving conditions or high heat. The result is a gelatinous goo that contains solids, liquids, and gases, as well as burnt carbon residuals and metal particulates.
If harsh conditions or neglect continue unabated, the gel-like substance eventually coats most moving parts. Similar to cholesterol-clogged human arteries, certain areas begin to function poorly. The baked-on materials continue to accumulate over time, eventually strangling or closing close passages and tolerances, causing performance to degrade noticeably. Rather than helping lubricate, the oil is actually causing damage.
No one wants to see the oil warning light come on. The best way to prevent this is through regular maintenance and oil changes, because the cost of replacing an entire engine is a far more expensive and traumatic option. Surprisingly, some vehicles tend to develop internal sludge even when suggested maintenance schedules are followed accurately and precisely, and when driving conditions are optimal.
This perplexing problem has plagued many auto makers, and has resulted in publicized legal action. The resulting investigations revealed no smoking industry gun, but instead pointed to individual design issues that affect only certain makes and models. Although this problem pales in comparison to recent safety issues that have sparked massive recalls, it can create real problems for people in the market for a used vehicle.
Before buying a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic for signs of previous engine flushing. Be sure to check the maintenance records closely, and avoid vehicles that have been neglected. When considering a new car or truck, using synthetic lubricant blends may prevent buildup, especially when daily use includes cold weather or stop-and-go driving. Sludge buildup is not inevitable, and need not ruin a car.
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