2019 Mitsubishi Mirage: Oil Change

 

*** 
Relevant Material: "

Global and regional statistics

  • United States: The NHTSA estimates that over 4,800 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for jack or jack stand failures.
  • United States: A 1994-1995 analysis of NHTSA data showed that an estimated 4,822 people were injured, with hands, wrists, and fingers being the most severely injured body parts.
  • Australia: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reports that more than 160 people are injured each year while using car jacks.
  • Canada: Transport Canada does not provide specific jack stand statistics but reports on overall vehicle traffic collision statistics...: "(Google) 
*** 

Relevant Material: "Auto vandalism statistics and reporting challenges

Most official crime reporting, such as the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program in the US, does not break down motor vehicle crimes into "vandalism". Data is typically lumped into "motor vehicle theft" or the broader "property crime" category. This is due to several factors: 
  • Low reporting: Many cases of minor vandalism, such as a scratched door or broken antenna, are not reported to the police or are treated as an insurance claim rather than a crime requiring an investigation.
  • Variable definitions: The definition of vandalism can vary between jurisdictions and countries, making a global comparison of data difficult.
  • Organized crime vs. petty crime: While organized crime drives a lot of car theft, vandalism is often committed by individuals and seen as a lesser crime. 
Related global motor vehicle theft data
While not a direct measure of vandalism, global data on motor vehicle theft gives a sense of broader vehicle-related crime trends.
Interpol
  • In 2023, around 226,000 vehicles were identified as stolen through Interpol's Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database, which is shared by law enforcement across member countries.
  • The agency notes that car theft has become a major revenue source for organized crime and a form of "international criminal currency".
  • Since Canada integrated its police database with Interpol in February 2024, more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles have been identified globally. 
United States
  • After a peak in 2022, motor vehicle thefts have declined in the United States, according to FBI data. The number of incidents per 100,000 people fell from 283.5 in 2022 to 249.7 in 2023.
  • However, the 2023 rate remains higher than the 2019 rate of 199.4 per 100,000 people. 
Canada
  • Canada experienced a national auto theft crisis in recent years, with insurance claims for theft costing over $1.5 billion in 2023.
  • Organized crime groups often steal high-value SUVs and crossovers for export to the Middle East and Africa.
  • In 2025, a combination of collective efforts and increased police action has resulted in a decline in auto theft across the country..." (Google) 
*** 
Relevant Material: "Engine failure from a lack of clean oil is caused by friction that wears down or overheats critical components until they seize. While global statistics on seized engines are not available, data indicates that poor lubrication is a major cause of engine failure. Some studies have found that inadequate or delayed oil maintenance leads to the majority of engine problems. 
How a lack of clean oil causes an engine to seize
Over time, engine oil breaks down and collects contaminants like dirt, dust, and metal particles. Without a timely oil change and filter replacement, this old, dirty oil loses its lubricating properties. The resulting problems can lead to a complete engine seizure. 
  • Increased friction: Oil forms a protective film between moving metal parts to prevent them from grinding against each other. As oil degrades, this film breaks down, leading to increased friction and accelerated wear on parts like pistons, bearings, and the crankshaft.
  • Overheating: Engine oil also helps to dissipate heat. When poor lubrication increases friction, it also increases heat, which can cause components to warp or seize.
  • Sludge buildup: When oil is neglected, it can form a thick, gel-like substance called sludge. This sludge can clog oil passages, starving critical engine parts of the lubrication they need.
  • Oil starvation: A low oil level is a common precursor to engine failure and can happen due to a leak, burning oil, or neglected maintenance. When there is not enough oil, the pump cannot circulate it properly, leading to oil starvation. 
Global statistics on engine failure from poor lubrication 
Though there is no global clearinghouse for statistics on seized engines, multiple sources highlight poor lubrication as a leading cause of catastrophic engine failure. 
  • According to a 2022 AAA report cited by a UK auto publication, over 4 million drivers per year experience major engine damage due to poor oil maintenance.
  • One vehicle repair service noted that 62% of engine failures are directly linked to poor or delayed oil maintenance.
  • The U.S. Car Care Council found in a survey that 38% of vehicles had low or dirty engine oil.
  • A Zambian vehicle repair shop observed that most engine problems they encounter are due to poor oil maintenance or low-quality oil" (Google) 
*** 
Relevant Material: "While exact statistics on seized engines specifically due to neglected oil filters are not compiled, the link is clear: neglecting the filter is a primary cause of engine damage and failure. Driving with a clogged oil filter can cause catastrophic engine failure and force a costly replacement, which typically costs $3,000–$10,000+ in Canada. 
How a neglected oil filter leads to engine failure
When an oil filter is not changed, it accumulates contaminants and becomes clogged over time, leading to a cascade of problems that can cause a seized engine: 
  • Contaminants enter the engine. Once the filter is completely blocked, the oil bypass valve opens to ensure some oil reaches the engine. However, this unfiltered oil, full of dirt and abrasive metal particles, circulates freely and causes serious internal wear.
  • Increased friction and heat. The contaminants in the unfiltered oil prevent proper lubrication, causing increased friction between critical engine parts, such as pistons, bearings, and cylinder walls. This generates excessive heat and can lead to overheating.
  • Metal-on-metal contact. Without the proper lubricating film of oil, the friction becomes so intense that metal parts begin to grind against each other.
  • Engine seizure. As the internal components overheat and expand, they fuse or jam together, causing the engine to abruptly stop running. This is known as a seized engine and is a serious form of engine failure. 
Symptoms of a clogged oil filter
To avoid costly damage, pay attention to these warning signs: 
  • Low oil pressure: A clogged filter restricts oil flow, causing a drop in oil pressure. The oil pressure warning light on your dashboard may illuminate.
  • Engine overheating: Reduced oil circulation from a clogged filter can cause the engine's operating temperature to rise.
  • Unusual engine noises: You may hear knocking, rattling, or grinding sounds, which are signs of increased friction and metal-on-metal contact.
  • Reduced performance: The engine may feel sluggish, and you may experience poor acceleration and decreased fuel efficiency. 
The high cost of neglect
While the cost of a new oil filter is minimal, the consequences of skipping this basic maintenance can be severe. In Canada, engine replacement costs can vary widely depending on the vehicle, and a used or rebuilt engine can run into thousands of dollars: 
  • Used engine replacement: $3,000–$5,000
  • Rebuilt engine replacement: $4,000–$7,000
  • New engine replacement: $6,000–$10,000 or more 
These costs include parts and labour, which can add up quickly. If an engine is seized due to neglect, it is almost always more cost-effective to replace the engine than to attempt a repair"  (Google) 
*** 

