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A beginners guide to car engine oil: What you need to know
1 Nov 2022
A Beginner's Guide To Car Engine Oil
You've just brought home your very first car, and you're feeling pretty good about yourself. But then you start thinking about all of the things that could go wrong, and one of those things is your car's engine oil. Suddenly, you're feeling not so good about yourself. That's ok! Here is a guide to help with a detailed beginner's guide to car engine oil. So, sit back, relax, and the professionals do the worrying for you.
What is engine oil?
The purpose of engine oil is to lubricate, cool, and clean the engine. Lubrication prevents metal-to-metal contact between moving parts, which reduces friction and helps keep the engine cool. Cooling is important because it helps prevent the engine from overheating and seizing up. And finally, cleaning helps keep the engine free of debris and build-up.
Engine oil comes in two main forms: synthetic and mineral. Mineral oil is produced from petroleum, and it's the most common type of oil used in cars. Synthetic oil is designed to deliver excellent all-around protection. It also does a better job of protecting your engine at very high and low temperatures.
How often you should change the engine oil in your car ideally depends on the type of oil you're using and the manufacturer's recommendations. For most cars, changing the oil every 3000 miles or so should be fine. But it's always a good idea to consult your car's owner's manual or a qualified mechanic before making any decisions about your car's maintenance schedule.
What must an engine oil do?
Engine oil helps the engine work without making a lot of noise. MJL Bangladesh PLC, An Authorized Mobil Lubricants Distributor in Bangladesh, explains that traditional engine oil is just composed of basic oil and additional additives. Its intended function is to clean, cool, and safeguard the engine by reducing friction, lubricating moving parts, and removing debris.
Today, however, contemporary synthetic engine oil does more than simply provide lubrication. It offers wear prevention, maintains viscosity at various temperatures, reduces acid pile-up, and cleans & shields turbos and newer engine components.
Seventy to ninety percent of all oils are base oils, which originate from crude oil or natural gas, whereas approximately 10-30% are additives. Some examples of these substances are detergents, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors etc. In simple words, It also helps the engine stay cool and keeps it clean.
Reduce friction
Lubricants reduce the amount of contact that exists between components, which in turn reduces the amount of friction and wear. This helps your engine function more smoothly and for a longer period of time.
Reduce temperature
If you can lessen the amount of friction between moving elements, you can reduce the amount of heat generated and, thus, the temperature at which the machine is working. The oil sump is a good example of a site where the heat generated by the working parts can be safely dissipated by the lubricant.
Dull shock
Lubricants have the ability to absorb shock from mechanical forces. A good engine oil can reduce the damage caused to the vehicle by reducing the intensity of shock from each bump on the road.
Prevent corrosion
A lubricant's primary function is to stop or at least slow the rusting of an engine's internal components. In order to prevent corrosion, lubricants either prevent rust from occurring in the first place by chemically dissolving harmful compounds or by creating a physical barrier between the parts and the harmful material.
Energy transfer
Engine oil's incompressibility makes it ideally suited for use in applications involving the transfer of energy, such as the operation of hydraulic valve lifters or the realization of parts in an engine with valve management.
Cleaning
The fact that base oils have varying degrees of solvency is one of the factors that contribute to the successful upkeep of internal cleanliness. Solvency refers to a fluid's capacity to dissolve another substance, whether it be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Do engine oil and motor oil mean the same thing?
It is plausible that you have observed someone refer to engine oil as motor oil. Both items are exactly the same and relate to any material having a basic oil that is made of basic oil with additives. The added elements consist of various components like anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants etc.
The importance of changing oil
When an engine is in use, it collects combustion wastes in the oil. Overfilling the oil with impurities causes deposits, sludge, and premature engine wear. By keeping the engine's various gears well lubricated, motor oil helps to prevent wear and friction, two factors that can cause damage and poor performance.
The vehicle's performance and machine life could suffer if the oil isn't changed regularly and these impurities are allowed to build up. You should use quality engine oil, such as that made by Mobil, and change your oil at the manufacturer's suggested intervals.
