Can the car be driven if immediate oil change and vehicle inspection are required?
1 Answers
No. Below are detailed explanations why the car should not be driven: 1. Engine oil serves multiple functions including lubrication, cooling, cleaning, sealing, and rust prevention. An oil change reminder indicates these properties have degraded after prolonged use. Continued operation with diminished lubrication and cooling capabilities will damage the engine, shorten its lifespan, increase failure risks, and raise maintenance costs. 2. When the oil warning light activates, immediately check the engine compartment to verify if oil is depleted. If so, promptly purchase oil from the nearest auto parts store and temporarily replenish it. Forced operation without proper lubrication will cause engine components to grind against each other, resulting in severe damage. Below are precautions for oil changes: 1. Select appropriate oil viscosity. Different oil grades exhibit distinct characteristics regarding cold-start performance and high-temperature anti-wear/adhesion properties. Oil viscosity inversely correlates with temperature - thicker cold-state oil increases strain on starter motors and batteries during ignition. 2. Carbon buildup occurs as old oil thins over time, allowing increased oil seepage and carbon accumulation that significantly reduces engine power. When switching to new oil, the engine may initially struggle to adapt to the viscosity difference, potentially causing elevated RPMs and consequent noise amplification.