Think of your car’s engine as an athlete who works hard all the time. Just like athletes need lube to keep their joints moving easily, your engine needs motor oil to keep all of its moving parts from rubbing against each other. But adding more oil to the engine takes a little more skill than drinking a water bottle during halftime.
What is Car Oil and Why It’s Important
Car oil is made up of a special mix of base oil and chemicals. The base oil makes a layer that is easy to slide over metal parts, and the additives improve function in different ways. This is how important it is broken down:
- Friction Reduction: Oil keeps moving parts from rubbing against each other too much, which stops too much wear and tear. Think of it as a tiny shield that keeps the important parts of your engine safe.
- Heat Dissipation: When the engine is running, it makes a huge amount of heat. As a heat transfer agent, oil moves heat away from important parts and keeps them from getting too hot.
- Protection Against Corrosion: Oil creates a shield that stops corrosion caused by water and waste products from burning.
Cleaning: Detergents in oil help keep dirt and other contaminants in suspension, so they don’t build up and damage engine parts.
Lubrication System Parts and How They Function:
The lubrication system is a complicated web of tubes that move oil around the engine. These people are important:
- Oil Pump: This is the most important part of the system. It forces oil from the cylinder into the engine.
- Oil Filter: The oil filter watches over the oil and removes dirt and other impurities before they reach the engine parts.
- Oil Passages and Galleries: These are the passageways that bring pressurised oil to parts of the engine like the pistons, bearings, and camshafts.
Symptoms of Oil Trouble
Several signs can point to problems with oil:
- Low Oil Level: If the oil level is below the lowest mark on the dipstick, it could cause the engine to get hot, squeal more, and break. You may also see a light on your panel that says “low oil pressure.”
- Overfilled Oil: Putting in too much oil can make it foam, stop the oil from moving properly, and damage the parts in the engine.
- Dirty Oil: Oil breaks down and stops working well over time. Symptoms include louder engine noise, worse performance, and trouble starting the engine.
Maintaining a Healthy Engine
You can become a car care champion if you know how to check the oil properly, why oil is important, and what part the lubrication system plays. Remember to check your owner’s manual for specific advice on what oil to use and how often to do upkeep. Two of the best ways to make sure your car’s engine lasts a long time and stays healthy are to change the oil regularly and use the right oil.
