changing oil in car?

Question

I change my oil every 3000 miles. I don't go over by one mile. Well my bros car broke down and he had to go pick up his son in another state and i told him that he could take my car. the only condtion was that when he got there to have the oil changed because by time he got there, the car would need it. He came back today and not only did he not change the oil, but the oil light was on the whole time he came back. do you think him driving it over 600 miles with the light on did some damage?

Answer 1

Brother or not I would tell Mr. Responsible next time to go & rent a vehicle. That kind of lack of respect is unbelievable.

Take the vehicle to a mechanic & ask him/her install a mechanical oil gauge check the oil pressure. May be just the sender has failed. If he has driven the vehicle for a long distance with little oil pressure, you would definitely hear if the engine has issues.

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PS
Driving a couple hundred miles past the schedueled service will not affect the engine's life.

Answer 2

You said "oil light" but didn't mention if it was the "low oil" or "low oil pressure" light or just a yellow reminder light that you've reached 3000 miles. Changing your oil every 3000 miles is great but if you went an extra 600 miles that's nothing. Most newer cars should be able to go up to 5000 miles between oil changes if it's mostly highway driving. When you have the oil changed ask the mechanic to take a look at the spent oil and make sure it looks normal and there's no excess residue. I think your car will be fine.

Answer 3

It is always good to keep your oil changed regularly. You should use a good quality oil. Using a good oil going over the recomended miles should not hurt it. If it is a older car you should keep a check on the oil level. Going further than the amount of miles you usually drive could be hard on the motor. He should have checked the oil along the way. He should have added some if it needed some. If the oil light was on he should have checked the oil level. Go ahead and change the oil and use good oil. You mat want to use a oil treatment. Depending on where you live you may need to use a thicker oil. Some oils are made for cars for higher mileage cars. You may want to use this. You may have a older car that has been serviced regular so it should be ok. You may want to rethink on who you let use your car. Some people don't care if it is not their car.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, going slightly over 3000 miles per oil change isn't going to harm anything. In fact, due to filter and oil technology, some manufacturers recommend every 5000 miles.

However, the oil light situation is slightly different. Most of the time the oil light comes on when oil pressure is low meaning oil needs to be added to the engine. Running the engine low on oil may cause premature wear on the engine. Depending on the year and make of your car, some cars will illuminate the oil light when it is time for an oil change.

Answer 5

Well was the light the 'change oil' light or 'oil low' light.

The change oil light is just a reminder.. prob. no big deal since you sound like you are doing a great job.

Low Oil is another thing.. 6,000 miles with a quart low is not good .. it wears things out.

BTW.. 3000 is a nice number but consider that bi monthly, regardless of the mileage, is a better one. If you go over 3000 in that period, change the oil and re-set the counter.

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Answer 6

those engineers have a boatload of e book discovering and no useful adventure. The oil itself does not ruin down however the ingredients do and between the jobs of oil is to assemble the contaminants from combustion and condensation and shop it in suspension so it does not abrade or corrode the metals that should ideally be rubbing against one yet another. It was once that we replaced oil each 2000 miles yet oil is getting greater advantageous each and all of the time. ok, this is not the oil it is getting greater advantageous however the ingredients. we are making use of the comparable oil now as then, yet with greater advantageous ingredients. That mixed with greater advantageous metallurgy ability that we are in a position to pass greater between oil adjustments now. 3000 to 5000 miles reckoning on the type of provider you're submitting your vehicle to. and alter the clear out. don't be cheep in this one. changing your oil is cheep while in comparison with changing your engine, or procuring a clean vehicle.

Answer 7

600 miles wouldn't make the light come on. Is it topped up?? If so I would get to a mechanic ASAP. DON'T LOAN IT TO YOUR BROTHER AGAIN!

BTW 3000 miles or 3 months is good for oil changes.

Read Mr T below.

Answer 8

If by the "oil light" you mean the "change oil soon" indicator, no, he did no damage. If you mean the RED "oil pressure low" indicator, I don't think he would have driven 600 miles before the engine siezed. Go ahead and change the oil, but don't lose any sleep over it. Good luck.

Answer 9

Impossible to tell without photos, etc. If the oil light was on, that's a big cause of concern. I'd take it to a trusted mechanic and have them do a full inspection BEFORE doing the oil change. Then have your brother pay any associated costs -- it's the least he can do.

Answer 10

no it shouldnt but when you get it changed ask your mechanic to reset your oil light it should be fine