You’re familiar with the advice about regular oil changes. It’s why oil changes are the most frequent maintenance items performed on today’s vehicles.
What you aren’t sure about is the why.
They say to replace oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Some push it to 7,500 or 10,000. But what’s really true? Are regular oil changes essential to the health of your vehicle? What should you keep in mind as you go about your errands each day?
Why Your Car Needs Motor Oil
Your car’s engine needs motor oil to keep it running smoothly. It provides lubrication. Without it, the moving parts inside the engine couldn’t glide together without causing damage. They would grind, creating a lot of friction and wear.
Motor oil also plays a crucial role in cooling the engine. As the engine runs, it gets hot, and the oil helps carry away this heat. This keeps the engine from overheating and maintains the right temperature for proper operation.
This role means motor oil gets pushed to the limit as you drive each day. Luckily, manufacturers realize this, and have built special additives into motor oil to pick up debris, and sludge, preventing them from building up inside the engine. This keeps the engine clean and running efficiently.
Without motor oil, an engine could face corrosion. Motor oil forms a protective layer on engine parts, preventing rust and damage caused by moisture and other elements. This is vital for keeping the engine in good condition. It seals the engine, filling the tiny gaps between the piston rings and cylinder walls, ensuring efficient compression and combustion. This improves how the engine performs and helps save on fuel.
And if all that wasn’t enough, it also acts as a shock absorber. It cushions the engine’s moving parts, reducing the noise and vibration you might feel while driving. This makes your ride smoother and quieter.
What’s In Regular Motor Oil That Makes It Essential For Your Vehicle
Motor oil is essential to keep your car’s engine performing throughout the years. But what’s even more important is understanding what’s inside.
The primary component of motor oil is the base oil, which makes up about 70-90 percent of the oil. Base oils can be made from petroleum, synthetic chemicals, or a blend of both. They provide the basic lubrication properties needed to reduce friction and wear in the engine.
The remaining 10-30 percent of motor oil consists of additives that enhance the performance of the base oil. These additives include:
Detergents
Detergents keep the engine clean by preventing the formation of deposits, sludge, and varnish on engine parts. They help remove impurities and keep them suspended in the oil until the next oil change.
Dispersants
Dispersants help keep solid contaminants in suspension, preventing them from clumping together and forming sludge. This ensures that the contaminants are carried to the oil filter, where they can be removed from circulation.
Anti-Wear Agents
Anti-wear agents, such as zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP), form a protective film on engine parts. This film reduces metal-to-metal contact, thereby minimizing wear and extending the life of engine components.
Viscosity Index Improvers
These additives help the oil maintain its viscosity, or thickness, across a wide range of temperatures. This ensures that the oil flows easily at low temperatures while remaining thick enough to provide adequate lubrication at high temperatures.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants prevent the oil from oxidizing, or breaking down, under high temperatures. Oxidation can lead to the formation of sludge and varnish, which can harm the engine. By preventing oxidation, antioxidants help prolong the life of the oil.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Corrosion inhibitors protect the engine parts from rust and corrosion caused by moisture and acidic by-products of combustion. This protection helps maintain the integrity of engine components.
Friction Modifiers
Friction modifiers reduce friction between moving parts, improving fuel efficiency and reducing wear. They are particularly important in modern engines designed for high performance and fuel economy.
Foam Inhibitors
Foam inhibitors prevent the formation of foam and air bubbles in the oil. Foam can reduce the oil’s effectiveness in lubricating and cooling the engine, so these inhibitors ensure consistent performance.
What Makes Today’s Motor Oil Different From Yesteryear?
Motor oil has been used since the dawn of cars. Maybe you remember your dad performing an oil change himself – it seemed easy. Just a can of oil, and you’re on your way.
Things have changed a bit over the years. Today’s motor oil significantly differs from the oil used in the past.
Modern motor oils often include synthetic base oils, which are chemically engineered to provide superior performance compared to conventional petroleum-based oils. Synthetic oils offer better stability, reduced volatility, and enhanced performance at extreme temperatures. Even conventional oils have seen improvements in refining processes, resulting in cleaner, more stable base oils that perform better and last longer.
Today’s motor oils also contain a more sophisticated blend of additives designed to meet the specific needs of modern engines. These include advanced detergents, dispersants, anti-wear agents, antioxidants, and friction modifiers that provide better protection and performance. Additives are now tailored to meet the requirements of different types of engines, including turbocharged, direct-injection, and high-performance engines.
Modern oils are typically multi-grade, meaning they can perform well across a wide range of temperatures. This is achieved through viscosity index improvers that allow the oil to remain fluid in cold temperatures while maintaining its thickness in hot conditions. They are more stable and less prone to breaking down or thinning out under extreme conditions, providing consistent lubrication and protection.
Modern motor oils meet stringent standards set by organizations like the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). These standards ensure that the oils provide adequate protection and performance for modern engines. Many motor oils are also formulated to meet the specific requirements of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), ensuring compatibility and optimal performance for specific vehicle brands and models.
There is a growing market for biodegradable and eco-friendly motor oils that are less harmful to the environment. These oils are designed to minimize the ecological impact without sacrificing performance.
That’s Why Regular Oil Changes Are More Important Than Ever
It’s easy to put off regular maintenance. You get busy. Life happens. And suddenly, you can’t remember the last time you brought your vehicle in for servicing.
But there’s a reason it can’t wait. Your engine is at the heart of your vehicle. If it’s compromised, it can have a ripple effect throughout your vehicle.
Want to increase longevity? Want your vehicle to continue running smoothly? Start with a regular oil change.
It’s the start of keeping your vehicle in the best shape possible.