Mechanic says you could be making oil change mistake that's accidentally ruining your engine long term

Many engines don’t fail from age, but from an oil change mistake that slowly builds up over time.

It’s the kind of issue most drivers never notice until their car’s performance suddenly drops.

What makes it worse is that this problem can happen during one of the most routine services your car ever gets.

And according to an auto expert, it all comes down to whether your oil is truly doing its job.

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Many drivers don’t quite understand what engine oil does

JustAnswer auto expert Chris Pyle explained that engine damage begins when oil can’t properly protect moving parts.

Inside an engine, components spin at high speeds with constant metal-to-metal contact.

Oil is supposed to create a slick protective layer that reduces friction and carries away heat.

When something interferes with that process, wear starts building fast.

One major risk is contamination.

If dirt enters the engine during an oil change, those particles can circulate through oil passages and components.

The effect is similar to sandpaper grinding against metal surfaces.

Over time, this causes internal wear that can’t be undone.

Oil flow problems are another concern.

If oil passages become restricted or components are damaged during service, oil may not reach every moving part.

Even small interruptions in lubrication can accelerate long-term engine wear.

Incorrect oil levels also create trouble.

Too much oil can cause the crankshaft to whip the oil into foam, filling it with air pockets.

When that happens, the oil pump pushes a mixture of oil and air, which reduces lubrication.

Too little oil brings its own problems, as the pump struggles to supply enough fluid, temperatures rise, and the oil degrades faster.

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This oil change mistake can cost you big

According to Pyle, engine replacement labor alone can range from $1,500 to $4,000.

Replacement engines can cost anywhere from about $1,000 for a small used unit to as much as $16,000 for certain remanufactured options.

By comparison, a proper oil change typically costs between $30 and $150, unless you own something like a Bugatti Veyron.

To avoid problems, you should double-check any oil change work.

Ensure the mechanic uses the correct oil and follows the manufacturer guidelines.

Pyle also recommended car owners not to wait until their vehicle’s oil life hits zero.

Instead, changing it at around 20 percent remaining will add an extra layer of protection, and also prevent your mechanic from yelling at you.

If you don’t know any reliable mechanics, you can consider enlisting the help of Google’s Gemini AI, which is surprisingly good at facilitating an oil change.

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