Why The Right Motor Oil Is Important
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011When it comes to putting oil in your car, there are a lot of choices stacking the shelves of auto stores. So if your car needs a top-up or a complete oil change, it pays to remember that not all oils are the same and what works well in your car may not necessarily be right for another. If you get a car service in Sydney, a car service in Melbourne or anywhere else for that matter, your mechanic is going to know exactly what’s right for your vehicle. Using the wrong oil may even void engine warranties, so simply adding any old oil to the engine is not always going to be best. Put it this way – you get the car insurance that suits your vehicle, so why not get the right oil?
What does oil actually do?
Firstly, it’s worth understanding what oil is and what it does. In a nutshell, oil lubricates your engine and prevents wearing. Modern oils lubricate differently depending on the weather also. In winter it will be quite viscous, or thick, and in warmer weather, much thinner. The oil you put in your car will be multi-viscous, meaning it adapts to the temperature to give your engine the best protection.
What do all the numbers mean?
Motor oil is referred to by weight, such as 20W-50, and relates to its viscosity with the “W” meaning winter. The lower the number before the W, the better it will flow in colder weather. The higher the number, the better it flows in warmer temperatures. As you can see, the type of oil you use will also depend on what temperatures your car operates at.
Confused by synthetic, conventional and additives?
Just when you had the whole viscosity thing worked out, in come a few others things to add to the confusion. Should you get synthetic oil or go for a conventional blend? And should you get oil with additives to make your engine perform better? Synthetic oils will cost more but research has shown that they will ultimately protect your engine better. They can be mixed safely with conventional oils as well. Additives help engines cope in more extreme circumstances as well so it is worth considering an oil of this type if , for example, you cover a lot of kilometres.
When should oil be changed?
If you have your car regularly serviced then the mechanic will change the oil as a matter of course. But if you do lots of driving, it is worth changing the oil more often to ensure the engine has adequate protection. Changing the oil can’t hurt the car – but changing it too often will hurt the hip pocket. Refer to your car’s user manual for a more definitive guide.