The engine oil is used to lubricate the various mechanical parts, keeping them clean and limiting friction; it must be checked periodically and changed when a certain mileage is reached.
A car engine is an extremely complex mechanism. It consists of a large number of mechanical parts which are often in contact with each other. For the correct functioning of the individual organs and of the whole unit, lubrication plays a role to say the least, as it prevents the deterioration of the parts; for this reason, engine oil is an element to pay particular attention to because it can affect performance, consumption and emissions and to ensure that it does not damage the propulsion system beyond repair.
The various types of engine oil
There are basically two types of lubricants, mineral and synthetic, each with specific characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Again, choosing the right engine oil is important and requires careful consideration.
Mineral oil is derived from oil through a refining process; it is easily available, even in the form of 'regenerated' fluid and is also used for agricultural machinery. On the other hand, synthetic motor oil is a product obtained by synthesis; there are various types, based on the chemical element that is used in the process, and is mostly used for cars.
What is the use of engine oil
Oil is a viscous fluid (a state halfway between solid and liquid) whose primary function is lubrication. It serves, for example, to avoid friction between two parts in contact, such as the cams and valves or the pistons in the cylinders. The presence of oil prevents wear on the surfaces; it must be said that the components particularly exposed to wear and tear behaviors are 'hardened', that is, they have a thin, particularly resistant external layer obtained by cooling in an oil bath; the task of the fluid is to preserve the integrity of this layer for as long as possible.
The motor oil can also be used in engine cooling systems or assume a protective function with respect to dirt which could compromise the functioning of a specific mechanical part.
Refilling and changing engine oil
Given its importance, the engine oil should be checked periodically. The procedure, which consists in ascertaining the level of the fluid, is very simple and can be done even without consulting your mechanic. To check the engine oil, just extract the rod - present on each car - a few minutes after turning off the engine and cleaning it carefully; then, it must be reinserted into the cup and extracted again; the oil 'dirties' the dipstick, allowing you to check the filling level; if the trace left by the fluid is between the notch indicating the minimum and maximum threshold, it means that there is still enough fluid in the engine. If, on the other hand, 'dirtying' has stopped below the minimum level, it will be necessary to top up the engine oil, bringing the level above the minimum.
In order for the lubricant to always be optimal, simply topping up is not enough: at some point, the oil must be replaced, as it is a substance that tends to degrade over time until it completely loses its viscosity: the oil exhausted - which is then recovered in the 'regeneration' processes - appears almost in a liquid state and is therefore unable to ensure the same performance as a 'normal' fluid.
The replacement of the lubricant must be done when a certain mileage is reached. In general, it is advisable to change the petrol engine oil every time the car has traveled between 15,000 and 20,000 km while for diesel engines the range is between 30,000 and 35,000 km. In any case, it is good to refer first of all to the indications reported directly by the manufacturer in the instruction manual supplied with the car and check the need for an oil change every time 10,000 km have been covered.
How much does engine oil cost
If you decide to buy the oil for your car yourself, there are a few things to watch out for. First of all, the fluid must be compatible with the type of supply (petrol or diesel) and must be among the products approved by the car manufacturer.
Another parameter to be taken into consideration is that relating to the technical specifications of the fluid. In fact, the oils are classified on the basis of the viscosity which varies according to the temperatures and the engine speed. A particularly popular product is the multigrade mixture characterized by the initials 5W30 which summarizes the viscosity parameters of the fluid in different areas of use. The letter 'W' stands for 'winter' while 5 and 30 indicate the viscosity value; specifically, 5 is the parameter at low temperatures (down to -18 °) with the engine at idle speed while 30 is the viscosity value of the fluid at high temperatures (up to 100 °).
As for prices, a 5-liter pack can cost between 25 and 50 euros . Since oil is an important tool for good engine health, it is good not to try to save much by opting for second or third choice products, although a higher cost does not necessarily ensure better results. If, on the other hand, you turn to a workshop, the cost of engine oil may rise slightly to also include labor.
Differences between synthetic oil and mineral oil
They are two types of oils that are fairly widespread since there are - on average - substantial differences in terms of yield. The comparison between the two products relates to some fundamental characteristics: freezing point, viscosity coefficient and lubrication power (i.e. the thickness of the fluid layer and its stability). For more information about synthetic oil visit Automobile Remedy today!
As regards the first point, mineral oil tends to freeze at higher temperatures than synthetic fluids. This is an important factor because, bearing in mind that the metal parts expand and shrink according to the temperature, the oil's ability to remain viscous even below 0 ° ensures the possibility of starting the engine even in climatic conditions particularly rigid.
The viscosity coefficient - that is, how more or less 'sliding' the oil becomes when temperatures vary - is another key parameter; also in this case, the mineral lubricants react in a more sensitive way, with a strong variation proportionate to the temperatures.