The question is, how frequently should you replace the oil? Usually, many newer vehicles include engine oil indicators that flash a light on the dashboard if the oil gets too low or should be changed. Dealerships and repair shops often include reminder stickers for when your oil should be changed.
If you don't have that facility, then the changes should be performed at the retailer's recommended intervals or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, this is contingent on a number of variables, including the age of your car, the sort of driving you do, and the kind of oil you use.
If you're still not sure what to do, it's best to get the opinion of a mechanic or read the manual that came with your car.
When the oil in your vehicle runs out?
Without oil, your engine's moving parts would grind against one another, causing the engine to overheat and eventually stop working. This results in damage that is difficult, though not impossible, to repair. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your oil level and make frequent oil changes.
Sometimes it's not enough to keep an eye on the engine light. There are various other signals that can indicate it's time to replace the oil. A few of them are explained below:
The smell of Oil - A noticeable clue of an oil leak is the presence of an oily odour inside the vehicle. There may be an overheating problem if you detect the odour of fuel or combustion. You should get your automobile in for a service check as quickly as possible, regardless of the situation.
Smoke from the tailpipe - It is common for the exhaust of your vehicle to generate some smoke that is translucent; however, if you ever find that this vapour is turning into thick smoke, you may have a problem with an oil leak or malfunctioning engine parts.
Noise - When engine oil is properly lubricating your engine's active parts, you won't hear a peep out of it. However, pounding or rumbling noises may begin if the oil level is extremely low or has totally run out. If this happens, get an oil change as soon as possible.
Muddy Oil - When the oil has been adequately refined, it will have a golden amber colour that is transparent. Over time, a gradual darkening will occur as a result of the collection of dirt and grime. If you inspect the oil and notice that it has turned a dark hue, this indicates that the oil is likely unclean and needs to be replaced.
Timing - As was previously said, it is recommended to change the oil in your engine every 3,000 miles or so or every three to six months. It's possible that you'll want to get an oil change for your automobile a little earlier than usual if you drive a lot in a given month. If you drive an older car, this is very important to remember.
Can wrong engine oil harm your vehicle?
If you don't use the right kind of engine oil, it won't protect your vehicle's engine as it should, and that could lead to costly repairs. The most prevalent issues that arise from using an inappropriate type of engine oil are the early onset of engine wear, an increase in fuel consumption, and a decrease in engine power.
Because of this, it is quite necessary to make certain that you use the appropriate kind of oil in your vehicle. You can find this information in the manual that came with your car. If you are unsure about something, it is advisable to seek the advice of an expert. Here are some of the different types of oil you may come across:
Mineral Oils - These are the conventional oils that have been put into motors for a considerable amount of time. They are derived from petroleum and contain additives that aid in providing protection against wear and tear.
Synthetic Oils - These oils are synthesized in a laboratory and have been engineered to function at higher temperatures than mineral oils. They also have a longer lifespan, which means that you won't have to replace them as frequently as you would otherwise.
Semi-Synthetic Oils - Semi-synthetic oils are a combination of mineral and synthetic oils, as suggested by the name of these oils. They provide some of the advantages that are associated with both types of oil.
Check your vehicle's oil level
Checking your vehicle's oil level is a good habit to get into, and it only takes a minute or two. Here's how to do it:
Park your vehicle on a level surface, and then wait for the engine temperature to cool down before starting the process. This is an important step because burns can be caused by oil that is too hot.
Find where the dipstick is located, then take it out of the engine.
Use a clean rag or piece of paper towel to wipe the dipstick clean.
To check the oil level, the dipstick needs to be reinserted into the engine and then pulled out once more.
If the oil level on the dipstick is below the "full" mark, you need to add oil to the engine until it reaches the "full" mark.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has been helpful in demystifying car engine oil for you! Remember, changing your car's oil is an important part of routine maintenance that will help keep your car running smoothly for years to come. So don't put it off! If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult your car's owner's manual or a qualified mechanic before making any decisions about your car's maintenance schedule.
Mobil is a trademark of Exxon Mobil Corporation and used under license by MJL Bangladesh PLC. MJL Bangladesh PLC is the strategic alliance partner of ExxonMobil in Bangladesh.
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