Can You Still Drive When the Oil Change is Due?
2 Answers
You can still drive the vehicle when the oil change is due, but it should be replaced as soon as possible. Here is some relevant information about engine oil: 1. Expired oil is not good for the engine. Oil is a highly water-absorbent substance, and over time, it absorbs moisture from the air, causing the oil to deteriorate and its performance to decline. 2. Oil changes are usually done at a 4S shop or an auto repair shop. A quick oil change can generally be completed in about 10 minutes. The steps for changing the oil typically involve first draining the old oil—either by using a machine to extract it or by letting it flow out naturally, which can be done in just a few minutes. After the old oil is drained, new oil is added. 3. The shelf life of engine oil: For oil poured into an engine that is used occasionally, such as for vehicles that will be left unused for long periods, if the oil was just changed before the vehicle is to be stored, it is recommended to replace the oil after more than 6 months before the next use. If the oil in the vehicle has already been used for a relatively long period, such as having driven half the usual maintenance interval mileage, the storage time should be shortened. It is recommended to replace the oil after more than 3 months before the next use.
Having driven for over a decade, I can truly speak from experience. Not changing the oil on time is like letting your engine run naked! Last time, a colleague of mine pushed it 2,000 kilometers thinking the car was in good condition, and ended up with a seized engine—costing over 8,000 yuan in repairs. Over time, oil thins out, carbon builds up, and lubrication efficiency plummets. Those precision engine parts start grinding like dry gears, and the sound alone is heartbreaking. Driving an extra 30-50 kilometers in a pinch might be okay, but taking it on a long trip or highway? That’s just gambling with safety. Nowadays, I’d rather change the oil a few days early than wait for the warning light. After all, an oil change costs just a few hundred, way better than a full engine overhaul—don’t you agree?
