Engine oil lubricates engine moving parts to reduce the destroying friction that reduces performance. Poor quality oil don’t fulfil this purpose.
Driving with low oil levels can seriously reduce the life of engine. Clean oil restrain the buildup of sludge which can clog the narrow oil passages in vehicle engine.
Low engine oil levels can cause engine overheating, leading to potential breakdowns or even fires.
Basic Functions of Engine Oil
The function of engine oil in an automobile is same as the blood in our body.
- Reducing Friction: The lubricant acts as a barrier between harshness of the metal surfaces of moving parts when they meet their opposites. It allows them to slide smoothly past each other without any friction.
- Cooling: The engine reduces friction between moving components which results low heat production and engine don’t cross optimal temperature.
- Cleaning: The engine oils carry on cleaning the engine components and contributing dirt harmless before it is taken out with the oil at the next oil change. In this way sludge removed from one area being deposited.
Varieties
Engine oil can be divided into four unique varieties.
1. Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil composed of artificially made chemical compounds. It is a man-made lubricant. These are generally manufactured from chemically redesigned materials such as petroleum components.The base material is always distilled crude oil. Any additional additives and synthesis process varies among producers and is considered a trade secret.
2. Synthetic Blend
It is a mixture of conventional engine oils and synthetic base stocks. Due to the added synthetic base stock, you get more performance and safety than by using a conventional oil alone.
3. High Mileage Oil
These oils don’t loose viscosity easily and stay thicker longer to protect engine parts. Such oils have constituents to protect older engines. These constituents include conditioners, friction additives, seal swells, antioxidants and detergents.
4. Conventional Engine Oil
Conventional engine oil is purified from crude oil taken out from the ground. It consists of molecules of varying sizes, which means its viscosity index is less reliable. Viscosity index is ability to flow over a range of temperatures.
Comparison: Engine Oil Type vs Price vs Mileage
| Sr. No | Engine Oil Type | Pack Size | Price | Mileage (Claimed) |
| 1 | Synthetic | 1 Gallon (3.78 L) | 58.0 USD | 15,000 Miles |
| 2 | Synthetic Blend | 1 Gallon (3.78 L) | 50.0 USD | 7500 Miles |
| 3 | High Mileage | 1 Gallon (3.78 L) | 47.0 USD | 5000 Miles |
| 4 | Conventional | 1 Gallon (3.78 L) | 28.0 USD | 3000 miles |
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Engine Oil Grades
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) had specified different grades of engine oils based on its viscosity at room temperature.
The engine oil grade is given in the form of alpha-numeric. The higher the number, the thicker the oil.
It is important to understand the alpha-numeric code before the list of grades. We try to undersatnd from the grade 20W-40.
| 20 is first numeric preceding W | How the oil will flow in cold condition. |
| W | It stands for Winter and appears how the oil will react to a cold start. |
| 40 is last sumeric succeding W | How the oil will flow at standard operating temperature. |
List of Grades:
- 0W-20 : The viscosity of the oil is 0 when the engine is cold. When the engine reaches its standard operating temperature the viscosity of the oil becomes 20. This engine oil is relatively thinner when you start the engine.
- 0W-30 : It is designed to behave as a 0 weight oil at the starting temperature and a 30 weight oil when the engine attain its standard operating temperature.
- 0W-40 : This grade behave as a 0 weight oil at the starting temperature and a 40 weight oil when the engine will attain its standard operating temperature.
- 5W-30 : It is frequently available and considerably used engine oil. It works as a 5 weight oil at starting and a 30 weight oil when the vehicle engine attains its standard operating temperature.
- 5W-40 : It performs as a 5 weight engine oil when facing a cold start. It acts like a 40 weight oil once the engine obtains standard operating temperature. 5W-40 is the fully synthetic engine oil.
- 10W-40 : This oil is designed to offer 10 weight performance in the cold start temperature, while a 40 weight performance at the standard working temperature of the engine.
Guide to Choose
It all depends on how you drive and where you drive. However, always remember to choose the manufacturer specified engine oil for your vehicle.
