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FAQs
Do small higher revving engines run hotter than larger engines?
Not necessarily. Although some small engines do tend to run hotter than than most larger ones, engine temperatures depend more on the number of accessories operating, vehicle weight, driving conditions, ambient temperatures and the design and condition of the cooling system.
Are SAE 20W-50 or SAE 10W-40 grade motor oils best for smaller engines?
No. General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and most other manufacturers have not recommended these grades for almost two decades. Also, neither SAE 10W-30 nor SAE 10W-40 oils is energy conserving. The vast majority of auto manufacturers recommend SAE 5W-30 or SAE 5W-20 grade for new cars, but check and follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
I broke in my engine on Brand X. Can I switch brands?
Yes. First, be sure, though, that during the break-in period you use the same high quality (API SL or SM, or ILSAC GF-4) oil that the manufacturer recommends. Special break-in oils are not needed or recommended. Second, you can change the brand of oil used any time; just continue to use the same high quality level recommended by the engine manufacturer.
Can you mix brands of motor oil?
Mixing brands is not the best practice because there may be differences in the additive systems among various brands, and the oil mixture may not function as efficiently as desired. However, no serious problems will occur if you must add a different brand of equivalent quality between oil changes. It is very important to maintain proper oil level.
Can motor oils cause sludge?
Poor quality oils can contribute to sludge. Sludge deposits are formed by a combination of dirt, soot, partially burned fuel, oxidized motor oil, leaked coolant and condensed water vapor produced during combustion. These harmful deposits are usually present, but a good motor oil keeps them separated and in suspension so they are drained with the oil and not deposited in the engine. Using a good quality motor oil and changing it at the recommended intervals, will help prevent sludge from forming in your vehicle.
Can paraffinic base oils cause wax buildup and sludge?
No. All high quality petroleum motor oils are made from paraffinic base oils. In spite of its name, “paraffin” does not mean candle wax. The stability of paraffin molecules makes paraffinic base oils more resistant to the chemical changes that can take place in an engine than other types of base oils. That means less sludge, varnish and corrosive wear with a high quality paraffinic base motor oil.
Do I have to use my car manufacturer’s branded oil to protect my warranty?
No. A warranty cannot generally be tied to the use of a specific brand of oil; however, it can be tied to the use of a specific oil quality level. Use of a lesser quality of oil is interpreted to be abuse, and abuse is not covered by the warranty.
Will my engine benefit if I use supplemental additives?
No. Performance standards for today’s high quality oils were established with major input from the engine manufacturers to ensure that oils meeting these standards provide the protections required under all engine operating conditions. Supplemental additives are not needed and are specifically not recommended by almost all vehicle manufactures because they dilute the additives already present, reduce the quality of the motor oil, contain materials that can harm your engine or emissions system and may endanger your engine warranty.
Are car manufacturers conservative in recommending “normal” oil change intervals and can I safely extend my “normal” car manufacturer change intervals?
“Normal” oil change intervals referred to in owners’ manuals are not conservative today. Engines are running hotter and have become more demanding of the oil. Although some manufacturers have lengthened their oil change interval recommendations based on recent upgrades in oil quality, most manufacturers have maintained their previous recommendations. By the definitions in most owners’ manuals, the majority of us drive our cars in “severe” service for which change intervals are about half as long as the normal change intervals. Stop and go, short-trip and around-town driving create very severe conditions for engine oil. We advise against exceeding the vehicle manufacturer engine oil drain interval recommendations for your particular type of service.
Are some motor oils produced from better raw material?
Not necessarily. High quality mineral oils can be produced from petroleum feedstocks by a number of different refining processes. Motor oil manufacturers carefully select additives that will provide the desired performance according to the base oil used. Engine oil formulations must complete rigorous testing to obtain an American Petroleum Institute (API) license. Always look for the API “donut” and “starburst” on quart containers of motor oils. These symbols mean you are buying motor oils that meet the requirements set by the API.
The “Energy Conserving” label on oil is just a marketing gimmick and I will not see fuel savings?
False. The API has set specific fuel economy standards for those engine oils recommended by most vehicle manufacturers. In order for an oil to be labeled “Energy Conserving,” it must show a specific improvement in fuel economy over a standard reference oil in the same engine, operated under the same controlled conditions. Only those oils meeting a specific level of improvement over the reference oil can be licensed as Energy Conserving. Because the fuel economy improvements are likely to vary, it may be difficult for you to see the fuel savings provided by Energy Conserving oils with just one or two fill-ups. However, over a longer period of time, most consumers will experience fuel savings by using Energy Conserving oils.
Is Brand X motor oil best because my engine shows higher oil pressure?
The viscosity of engine oil has a direct effect on engine oil pressure: Oils with higher viscosity may show higher oil pressure. Therefore, your engine may show higher oil pressure when using a viscosity grade higher than what is recommended. Oil pressure is also affected by temperature. Shortly after start-up, your engine may show higher oil pressure than after the engine has warmed up. You may also notice higher oil pressures after start-up during the winter than during the summer. High quality oils of the same viscosity grade would be expected to give very similar engine oil pressures under similar operating conditions.
Can small diesel engines use passenger car motor oils?
No. Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines produce soot that contaminates the engine oil during operation. Diesel engine oils are specially formulated to handle soot contamination.
Is there a benefit to using synthetic motor oils?
Yes. Synthetic motor oils may enable longer oil drain intervals under some operating conditions, for example, highway driving; yet not under other more severe conditions, including short trip and stop-and-go driving. It is always best to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations regarding oil changes.
Will high mileage oils help my engine?
Yes. High mileage oils are specifically formulated to help re-condition seals and increase protection against sludge formation.
Is the color of motor oil an indication of quality?
No. The color of motor oil has no bearing on performance quality.
Is used, black motor oil an indication of quality?
No. Black motor oil is a signal that the oil is doing its job by suspending harmful products of combustion, which caused it to turn dark. If your used motor oil is clear and bright, it is probably not working correctly.
Do driving conditions affect oil change intervals?
It depends. In certain situations such as cold weather operation and driving in sand or dust, engines don’t reach or may possibly exceed normal operating temperatures. This can hinder motor oil performance, increase oil contamination and the formation of corrosive materials, and shorten the useful life of engine oil. You should adhere to your car manufacturer’s oil change recommendations for these driving conditions.
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