How Far Can You Drive After an Oil Change Reminder?

[VanTaylor]

After receiving an oil change reminder, the car can still be driven, but the distance should not be too long. Composition of Engine Oil: Engine oil consists of two parts: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of lubricating oil, determining its basic properties, while additives compensate for and improve the shortcomings of the base oil, giving it new properties. Engine oil is an essential component of a car. The engine is the heart of a car, containing many metal parts that move against each other at high speeds, in harsh environments, and at high temperatures. Function of Engine Oil: Engine oil, also known as motor lubricant, has a density of approximately 0.91×103 (kg/m3). It lubricates and reduces friction, assists in cooling, seals against leaks, prevents rust and corrosion, and dampens vibrations. It is often referred to as the 'blood' of a car. Types of Engine Oil: Gasoline engine oils are divided into mineral oils and synthetic oils, with synthetic oils further categorized into semi-synthetic and full-synthetic oils.

[DePeter]

This is a very practical issue, and my car often has this light on too. The oil life monitoring system is reminding you to change the oil, indicating that the oil performance is starting to degrade. Conservatively, it's recommended not to drive more than 800 kilometers, especially if you frequently drive on highways. Last week, my neighbor pushed it to 1,200 kilometers, and the engine ended up seizing, costing over 8,000 yuan to repair. It's best to get maintenance done as soon as possible and also check the condition of the filter. After all, fresh oil is crucial for engine protection. If you often encounter heavy traffic or drive on mountain roads, you should further reduce this mileage by 30% to be safe.

[AngelinaFitz]

I've learned my lesson the hard way before! Now I make sure to get maintenance within three days of the warning light coming on. The engine relies entirely on oil for lubrication. Expired oil is like ineffective blood - when its viscosity drops, you can hear the piston rings squeaking from wear. On regular city roads, you can push it for at most 500 kilometers. With full synthetic oil, you might make it to 800 kilometers. Always check the oil dipstick marks - if it's below the minimum line, don't even drive 100 kilometers. Once on the highway when the oil warning came on, I immediately slowed to 60 km/h just to make it to the service area.

[DePaisley]

It really depends on the specific condition of the car. My old Buick once ran for 300 kilometers maximum after the warning light came on. Newer cars with more precise electronic systems might last a bit longer. But never exceed 1,000 kilometers, otherwise the friction coefficient between piston rings and cylinder walls can triple, leading to costly repairs. By the way, persistently driving like this will cause carbon deposits to skyrocket and increase fuel consumption by about 2 liters per 100 kilometers. So it's better to change the oil as soon as possible - maintenance costs are much cheaper than engine repairs anyway.