09/22/2026
THIS ENGINE HAS ONLY 51,000 MILES ON IT.
Take a close look at this photo. What you’re seeing is severe oil sludge and buildup inside an engine that should have had a very long life ahead of it.
The vehicle had an oil change at approximately 20,000 miles. The next oil change wasn’t performed until approximately 51,000 miles—a gap of more than 30,000 miles.
The engine didn’t simply lock up. The buildup became so severe that the engine could no longer properly control its valve timing. At only 51,000 miles, we are now replacing the engine.
This is an extreme example, but it shows why we take oil changes so seriously at Admiral Auto Care.
Here in Northeast Ohio, vehicles deal with cold starts, temperature extremes, short trips, stop-and-go driving, idling, moisture and road conditions that can make life hard on an engine.
Our recommendation: change your engine oil and filter every 5,000 miles.
Even if your vehicle’s oil-life monitor or manufacturer allows a longer interval, we believe 5,000-mile service intervals are inexpensive insurance compared with the cost of repairing sludge-related timing problems—or replacing an engine.
Oil changes are cheap.
Engines aren’t.
Admiral Auto Care
Take care of your vehicle now so it can take care of you later.
