Posted on 9/26/2025

Many drivers have pushed an oil change past its due date once or twice. Life gets busy, and sometimes routine maintenance slips through the cracks. But if your check engine light suddenly appears, you might be wondering if there’s a connection. Delaying oil changes can absolutely trigger the check engine light. What starts as a minor oversight can lead to serious consequences for your engine if ignored for too long. How Engine Oil Protects Your Vehicle Engine oil has one of the most important jobs under the hood. It lubricates the engine’s moving parts, reduces friction, absorbs heat, and traps dirt and debris. Clean, fresh oil keeps everything running smoothly and prevents parts from grinding together. Over time, oil breaks down and collects contaminants. It becomes thick, dirty, and less effective at protecting your engine. When that happens, internal wear increases ... read more