Why The Right Motor Oil Is Important
When 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.
Still not sure what to use?
Read the manual that came with your car. It will tell you the best type of oil for your car depending on how you drive and the conditions in which your engine operates. When you set out to buy oil, you are going to see a lot of different brands that suit your engine, so don’t be afraid to ask someone who works at the store for their advice. A lot of the time auto stores will have a book or database of cars and their matching oils – all you have to do is know the make, model and year of your car and the right oil match can be made. Don’t be scared to go online to do a little research either. You never know – while surfing the web getting car insurance quotes you will find some good links to other automotive sites that could be more than handy.
Author Bio: Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics, including car service in Melbourne and car insurance