Are you using the right motor oil on your vehicles? What about the right grease to optimize the performance of your machinery? Lubricants play an integral part in the efficiency of a piece of equipment or vehicle, but with so many different oils, greases, and lubes on the market, purchasing and utilizing the correct product for your equipment can be daunting. Join us in exploring the different lubricants, their applications, and which ones you need to operate with the greatest efficiency!
What Are Lubricants and Motor Oil?
Vehicle lubricant is best known as motor or engine oil. The endless selections of motor oil you find in your local stores have specific purposes that improve your vehicle’s internal functions. Find out more about the purpose of motor oil below.
Why Do You Need Motor Oil?
No matter the machinery you operate, engine oil is a vital tool to make their functions run smoothly. Without the proper lubrication, machinery engines and internal components can rub against each other and cause the vehicle to wear down with each operation. Using industrial lubricant reduces the friction of these internal parts due to the motor oil flowing through the engine.
Types of Motor Oil and Applications
Using motor oil in your vehicle can happen at different intervals to ensure a longer life span for your vehicle’s parts. Before purchasing motor oil, you will need to find the type of oil that fits your vehicle’s type and mileage.
Motor oils use a system developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), to classify the oil fluids’ viscosity. Viscosity is a quantity expressing the magnitude of internal friction, as measured by the force per unit area resisting a flow in which parallel layers unit distance apart has a unit speed relative to one another. In other words, it is the resistance a fluid gives to tension. A low viscosity is something like water, while a higher viscosity is something more like honey. The viscosity grade of lube oil is determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Choosing the right motor oil for your vehicle is vital to avoid damaging the internal parts. Spend time getting to know the various motor oil types to understand your vehicle or machinery needs better. Take a look at the following guide for types of motor oil and when to use them in your vehicle.
Synthetic Motor Oil
Chemically engineered synthetic motor oil contains molecules that are more uniform in shape compared to conventional motor oil. These molecular changes contain far fewer impurities and have better properties to increase their performance in extreme temperatures. If you live in an area with a hotter or colder than average climate, you can use synthetic motor oil in your vehicle to run smoothly despite these severe weather conditions.
There are several advantages to choosing synthetic motor oil over conventional oil, including:
- Taking short trips in your vehicle without the oil breaking down too quickly.
- Protecting your engine from strain in extreme weather climates or hauling heavy items.
- Preventing sludge buildup in older vehicles, increasing the life span of your engine.
- Using a more environmentally friendly product compared to conventional motor oil.
- Reducing engine wear in colder temperatures when vehicle startups are slower.
- Increasing your engine’s life span in year-round hot temperatures.
If synthetic motor oil sounds like the right choice for your vehicle, make sure to check the owner’s manual to see if synthetic oil is necessary. Some vehicles specify the need for synthetic motor oil, while others may suggest using other types of lubricants. Spend some time getting to know if your vehicle could benefit from synthetic oil or if you could save yourself the increased cost with a different oil type.
Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
is a mixture of conventional basic oil and synthetic to formulate a fluid that is resistant to oxidation. The combination of different oils means you need to replace the lubricant every 7,500 miles compared to synthetic oil’s recommended 13,000-15,000 mile change.
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual may recommend synthetic blend motor oil over complete synthetic based on your engine type.
Conventional Oil
Formed in many grades, conventional motor oils are best for simple engine designs and use. Conventional motor oil is the standard for older vehicles, and it derives from crude oil. Conventional lubricants’ thickness provides more protection to older engine models with the slower internal flow.
Many enjoy the lower costs of conventional oil compared to synthetic options if their older vehicle continues to show promise for years of operation down the road.
High-Mileage Motor Oil
Now that you have an idea of the oil your owner’s manual suggests, you can go the extra mile with your choice of high-mileage motor oil. This motor oil is specially formulated for older and newer vehicles that have a recorded 75,000 miles or more, thus giving the high-mileage name to this type of motor oil. It is engineered with unique additive benefits that prevent oil leaks and reduce oil burn-off, which are more common in older engines.
High-mileage motor oil is a great choice if your vehicle is prone to sludge buildup or needs extra help with oxidation performance. The best part about choosing high-mileage motor oil is the versatility this solution offers! You can select high-mileage synthetic, blend, or conventional oil to fit your owner’s manual recommendation.
Multigrade vs. Monograde Motor Oil
Engineering separates motor oils into two different categories, multigrade oils and monograde oils. Multigrade oils must fulfill two viscosity grades, such as the two numbers in 10W-40. The 10 represents the low-temperature viscosity, and the number 40 refers to the higher end of the temperature scale. Currently, most automotive engine oils are multigrade oils. Oils for restricted usage, such as seasonally used engines like lawnmowers, are often monograde oils.
Order Lubricants From SC Fuels
Finding the right lubricant for your vehicle can take time and research. SC Fuels can make your search easier. We understand that various circumstances can determine the type of motor oil you choose. That is why we offer our brand of Performance 500 high-quality motor oil that fits a wide selection of engines for longer life spans.
Our oil works for all types of machines, including automotive, industrial, and agricultural engines, with guidelines on how to choose the best oil option for your vehicle. Our qualified and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect lubricant option for your machines and help you order your selection online.
Contact us today to find motor oil that benefits your machinery to put you back on the road.
