A mode that destroys whole engine. Never buy this car
Mechanics and oil production companies have no doubt about the causes of many breakdowns that occur in modern engines. According to specialists, most so-called defects are the result of improper servicing, which, however, is in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations. The problem is the so-called long life mode, which is harmful to engines.
10:47 AM EDT, October 14, 2023
Is the oil change not recommended?
In modern cars, changing the oil every 18,640 miles has become almost the norm, a practice that has been in place for many years. This is an extension 2 or 3 times the mileage for oil compared to the recommendations that were known in the 90s. This approach has a positive impact on the environment since less oil is consumed during its exploitation. Additionally, it affects the service costs, as reviews are performed less frequently, which is beneficial at least during the warranty period.
Unfortunately, such an approach can only have a negative effect on the durability of the engine and its mechanisms. Worse, today's drivers, who believe in the good quality of engine manufacturing, virtually never check the oil level, which was once the norm.
A study conducted by Castrol revealed that only 41 percent of car owners in Poland check their engine oil level at least once a month. Negligence of this kind leads to minor damages, which over time turn into costly malfunctions.
It's also worth paying attention to the practically complete lack of manufacturer's recommendations regarding changing the oil in gearboxes. This also has a huge impact on the durability of mechanisms, especially bearings.
Tarek Hamed, Marketing Manager at Castrol, emphasizes that engine oil should be changed more often than the manufacturer recommends. Both in older and modern car models, it's necessary to regularly check its level and replenish it as needed.
Marta Ciesielska, head of the service network department, responsible for the Q Service Castrol project, adds that sometimes, due to the specific style of vehicle use or external factors, oil changes are recommended more frequently. We do not have to choose the brand suggested by our car's manufacturer, but it is important to decide on a product that is consistent with the quality parameters contained in the manual.
What can break down due to old oil?
Contrary to appearances, the risk of engine seizure due to infrequently changed oil is not as great as it might seem. Indeed, problems with dCi, THP or TSI units were partly due to this fact, but here, design flaws came into play. In this case, we can talk about a slow wear of mechanisms and a high risk of metal shavings entering the lubrication system.
In today's world, many modern engines face various issues. Most of these are tied to overly long intervals between successive oil changes. Those areas linked to timing drive executed by a chain are particularly vulnerable to premature wear and costly repairs. Automotive experts recommend changing oil more frequently in designs where there is a risk of tensioner malfunction. This, in turn, leads to chain rattling and stretching.
Old oil can also cause problems with properly lubricating often-used turbochargers. Moreover, it can contribute to the accumulation of soot, which results in contamination of the engine, exhaust system, or delicate EGR valve. In engines that cooperate with the solid particle exhaust cleaning system (DPF/GPF), oil degradation happens even faster. This is caused by the mixing of oil with fuel. Such oil not only loses its lubricating properties but also increases in quantity.
One of the components that is subject to premature wear is the variable timing wheel (or several of such wheels, depending on the type of engine). The cost of such a part can range from $105 to even over $263.
Adam Lehnort of ProfiAuto openly advises against buying a used car whose service history suggests that the oil change was carried out in a long life mode. - Oils of this type have more enhancing additives and they are more durable, but they will never withstand long-term use in difficult conditions - he adds.
How often should we change the oil in the engine?
It turns out that old recommendations of changing the oil every 6,213 miles and no less frequently than every 9,320 miles are still current. Observing the work of workshops dealing with the "mysterious" problems of modern engines, one can notice a certain regularity. At the end of the problem-solving process, the cause is usually a problem of changing the oil too infrequently. This particularly applies to units with a timing chain.
