Drivers told to change one thing to prevent ‘clogged engine’

Motorists have been urged to change one simple thing this June to prevent a “clogged engine" and major damage. Automotive expert Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko, has warned that petrol and diesel motorists should change their oil regularly, perhaps as often as every six months.

The specialists warn that motorists may make a common mistake by only changing their oil when they have reached certain mileage thresholds. This is usually around 5,000 to 7,500 miles, with some road users leaving it as far as 10,000 miles before considering a change. However, Ovoko warns that vehicles driven for just 2,000 miles in stop-and-go traffic will likely need fresh oil.

Kazimieras explained: “What people often don't realise is that modern engines are precision instruments with incredibly tight tolerances. When oil loses its protective properties - which happens over months, not just miles - metal components start grinding against each other in ways they weren't designed to handle. By the time you notice problems like unusual noises or rough idling, the damage is often already done.

“The good news is that this is completely preventable. Cars that get fresh oil every six months, regardless of mileage, consistently outperform those that don't.

"At Ovoko, we see the aftermath when this simple rule gets ignored - and it's always more expensive to fix than it would have been to prevent.”

According to Ovoko, when oil breaks down, it will stop lubricating properly and will begin to form sludge that could risk “clogging” vital engine passages.

They warn that the mileage number on the odometer will tell road users nothing about what the oil has been through and what condition it is in.

Running old oil can increase the friction and wear on key engine components which may lead to serious issues.

This can include overheating, a lower fuel efficiency and later down the line the risk of having a serious engine failure.

This is likely to be a hefty blow to cash-strapped road users with new engines valued anywhere from around £1,500 to roughly £5,000 depending on the make and model.

However, experts warn motorists can usually diagnose an oil-related engine issue ahead of time if they look out for the major red flags.

Kazimieras added: “The engines we see fail before 100,000 miles usually show the same warning signs - oil sludge buildup and premature wear patterns that could have been prevented with consistent oil changes every six months.”