A vehicle runs more smoothly and safely with regular maintenance, which is a worthwhile investment. It also prevents expensive repairs that could eventually need to be made. One of the cheapest yet most crucial preventative maintenance procedures for a car is changing car oil.
By distributing heat and keeping the combustion chamber at the right temperature, engine oil helps the engine run smoothly, prevents carbon buildup, and improves cruising power. It’s crucial to use the proper lubricant for your car to get improved engine performance. Although there are various different types of car engine oil, it might be difficult to select the best one for your particular vehicle.
How to choose the right engine oil for your car? Here’s what you need to take care of:
- The viscosity of Oil:
Viscosity is a metric for determining the thickness and flow resistance of oil. It must be suited to the surrounding temperatures because when the engine is cold, thick oil doesn’t agitate the engine, and when the engine is hot, thin oil doesn’t shield engine parts.
The ideal viscous lubricant reduces friction between components and increases energy efficiency. In addition, lower-viscosity lubricants offer less resistance to moving parts and ensure a smooth engine start even when the engine is cold.
Although less effective at low temperatures, viscosity modifiers are used to increase oil viscosity at high temperatures. By consulting the manufacturer’s car maintenance manual, you can quickly determine the ideal oil viscosity for your car’s engine.
- Look for certifications and lubricant numbers:
The viscosity of multigrade lubricants, which often have two grade numbers, decreases in high and low temperatures while also maintaining engine performance.
The first number on a multigrade oil, “W” (which stands for “winter”), shows the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures, and the second number is the viscosity of the lubricant at high temperatures.
Quality engine oils have certificates that attest to their compliance with all testing and content requirements set forth by organisations like API (American Petroleum Institute).
Which is better, mineral oil or synthetic oil? Synthetic lubricants are produced by intricate chemical procedures, whereas mineral oils are processed crude oils. In comparison to normal oils, synthetic oils are less volatile and more refined. As a result, it enhances cold starting and fuel efficiency while giving engine parts extra protection.
- Use oil additives:
They give the base engine lubricant additional protection and prolong its effectiveness. Oil additives come in various forms, including dispersants, detergents, antioxidants, friction modifiers, anti-wear additives, and anti-rust additives.
- Change it frequently:
It’s crucial to change the lubricant frequently, every 1,000 miles or twice a year, for better and longer engine life. Since they typically operate in challenging driving circumstances, cars require more frequent replacement.
Should you Replace Engine Oil if driving Car for Less Kms?
People who don’t use their cars very often frequently postpone changing the engine oil. Given how seldom they drive their cars, they think regular oil changes are optional. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. Even engine oils, like other consumables, have a shelf life, particularly after being poured into the oil sump of your car. This is because viscosity molecules are present in engine oil.
Even if the car is not driven frequently, these molecules have a tendency to fragment over time, which results in the oil losing viscosity. Increased usage-related wear and tear and greater maintenance costs result from this. Therefore, regardless matter how often you drive your automobile, it is important to follow the owner’s handbook and change the oil at the recommended interval.
