One of the most taken-for-granted service maintenance tasks to a car is to change the oil. The usual lazy way is to go to a service center to have the mechanic change the oil. But there's actually more to it than that.
The purpose of having oil in an engine is lubrication, and protection from heat and friction.
How does oil work in the engine?
When the engine is not at work, at the bottom you will find the oil pan. When the engine is in operation, the oil is drawn from the oil pan and pumped through the numerous holes and crevices in the engine. This lubricates as well as move heat away from these areas to be cooled.
Motor oil also have detergent added to the mix to clean the engine. Aside from heat, it draws grime and soot away from these engine parts and draws them through the oil filter. Having large quantities of oil around also prevents rust.
How is motor oil rated?
Motor oils must be considered according to it viscosity rating. Viscosity is the ability of the oil to flow freely. In hot weather, oil flows freely but may be too thin to provide protection from friction. In cold weather, oil turns thick and may be less able to flow throughout the engine.
Currently there are 2 types of oils in the market: single-viscosity and multi-viscosity. Some single-viscosity may not have detergents. Oil manufacturers rate motor oil according to the range of temperatures they are expected to operate in. The lower the number, the thinner the oil and the more easily it flows.
For example, 10W-40, the two numbers means it's a multi-viscosity oil. 10 is the lowest range and 40 being the highest range. The W means it can be used in winter conditions.
Oil Classification Codes
Other than viscosity, you can spot the right oil by its classification code. Starting with the code "SA", the best oil in the market right now is coded as "SJ". For diesels, a "CF" symbol means that the oil is rated the highest for diesel engines.
How to choose the right oil for your car
What have you been using all this time? Make sure you know what you have been using in your engine, you might be using an oil with no detergent. If you change to one that has detergent, it may free up all the dirt in the engine and foul things up. In this case, make sure you use the same class and rating of oil.
How old is the oil? If you've been logging the miles and haven't been changing the oil, chances are you need a thicker oil to make up for the wear in the engine parts. Switch to heavier oils if you have been neglecting your regular oil change.
What oil is recommended? Refer to your owner's manual, as it may have mentioned an oil that makes your engine run optimally. If your engine is still under warranty, take advantage of this privilege.
How's the climate? Multi-viscosity covers a range of temperatures while single-viscosity can cover constant climate conditions.
Use known brands. There's a reason why brands like Pennzoil, Quaker State and Valvoline are on top.
How often do you change the oil?
The usual answer is: as often as possible. The average change should be about every 3000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. If you drive often in the city, it's recommended that your oil should be changed every 1000 miles.
Look for my next article on: Changing Oil Yourself Saves Money
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