Engine oil could degrade and lost lubrication due to: wearing, damage from combustion gas, carbon particle (soot), debris from moving parts, etc.. Engine oil and filter should be changed and replaced every period which was 3000mile or 3mons some years ago and is 5000-7500miles nowadays for some vehicles.
Engine may still run if several oil changes missed, but it could be finally totally damaged someday due to moving parts wearing and engine oil lost lubrication if necessary maintenances were missed.
Engine may still run if several oil changes missed, but it could be finally totally damaged someday due to moving parts wearing and engine oil lost lubrication if necessary maintenances were missed.