WHAT IS ENGINE OIL?
ENGINE OIL: THE FOOD TO OUR VEHICLE
As we humans consume food to gain energy and function properly, similarly our engines present in our vehicles also require engine oil for their proper functioning and maintenance.
In today’s world, we invest so much in consumable products. We have replaced our traditional cooking oils, we have changed our lifestyles with new brands and products as we are in a constant rush and confusion to choose the best.
Hefty amounts of money are spent to choose the best for our heart and body. It is a good habit indeed, but while doing so we neglect other things that also require attention.
One such thing is the engine of our vehicle.
Buying a vehicle is not the end of our job but making sure that the vehicle is given due consideration and care is also necessary. This is where engine oils come into the picture
WHAT IS AN ENGINE OIL?
You may call it to engine oil, motor oil, or engine lubricants and it has various names.
It is one of the main lubricants that have a big part to play in the combustion cycle and also keeps the engine cool.
Engine oil is made up of elements such as anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, etc.
WHY DO WE NEED ENGINE OILS?
The engine is the heart of the vehicle.
As the heart needs the blood, Engine oils have a similar role to play for the engines.
To be more specific, we list down some of the main functions which an engine oil plays, which makes them absolutely inevitable.
- First and foremost, the main function of engine oil is to maintain the durability of an engine. It reduces friction and wears on moving parts. If you want your vehicle to have a healthy and long life, engine oils are a must.
- The engine oil cleans the engine from sludge with the help of dispersants and detergents.
- It also neutralizes acids that originate from fuel and from the oxidation of the lubricant.
- Improves sealing of piston rings and prevents any kind of leakages.
- Engine oil lubricates engine parts so as to reduce friction and helps to keep the engine running smoothly.
- They also help to reduce heat build-up within the engine as heat is produced from the friction of engine parts and the excessive heat can cause damage.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENGINE OIL AVAILABLE?
There are mainly 4 kinds of engine oil available in the market.
They are mentioned below :
- CONVENTIONAL MOTOR OIL
Conventional oil is the standard and most readily available motor oil.
It is extracted from crude oil and then eventually it is refined in the factory.
As they are naturally occurring, they are less refined and hence deliver less protection as compared to other types.
None the less they are extremely popular as they are pocket friendly and also deliver a decent performance.
- FULLY SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL
Synthetic motor oil is manufactured from the scratch in the factory, this is one of the main distinguishing features which makes it different from conventional oil.
They are a lot more refined as compared to conventional oil, and are overall better for the engine.
But they are expensive as compared to conventional motor oil
As the name suggests these oils are an amalgamation of both conventional oil and fully synthetic oil as some of the particles are naturally extracted and some are manufactured by man.
Hence it shares properties from both of the oils mentioned above.
It is cheap as compared to fully synthetic oil and is more long-lasting than conventional oil.
- HIGH MILEAGE OIL
High mileage oil is specifically designed for cars with more than 75,000 miles.
This type of oil can help reduce oil consumption, minimize leaks and oil seepage, and can also help reduce emissions in older engines.
GRADING
The Society Of Automotive Engineering (SAE) has established a numerical scale system for grading motor oils according to their viscosity characteristics.
The 11 viscosity grades are 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, 25W, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. These numbers represent the oil’s resistance to thinning at high temperatures.
In the United States, these numbers are often referred to as the “weight” of motor oil.
To understand better here is an example :
10W-30 oil will thin out at higher temperatures faster than 10W-40 will.
WHY DO WE NOT NEED AN ENGINE OIL?
Do you still think there is a reason to not buy engine oil?
