What Is Engine Oil? Everything You Need To Know

Whether it is about going to work, taking a holiday, taking your family to a picturesque location near you, or moving around for everyday errands, cars and bikes play a crucial role in our lives. 

The engine is a crucial part of your car and demands constant care and attention. Marinated in the hustle-bustle of this rapidly evolving world, there are chances that we may miss oiling the engine regularly. But this will impact the functioning of the engine. So, it is important to maintain the engine and oil it periodically. 

The blog presents comprehensive details on what engine oil is about, the use of engine oil and how often the oil should be changed. 

What is Engine oil?

Traditionally, engine oil was a blend of base oil and additives. It helped lubricate the moving parts of an engine while also cooling it down. The evolution of synthetic oil has increased the prominence of oil in engines. The synthetic oil that is used today also helps prevent engine components from wear and tear, avoid acid build-up, resist corrosion, and maintain viscosity. 

70-90% of engine oil has base oil, and the remaining 10-30% of it has additives. The base oil is generally crude oil or natural gas, while the following section covers the additives. 

Additives used in engine oil

  • Corrosion inhibitors form a protective film over the engine parts and help prevent rust formation. 
  • Antifreeze additives prevent the oil from freezing and maintain its fluidity in cold weather and icy temperatures. 
  • Antioxidants prevent impurities and dust from stocking up on the engine. 
  • Foam inhibitors prevent foam and bubble formation when the oil is pumped into the engine. 

Key Functions of engine oil

Lubrication

A mineral oil lubricant, an additive in engine oil, reduces the friction between the two moving parts that constantly come in contact with each other. This reduces the wear of components and puts off the heat generated, increasing the life span of engines. 

Corrosion resistance

Corrosion normally occurs in the space around car engines. In the long run, this impacts the working of the engine. As engine oils have additives with corrosion inhibitors, they resist the formation of corrosion and prevent the engine from rusting. 

Cools the engine

When vehicles start and engines begin to function, they heat up. Engine oil cools down the engine and transfers the heat outside. Engine oil is responsible for reducing around 40% of the engine’s heat and maintains the engine temperature at a constant level. 

Removes dirt and contaminant

When the engine functions, contaminants, impurities, and dirt can hamper the engine’s functioning. The engine oil flows to suspend the dirt and contaminants and prevent them from coming in touch with the components of the engine. 

Enhances engine performance and functionality

Engine oil fills the space that exists between the piston and cylinder in the engine. This prevents leakages and improves the engine’s performance and functionality. 

Importance of periodic oil change. 

A lot of times, people think it is normal to skip or postpone an oil change. But if you do not change your oil periodically, it could produce damaging effects on the engine and vehicle. Though the oil used by these are highly efficient, their core purpose remains the same. Engine oil forms a thick layer after a certain period and becomes a tar-like textured substance called engine sludge. 

The engine sludge whirls around the engine and reduces the ability of oil to clean. This sludge eventually damages the engine and has to be changed. To remove the sludge and to keep the engine running, a periodic oil change is a must. Otherwise, the sludge has to be removed and drained mechanically. 

Is it ok to add oil instead of going for an oil change?

This is one of the most spoken-about subjects and a common question that pops into our minds every now and then. When you add oil to the engine, you are essentially adding new oil to the old oil. The old oil still remains. This would lower the performance and abilities of the new oil. Usually, the new oil has a honey colour and a flowy texture. When you add this oil to the old one, it forms a thick layer instead of flowing freely. 

When we do an fully synthetic engine oil change, we also replace the oil filter. But when you add the oil instead of making a change, the filter also remains unchanged. So, the dirt and impurities in the filter move along with the new oil to other parts of the engine and damage it.

In case you are stuck outside and your vehicle isn’t allowing you to drive back home, it is normal to add oil instead of changing it. Otherwise, make sure that you go for an oil change periodically. 

Conclusion

Engine oil lubricates the parts of the engine and remains one of the most important parts of your car and other vehicles. Make it a habit not to miss oil changes. We are a lubricant oil manufacturers in coimbatore, proividing Hydraulic Oil, Gear Oil, Engine Oil, Lubricating Oil and Greases Etc.

FAQ

The key purpose of engine oil is to lubricate the engine and its parts. It helps run the vehicle smoothly, reduces friction, and prevents engine components from wear and tear.

There are several types of engine oil – fully synthetic engine oil, synthetic blend engine oil, mineral oil or conventional engine oil. Mineral oil is cheaper when compared to synthetic engine oil or synthetic blend engine oil. But synthetic engine oil works the best when it comes to performance as it has powerful additives. When you use mineral oil, you need to do an oil change sooner than you do with synthetic engine oil.

The oil system in a vehicle has the following parts

Oil sump – Stores the oil

Oil galleries – Transports oil throughout the engine.

Oil filter – Removes impurities.

Oil pump – keeps the oil in movement across the engine. 

The old oil degrades the performance of the newly added oil and distorts the intended purpose. When you keep adding new oil to the old oil, it impacts the performance of the engine. 

The important purpose of engine oil is to ensure the lubrication of parts in the engine and let it move seamlessly. This reduces the wear and tear of the engine, resists corrosion, and prevents sludge from stocking up in the engine. 

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