Relevant Insurance Coverage: 
a. Auto Insurance:: all perils, collision, liability, DCPD,, accident benefits, uninsured auto 
b. Travel & health - Collision Waiver for Rental Vehicles
c. Garage Auto Insurance
d. Personal and Commercial Liability for injury and property damage
e. Business Liability Coverage like that of a dealership, auto sales business, mechanic, roadside assistance business, taxi drivers, uber driver, rideshare drivers, delivery driver..

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage: Windshield Wipers

Image
  ****  Relevant Material :   “ In Canada, environmental factors such as adverse weather contributed to 18–20% of all fatal vehicle accidents in a recent year, according to Transport Canada. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that about 21% of all accidents in the United States are weather-related. The European Automotive Insurers Association found that poor visibility is a factor in approximately 20% of all car accidents. An Australian driver training organization noted that poor visibility can increase the risk of a crash by 30% or more . Studies have shown that collision risk can increase by 50 to 100% during precipitation.   The link between malfunctioning wipers and accidents   Poor visibility is a major factor in weather-related accidents, and malfunctioning wiper systems are a major cause of impaired visibility. This can happen in several ways:   Worn-out blades:  Blades that streak, smear, or miss sections of the windsh...
Read more

Auto Inspection: 2013 Honda Civic LX

Image
  ***  Relevant background: “ A primary benefit of this is that OBD systems give the vehicle owner or repair technician access to the status of the various vehicle sub-systems. The amount of diagnostic information available  … A range of rugged hand-held scan tools is available. Simple fault code readers/reset tools are mostly aimed at the consumer level. Professional hand-held scan tools may possess more advanced functions Access more advanced diagnostics Set manufacturer- or vehicle-specific ECU parameters Access and control other control units, such as air bag or ABS Real-time monitoring or graphing of engine parameters to facilitate diagnosis or tuning… OBD II information is commonly used by vehicle telematics devices that perform fleet tracking, monitor fuel efficiency, prevent unsafe driving, as well as for remote diagnostics and by Pay-As-You-Drive insurance.…” ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics ) *** Relevant Background: “ A  pre-purchase ...
Read more