Oil change - understanding performance needs

Oct 11
07:52

2011

Ace Abbey

Ace Abbey

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There is nothing wrong with attempting to do an oil change at home. However, getting the right motor oil is just as important is performing the actual oil change. Mixing different motor oils, or choosing the wrong motor oil can certainly do more harm than good.

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Performing an oil change is relatively easy. In fact,Oil change - understanding performance needs Articles many vehicles owners will attempt to save money by completing this maintenance technique at home, without the help of an auto mechanic. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners select the wrong motor oil for their vehicle, resulting in unnecessary damage to the vehicle. There are many factors to keep in mind when selecting a motor oil to use in the vehicle's engine, and choosing the wrong one is just as bad as not getting an oil change at all.

There was once a time when there were only about half a dozen motor oils on the market to choose from, and since they were all just about the same, it didn't matter which one you chose to put in the engine. Now, there are hundreds of different motor oils, each with a different chemical make-up and additives that are specially designed for certain vehicles. Choosing between conventional and synthetic motor oil is the first place to start when looking for the right motor oil. Conventional oil is petroleum-based and made of crude oil. Therefore, it flows a little more slowly, allowing for better lubrication of the engine parts. This makes conventional oil better suited for older engines that need better lubrication in order to work more efficiently. Unfortunately, this high viscosity becomes impractical in extremely cold environments because the motor oil is more likely to freeze, providing little to no protect for the engine components. Synthetic motor oil is created in a lab, allowing for more variety in its ability to protect the engine. For instance, synthetic oil can be made with increased viscosity to withstand extremely cold temperatures. Synthetic blend motor oil shares the best properties of both types of lubricant, making it a more all-purpose motor oil that can be used in both new and older vehicles.

While it is important to understand the differences between synthetic and conventional motor oil, there are a number of additional properties that are important when it comes to choosing a good lubricant for your vehicle. Many motor oils are specially formulated with additives to provide cleansing, sealant, and dispersant properties. These are especially helpful for older car engines that are more prone to sludge build-up and leaks within the system. This is why many motor oils are labeled specifically for high mileage vehicles. Likewise, high performance motor oils are specially formulated to withstand high temperatures, which can cause the average lubricant to breakdown.

Even vehicle owners who are diligent about getting a frequent oil change can harm their engine with the wrong motor oil. Understanding the performance needs of the vehicle is important when it comes to getting the most out of any engine.