A DRIVER has learned the dangers of getting cheap oil changes after the hood of her brand-new Toyota erupted with billowing smoke.
The dangerous issue was uncovered by a mechanic who warned drivers to think twice before choosing an affordable chain.
A technician left the oil cap off, and he had to rinse off the residue[/caption]
The TikToker (@menjicar) shared a video of the Toyota’s interior and showed how it landed a spot in his shop, despite only having 19,000 miles.
Oil had spilled all over the hood’s interior after the cap fell off – even splashing on the new car’s most expensive parts.
The TikToker showed how the car’s vibrating engine caused oil to splatter the entire engine bay and warned, “It gets worse when you rev up the car.”
After a brief search, he spotted the cap hiding on the left side under the hood and surmised that an oil technician simply forgot to put it back on.
“I’m hoping this didn’t damage anything because you can see the oil is all over the place,” he said.
“It’s even on the ABC module, which is very expensive.”
The mechanic believes the driver went for a fast oil change but wouldn’t reveal which brand he expected would make the idiotic mistake.
Luckily after screwing the cap back on and spraying the interior with water, the car looked as good as new.
“Look how good it looks. It’s like nobody’s used it,” he said.
TikTok users were horrified by the video, which amassed over 100,000 views, and had some ideas where the driver got her oil change.
One viewer said he’s heard of “so many mistakes from the cheap fast places.”
Another wrote, “Say the name, brother. I don’t want my Toyota ending up like that.”
A third driver said the same issue happened to him in the past, and that his engine died five years later.
Other TikTok users questioned why the mechanic sprayed water under the hood as they thought it would ruin the engine.
However, the expert noted that engines get wet every time you drive in the rain and advised spraying underneath when the engine is hot so the water will evaporate quickly.
OIL CHANGE TIPS
Several factors should be considered before getting an oil change, including the age of your car, what oil you should use, and the driving conditions you normally operate in.
Generally, it’s good to get a change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
For older cars, experts advise getting a change about every 3,000 miles.
And newer cars which have engines that use full synthetic oil can go as far as 15,000 miles in between services, according to AAA.
The oil change drama comes after several drivers slammed one brand for leaving them with smoky engines and $6,000 in repairs.
How often should you change your oil?
Experts say the exact figure depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Age of vehicle. Older vehicles tend to need oil changes sooner than newer cars, as the engine oil used doesn’t last as long as newer oil. Plus, the clearances between moving parts tend to be wider than when the engine was new.
- Type of oil. Synthetic oil tends to last a lot longer between changes compared to synthetic or a synthetic blend.
- Driving conditions. People who live in dusty areas or regions with extreme weather conditions that require a lot of driving or stop-and-go traffic should change their oil sooner than normal to keep moving parts lubricated.
- Cars that bear heavy loads, like regularly towing a trailer, as it puts strain on an engine.
Typically, older cars should have their oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. More modern cars can go between 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes, especially as modern oil contains more efficient lubricants and additives. Some cars that use synthetic oil only need changes every 15,000 miles.
It’s important to read your owner’s manual to determine the exact weight and interval your car needs.
Source: AAA
