According to tow services in Brisbane, your car’s engine is a massive chunk of metal with numerous other components that can collide if not properly protected. This is where engine oil comes into play, which is one of the most vital components of the car’s engine and can have an impact on your safety on the road.
You’ve probably seen a lot of DIY videos on how to change the oil in your car. However, before you get your hands dirty in car oil, we highly recommend you to go check this article. We discuss what car oil is, why it’s important, what the different types of car oils are?
Once we know all this, in the next article we will take step by step how to replace car oil and filter. We’ll also provide you with advice and information on another important component, the oil filter.
Here is the list of everything you need to know about Car Oil by tow services in Brisbane:
What Does a Motor Oil Do?
According to tow services in Brisbane, one of the most important things affecting the performance of your engine is the type of oil you use. The engine can have a long and happy life if it is properly lubricated. The primary function of automotive oil is to prevent metal parts from corroding one another. These metal components can either tear at each other or weld together. The engine will be destroyed in a matter of seconds if the parts are not properly lubricated.
In the field of motor oil, a lot has changed. Tow services in Brisbane believe that the days of using oils just for lubrication are long gone. They are now used for a variety of purposes, including:
- The engine is protected from rupture by cushioning the shock.
- Reduce friction as much as possible.
- lowering the amount of wear and tear.
- The dynamic seal maximizes horsepower while preventing pollution in the engine oil.
- Keeping the moving parts cool.
- Heat is absorbed from surface areas and moved to a safe location, such as the oil sump.
- Keeping the engine’s interior components from corroding.
- Certain components, like the piston-cylinder interface, are dynamically sealed to keep combustion gases in their proper chamber.
- Cleaning engine components by eliminating pollutants.
- Mechanical stress is absorbed and dispersed over a large contact surface, reducing the effect.
Why is it so important to change your car’s oil on time?
A mechanic working for tow services in Brisbane can change a car’s oil can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. It will take longer for first-timers, but it is normally a simple process. Unfortunately, many automobile owners put off getting their oil changed until they notice a problem with the engine.
It is critical to change your car’s oil on a regular basis. Not just tow services in Brisbane but many automotive experts also advise drivers and owners to change their engine oil for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Ensure that the car engine is properly lubricated.
You’re probably aware that your car’s bonnet contains various moving parts, such as pistons and valves. They’re all moving fast, which generates heat. You can imagine how rapidly an engine without lubrication will wear down. As a result, you must routinely change the oil in your car to maintain it properly oiled.
- The engine components will be kept cool by the motor oil.
When the car’s moving parts aren’t lubricated, they cause friction, which transforms into heat. You can prevent the engine from overheating by using clean and sufficient oil.
- The oil will aid in the removal of dirt and sludge from the engine.
Over time, the engine of an automobile can become dirty. If the dirt is not removed, it might cause corrosion and finally the engine’s death. Furthermore, if you do not replace your automobile oil on a regular basis, dirt will break down and turn into “sludge.” According to tow services in Brisbane, oil and filter replacements on a regular basis will eliminate these dirt particles, allowing your engine to run smoothly.
- Regular oil changes will help you get more mileage out of your gas tank.
When the engine is not properly maintained, your car’s fuel consumption skyrockets. As a result, having clean oil in the engine makes sense, as it can boost gas mileage by up to 2%. Yes, it may not appear to be a significant improvement, but it will undoubtedly result in significant cost reductions over time. Every year, you can save nearly four litres of gas!
- Your car’s life can be extended with an oil change.
Tow services in Brisbane believe in plain and simple solutions, routine maintenance can help your car last longer. Keep unclean oil away from your car’s components so that they don’t have to work as hard, increasing the chance of the engine breaking down.
How to tell if it’s time to change your car’s oil
Experts working in tow services in Brisbane know that oil changes are inconvenient, but they are necessary. The good news is that you don’t have to replace your oil if it isn’t necessary. When it comes to when you should replace the old, unclean oil, there is no hard and fast rule. When it’s time to replace the oil, a number of factors come into play, including:
- Your car’s age or the engine’s age
- Your driving style
- Your location
However, many experts from tow services in Brisbane agree that the oil in an automobile should be changed every 4800 kilometres (3000 miles). Automobile manufacturers, on the other hand, recommend changing the oil every 8000 kilometres (5000 miles) or more.
However, you should check every three months in most cases. For the greatest performance, change the old oil and filter during this time.
