If you are the type of person that constantly has the use of their car, there is a good chance that it is time to change your motor oil, if you have not already. Every second while the engine is burning fuel, the oil gets more and more contaminated by different particles that get released.
If you do not do anything about that contamination, there is a big possibility that the oil could clog up some hard to reach places in your car. So, if you want to avoid spending more than just a few dollars at your next oil change, we recommend that you do it as often as possible.
You may be wondering how to find the right motor oil for your vehicle since there are hundreds of different oil products and several different types.
Yes, this can get quite confusing, and we will explain it to you in just a moment. However, before we get into all the kinds of lubricants for your car engine, you should know about all the benefits of regularly changing the oil.
Smooth operation
A vehicle’s engine is made from thousands of different mechanical parts that are constantly in contact with other parts. For these parts to last longer and work properly, they must be lubricated all the time.
This is why every single car that uses a combustion engine uses oil that lubricates and cools all the important parts of the engine. Without any grease on those parts, every single time they come into contact with something they will get damaged.
However, that ingredient that keeps all those fragments of the engine cooled and cleans them can degrade over time, dry or get contaminated from a bunch of stuff that comes from the combustion process or from the outside environment. This is why it is so important to regularly change it, so you can avoid doing any damage to your beloved car.
Better Mileage
Who doesn’t want a couple more miles out of their gas tank? By regularly changing your lubricant, there is a good chance that your vehicle will run much more efficiently and smoother. Just imagine how much money you can save up if you spend just a couple of bucks on oil.
Longer Life for your Car
It has been proven time and time again that an engine that is cared for on a weekly basis will work a lot longer than the one that does not.
If you leave the dirty lubricant inside, all of the contaminants inside of it will start accumulating and clogging up the pipes and tubes of the vehicle.
Now that you know about the benefits of regularly changing the lubricant for your vehicle, it is time you find out about all the different types you can find at your local shop. According to citgolubes, using the right oil and changing it regularly can even improve the carbon footprint of an engine.
Types of Motor Lubricant
Here are the three types of motor oil that are most commonly used.
Conventional motor oil
If you do not own an expensive sports car, chances are you are using this type of lubricant since it is the cheapest one and you can find it almost anywhere.
Full synthetic oil
This type of lubricant goes through the same refining process as the conventional one but then goes through several other processes to remove all the impurities and to create special compounds which is what makes it a much superior product than other types.
Most manufacturers recommend that people use this type of lubricant as it is much better refined and tested to work with modern cars. It can bring a lot more performance, better protection and will even last longer.
Synthetic Blend
This is a blend of both lubricants that we already mentioned. This type exists because it is offered at a much more affordable price than a fully synthetic one while offering near the same levels of protection and performance. So, if you want to get out a little bit more power out of your car, we recommend that you get a synthetic blend lubricant.
But wait, there’s more!
You not only have the option for different types of lubricants, but you also have the option to pick them depending on your situation. If the winter is nearing, you could add a fully synthetic one that is used for lower temperatures.
If you want to do a bit of cleaning on your engine, then you can get a synthetic blend that can work as both lube and a cleaner. There are a bunch of other features you could consider such as better fuel economy, better protection, more performance, etc.
Other things you should consider when doing an oil change
Have you ever noticed a bunch of numbers and letters on the label of lubricants that never made sense to you? Well, it is time for you to understand what these really mean.
Viscosity grading
Most labels of this kind of product must put their viscosity grading on the label. The viscosity grade is often labeled with two numbers that are separated by the letter W for example 5w30.
The letter w indicates winter, or rather on how low temperatures it can handle before freezing. The first number on this indicator shows the resistance of cold temperatures. So the lower the number before the W, the better it performs during cold winter days. The number that is located just after the letter W, indicates its resistance at 100 degrees Celsius. The lower the number, the worse it performs.
Additives
Additives are compounds that you can add in your vehicle that will improve the performance of the oil.
Considering how many factors are constantly present that can damage your engine to a state where it is irreparable, it is much cheaper to just buy an additive to assist the lubricant in its work. High temperatures, moisture, rust, and corrosion are all things that can produce clogs in the system of your car.
Here are some of the additives you could add in your vehicle:
- Dispersants
- Viscosity improvers
- Detergents
- Antioxidants
- Foam Inhibitors
- and many more…