Engine Oil: The Lifeblood of the Automobile

If the engine of your car can be considered the heart, then the engine oil can be considered the lifeblood that flows through the heart. It is one of the most important fluids for your car, especially during the winter months. If you own a vehicle, you should be very acquainted with the oil that goes into it and how to use it to keep your car in good condition. Most people use the rule to change your oil every 3,000 miles, but some types of oil can actually extend the time you need between changes.

Purpose of Oil

Engine oil is the fluid that lubricates the engine by creating a slippery coating on the surfaces that are in contact with each other. This coating keeps the metal parts from creating friction and reduces wear on the engine. As it coats the moving parts, the oil helps to cool off the engine by transferring heat away, a job that is often attributed to coolants. The oil coating also protects the engine from corrosion, dirt, and debris that can clog up the engine and create problems. 

Types of Oil

There are three types of oil on the market: petroleum, synthetic, and blended. Petroleum-based engine oil is made from crude oil that comes from the earth. This crude oil is the same oil that is used in gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides, and plastics. Synthetic oil is made in a laboratory and is best used in older cars with high mileage. Blended oil is oil that is made of both petroleum and synthetic oils. Each of these groups of oils is graded according to its viscosity and purpose. If you live in areas that experience cold winter, you should look for oil that has the letter W in the rating. The grade of multi-grade oil is denoted with a number before the W to denote the viscosity when the weather is cold and a number after the W denotes the viscosity of the oil when the weather is hot. The numbers represent the viscosity, or weight of the oil. Single grade oil is denoted with a number followed by the letter W for winter grades. Your owner’s manual will tell you which oil you should be using. Most of the newer model cars use multi-grade oil and the older cars tend to use a single grade. 

How to Use the Right Type in Winter

Engine oil is very important for the winter months because it will help to keep your car properly lubricated. You should pay close attention to the grade of oil that you get for the winter. You should use the type of oil that is recommended by the car manufacturer. It will be listed in the owner’s manual. If you use multi-grade oil, you will not need to change the weight of the oil because it is already rated for winter use.  If you use a single grade, then you will need to get lighter weight oil so that it will flow easier and quicker to the engine when it is cold. Make sure that the oil is not too thin or it will not provide adequate protection against friction. Excessive friction can cause overheating and the wearing down of the engine parts. If you have any questions or need help with changing your engine oil, you should take your car to ASE master mechanics to make sure that you are getting the right oil in your engine.