The Impact of Engine Oils on Modern day cars!
Motor oils keep engines running smoothly
The simple task of an engine using petrol cannot be completed without an appropriate engine lubricant. Car engines involve hundreds of moving parts, both small and large. It also includes a huge amount of friction going on inside the average car’s engine, with strong metal components contacts which constantly produce friction.
Oil Lubricants are remarkable fluids. The viscosity is one of the most significant physical properties of a lubricant. The way in which it varies with temperature, shear rate and pressure determines to a great extent how the lubricant performs in an engine. SAE J300 is a standard that defines the viscometric properties of mono- and multigrade engine oils. Take multigrade oil SAE 15W-40 as an example. The first number “15” before the letter “W” which stands for winter, represents the cold temperature viscosity grade. SAE J300 defines the limits of “15W” grade. The number “40” stands for high temperature viscosity grade, and again SAE J300 defines the limits of “40” grade.
Oil additives are chemical components that improve the lubricating performance of the base oil. These additives are vital for the proper lubrication and prolonged use of engine oil in modern combustion engines. Additives have specific functions, like detergents keep all the engine internals clean. Anti-corrosion and rust inhibitors protect the engine from corrosion and rust. A viscosity improver is an important additive which reduce the rate of change in viscosity as temperature increases.
The oil drain intervals has long been believed for every 3,000 miles. This 3,000 mile oil change interval is largely a thing of the past now. As oil technologies get better, engine lubricants last longer and can withstand the stress, heat and contamination than they used to before. Many car manufacturers allow extended oil change intervals and some cars even keep track of oils conditions. Hence in recent years most automakers have stretched oil drain intervals to 7,500 or even 10,000 miles because of the advancement of engine technologies and oil technologies which purportedly allow engine oil to last longer.
