Ignoring Engine Sludge Symptoms Can Be Costly

For many young adults, getting a license to drive is more than a modern rite of passage. It means independence, freedom, and elevated status among friends. While that attitude is completely normal, most teenagers do not consider routine vehicle maintenance nearly as exciting. No matter how impressive a car may look from the outside, engine sludge symptoms can be an indication of future problems.

Admonishing new drivers to change the oil every three thousand miles has become standard practice, even though it is not really necessary. The chemistry of oil as well as engines themselves have changed radically since the era when that advice actually mattered. Many newer vehicles can easily travel ten thousand miles before the lubricant becomes sub-par, but that particular number should never be taken literally.

When normal vehicle operations include jackrabbit starts and stops, extended idle times, consistently poor road conditions, trips under one mile, and predominantly cold weather conditions, lubricants begin lose their consistency faster. This means that the frequency of oil changes should be based on personal driving habits and geographical location, not an arbitrary number. Longer intervals encourage sludge buildup.

Oil begins to break down immediately after being installed. Synthetic varieties combat this process most effectively, but even the longest-lasting must undergo periodic filtration. The main culprit is a process called oxidation, which speeds up during difficult driving conditions or high heat. The result is a gelatinous goo that contains solids, liquids, and gases, as well as burnt carbon residuals and metal particulates.

When this continues over extended periods due to neglect or environmental stresses, the gooey, gel-like substance can spread. Much like human arteries that become blocked with cholesterol, mechanical parts no longer operate efficiently. Baked on deposits eventually begin to strangle narrow passageways, and performance begins to suffer noticeably. Instead of lubricating, the oil causes overheating, and eventual damage.

No one wants to see warning lights on the dashboard. Regular oil changes and related routine maintenance may not always be convenient, but remain the best way to prevent trouble related to lubrication. The cost of replacing the engine is far higher, and is time-consuming as well. In some cases, however, cars develop internal sludge even when maintenance suggestions are followed precisely.

This perplexing problem has dogged several major auto-makers, and is not unique to a particular brand. Publicized legal actions unearthed no generalized issues within the industry, but rather revealed that some specific models and makes use more oil due to design quirks. While this issue is not on the same level of importance as recent widespread safety recalls, it can pose a significant problem for people buying used cars.

Before buying a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic for signs of previous engine flushing. Be sure to check the maintenance records closely, and avoid vehicles that have been neglected. When considering a new car or truck, using synthetic lubricant blends may prevent buildup, especially when daily use includes cold weather or stop-and-go driving. Sludge buildup is not inevitable, and need not ruin a car.