5 Surprising Facts About Engine Oil You Need to Know
Engine oil: the lifeblood of your car, the unsung hero keeping everything running smoothly beneath the hood. We know it's important to change it regularly, but beyond that, what do you know about this vital fluid? Chances are, there's more to engine oil than you might think. In this article, we'll delve into five surprising facts about engine oil that may just change the way you think about your next oil change. From its surprising composition to its lesser-known functions, prepare to uncover secrets that could help you improve your car's performance and longevity. Let's dive in!
Consider The 5 Things When You Choose Engine Oil
Engine Oils Differ Significantly From Each Other
Research reveals that selecting appropriate engine oil is a complex process. The multitude of available brands further complicates this decision. Each engine requires specific oil viscosity and engine oil specifications. These requirements are determined primarily by automobile manufacturers or international manufacturing consortiums. However, it's crucial to understand that these specifications merely establish minimum requirements that oils must meet for specific vehicles. Similar to academic grades, products can meet standards at varying levels of excellence. Therefore, even when oils share identical viscosity ratings and specifications, their quality levels may differ substantially. You might wonder how to identify superior products. We recommend investigating the manufacturer's core values and practices. Does the company utilize premium base oils? What details are disclosed on the product packaging? What experiences do other consumers report? If you rely on a mechanic for maintenance, inquire about their oil brand preference and reasoning. Seeking information typically yields valuable insights.
Engine Oil Viscosity Clarified: Viscosity Indicates Flow Characteristics, Not Quality
Many incorrectly associate viscosity with quality standards. This assumption is inaccurate. Viscosity represents a physical characteristic - the fluid's resistance to flow - rather than a quality metric. This property indicates the temperature range within which the oil functions effectively. To explain simply: A high-quality engine oil maintains consistent viscosity characteristics across both low and high temperatures, demonstrating stability and performance excellence. If your engine experiences excessive heat, multiple factors could be responsible. Engine oil could be one cause. You may have either selected inappropriate viscosity for your engine, or chosen the correct viscosity in a substandard product that failed to maintain its physical properties.
A Synthetic Engine Oil is NOT Always The Optimal Choice
While synthetic or fully synthetic engine oils are manufactured with superior base oils, consumers often overlook whether their vehicle needs this grade. Consider this scenario: Vintage automobile engine oils are formulated with gentler chemical compositions. Engines from different manufacturing eras typically demand more subtle formulations. In such instances, a mineral-based engine oil could potentially deliver better performance. This represents an extreme case, but it illustrates a key point: broad assumptions can be misleading. Each vehicle requires its specific engine oil type; consult your Owner's Manual for definitive guidance.
A Fuel Economy Engine Oil Is Not Suitable For All Engines
The decision to use fuel economy lubricants isn't yours to make. It's determined by the Manufacturer. Fuel and Ultra Fuel Economy engine oils share one characteristic: they're low-viscosity products. Reduced viscosity creates less component friction, resulting in lower fuel usage. If your engine wasn't designed for low-viscosity fluids, you risk damaging the bearings and compromising engine performance.
Engine Oil Top-Up: Combining Different Oils Is Not Recommended
Mixing engine oils during top-ups is discouraged. Though blending products with comparable viscosity and specifications might be acceptable, you must avoid combining oils with different viscosities or chemical compositions. Only consider mixing in emergencies, and ensure you perform a complete oil change shortly afterward.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Engine oil is crucial for maintaining engine efficiency and longevity. Understanding the right viscosity and synthetic vs. conventional oil can extend engine lifespan and improve performance. Regular maintenance and high-quality oil can prevent costly repairs, so stay informed, check your oil regularly, and give your engine the care it deserves. GARS is a leading engine oil manufacturer our key range products are Front Fork Oil, Grease, etc. 
