Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, it uses oil. Not only does the right oil ensure your car performs optimally, but it also prevents damage to the engine. For optimal protection and performance, motor oil companies use additives in their products.
Benefits of Car Oil
As mentioned, motor oil helps an automobile perform. At the same time, it prevents damage to the engine. That’s because as the oil seeps into spaces, it prevents critical components from rubbing together. Those include valves, bearings, pistons, cylinder walls, and more. In addition, oil has a cooling effect on the engine, and it helps to keep it clean.
What’s Motor Oil Additive?
Although motor oil benefits your vehicle, it still needs a boost. That’s why makers of engine oil include additives in the formula. These chemical compounds enhance the performance of the oil. For instance, they improve lubrication, modify viscosity, and prevent the buildup of engine deposits. In addition, oil additives stop corrosion.
It doesn’t matter if your vehicle uses a petroleum-based or synthetic oil. Today, it’s common to find additives in every motor oil product. On average, the additives account for five percent of the oil that goes into your car’s engine.
Most automakers recommend getting the oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the type of vehicle. While that’s still a good rule to follow, additives make it possible to go without an oil change even longer.
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Types of Motor Oil Additives
Thanks to advanced technology, companies that produce motor oil use different types of additives. Here are some of the most common:
- Viscosity Index Enhancers – Of all the different additives found in motor oil, this is perhaps the most important. That’s because it protects the engine when it’s cold or hot. As motor oil warms up, viscosity drops. With this additive, motor oil thickens to the appropriate viscosity, based on the temperature of the engine.
- Detergents – If you drive an older automobile, you want to avoid using motor oil that contains detergents. However, for a newer model, this additive helps flush out accumulated sludge. Also, it works to neutralize impurities found in motor oil.
- Corrosion Inhibitor – This is another important additive found in motor oil. As you know, the temperature of your car’s engine changes, based on outside elements and driving conditions. As a result, moisture can build up, which can then cause corrosion. This additive prevents that from happening.
- Antioxidants – When exposed to oxygen, motor oil usually degrades. To prevent that, motor oil makers add antioxidants. Not only do they stop the process of degrading, but they also increase the life of the oil itself.
If you change the oil in your car, choose a quality motor oil that contains the right additives. Otherwise, you take the risk of the engine developing serious problems. That’s because critical components aren’t protected. On the other hand, you can visit Doug Henry Buick GMC in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where a certified technician will change the oil for you.