The status of the oil in your engine is the “crown jewel” that must be valued. From quantity to last oil change; from type to regular or synthetic.
Here are our answers to several basic questions when it comes to oil in a diesel engine.
How often should you do an oil change?
It depends. Best practice is to RTFM, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and adjust according to the type of service the engine will see. However, if you’re doing a lot of city traffic or towing around a trailer you should change the oil sooner.
Is it difficult to do a “DIY” – do it yourself oil change?
Truth be told you can change your own oil but it can be very expensive if you do not have the proper equipment, attire and know how. And, if you include your own labor costs, you are probably better off having a professional do it for you.
What oil brands are better to use for diesel engines?
Using quality diesel engine oil is critical. Why? Your engine stays in top condition to perform at its best with good oil.
Here are the 7 best diesel engine oils. Click here. https://youtu.be/44otPWpFpKU
What does changing your engine oil do for your vehicle?
An oil change consists of removing the old oil and replacing it with new, fresh oil. Doing this prevents most (though not all) metal-to-metal contact inside your engine. Over time, the heat and pressure of simply doing its job causes oil to eventually break down, making for it being less effective on the job.
Regular vs Synthetic Oil. Which is better?
Without trying to put an end to a discussion that has no end, let’s look at a few facts. The oil we put in our engines serves multiple purposes. It coats the metal parts inside and allows them to run on a thin layer of lubrication thereby reducing friction and wear. It also works as an additional coolant, neutralizes acids, captures and transports combustion by-product particles to the oil filter, and employs solvents to keep the engine clean. Motor enthusiasts love to debate the merits of one oil over another and when someone brings up the “synthetic vs regular oil” issue, the conversation is off to the races with “experts” pressing advantages and disadvantages with knowing passion.
According to Topspeedracker.com, “The reality is, there are degrees of ‘rightness’ and ‘wrongness’ depending on what you’re driving and how you’re driving it. The oil you use in your family car (even if you’ve tuned it up to breath a little life into that grocery store run) isn’t going to be the same oil that goes into a racing engine. In order to choose the right oil, it helps to understand some of the key differences between synthetic and regular.”
“Regular oils” are mineral-based products refined from crude oil taken from the ground. Over the past 20 years these lubricants have been refined even further, particularly in the area of viscosity enhancers. This means modern oils flow better over a range of temperatures. This, in combination with engines that sport tighter clearances and better machining, allow for the use of thin oils that both reduce friction and improve fuel efficiency.
“Synthetic oils”, which have been around since the 1970s, have the same natural ingredients as “regular oils” but they are distilled in a chemical plant where the concept of refining goes techno-geek. Try wrapping your head around the concept of “synthesized-hydrocarbon molecular chains” and base fluids including “polyalphaolefin, synthetic esters, and alkylated aromatics.” What the heck do all these terms mean? In plain English, they are the engineered basis for the synthetic oil qualities listed below.
Synthetic oils:
- are all season and have multi-viscosity properties, some flowing as much as seven times faster than regular oil.
- can stand extremes of engine temperature (some above 400°F) more efficiently.
- can boost horsepower more effectively than thinner regular oils.
- can be used for intervals as long as 25,000 miles before requiring an oil change.
- contain fewer contaminants like sulfur, wax, and other elements that contribute to sludge build-up.
Of course, synthetic oils are more expensive and there are some things they don’t do, including:
- eliminate the need for oil changes.
- or eliminate engine wear.
Please contact us and we will be more than happy to help you with your oil issues.