If you use synthetic oil, you may be able to travel up to 16,000 kilometres without changing it (10,000 miles). While your engine may be able to go for 8000 km between oil changes, we recommend changing the oil more frequently. It’s especially useful if you’re driving at high speeds or have an older engine.
What Type of Motor Oil Should You Use for Your Car?
Everyone working in tow services in Brisbane would agree that before changing your automobile oil, you must first choose the correct oil for your vehicle. Depending on the needs of your vehicle, there are various guidelines to follow. The three most common types of automobile oil available now are:
- Synthetic Lubricant
Synthetic oil is the most expensive option among your options, but there’s a reason for it. It’s designed to perform in a variety of temperatures and circumstances, including both highs and lows.
It minimizes engine drag, which saves fuel consumption. Synthetic oil is also effective at cleaning your engine’s internals as the fluid is circulated around. This oil decreases the need for change, making it environmentally friendly. This is why it is the most recommended oil among all by tow services in Brisbane.
- The oil that is semi-synthetic
This oil is a blend of synthetic and mineral oils. Because pure synthetic is expensive, the blend helps to lower the product’s price. It has some of the advantages of synthetic oil but some of the downsides of mineral oil.
- Mineral Oil is a type of oil that is used
Because mineral or standard oil is the cheapest form of motor oil available, some consumers choose it. Mineral oil is created after crude oil is processed, and it is essentially a byproduct of crude oil. Car firms, on the other hand, only prescribe this sort of oil to a limited few. The reason for this is that mineral oil lacks the desirable characteristics found in other types of car oil.
Mineral oil does not assist in the cleaning of the engine. In addition, unlike other varieties, it cannot withstand extremes of heat and cold. Mineral oil, on the other hand, is totally good for your engine, especially if you have an older vehicle. It is also recommended that you only drive in warm temperatures.
Other Factors to Consider When Purchasing Car Oil
When choosing an oil for your car, you need also to consider additives and viscosity.
- Additives
Apart from the type, you can also be interested in motor oil additives. Oils contain a variety of compounds that provide benefits like anti-wear, corrosion prevention, anti-foam, and acid neutralization, among others.
Boron, zinc, and phosphorus are some of the chemical additions included in motor oils. The chemical composition of the oil has no bearing on its efficacy. Oil formulators are still attempting to find the optimum blend of additives and basic oils.
- Viscosity
When picking an oil for your car, viscosity is an important issue to consider. It relates to the oil’s resistance to flow. The viscosity of the oil fluctuates with temperature.
You’re undoubtedly aware that frigid temperatures are required for the oil to flow freely. When you turn on the ignition, it will lubricate the engine in this manner. It is, nevertheless, critical that the oil stays thick.
When the engine’s components operate at high temperatures, the appropriate thickness protects the engine. The change in viscosity should not be drastic to ensure that the oil is efficient no matter how, when, or where you drive your car.
Isn’t it true that knowing the viscosity of the oil would be really useful? The good news is that every product is labelled with the Viscosity Index. According to the experts from tow services in Brisbane, you can also calculate the viscosity index by comparing the viscosity of the oil at 40°C and 100°C.
When the temperature rises or lowers, a greater VI indicates that the viscosity will change significantly less. Synthetic oils, on the whole, have a higher VI than conventional or standard oils, such as mineral oils.
For different viscosity classes and classifications, the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (SAE-A) provides guidelines. When you look at the product label, you’ll find numbers and letters like 10W-40 or 15W-50.
These grades indicate where the oil falls inside a specific range. The temperature range is shown by the numbers. Lower numbers suggest that the oil will perform well even when the environment is cold like it is in the winter. As a result, the greater the number, the better the protection against increased load and heat.
The letter W in the samples above indicates that the oil is suitable for usage at low temperatures. Consider it a symbol for the season “winter.” The SAE-A uses a numbering system that begins with a 0 and progresses through 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60. If the oil is labelled 10W-40, it will flow well even in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
The majority of today’s oil products have multi-viscosity. As a result, depending on the temperature, they perform differently, providing customers with the best of both worlds. They can operate in freezing temperatures and yet deliver adequate flow. They also provide reliable protection, even when the engine temperature rises to dangerous levels.
With this article, you must have understood the importance and everything there is to know about car oils thanks to our experts from tow services in Brisbane. Stay connected for our next blog where we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to change car oils and filters for the best performance of your vehicle.