Everything from cars to snowmobiles to generators requires motor oil. In fact, all internal combustion engines use motor oil. Unfortunately, all most people know about motor oil is that they should change it in their car every so often. However, motor oil actually plays an important part in your automobile’s engine. It helps start your car, keeps engine parts lubricated, reduces friction, protects against rust and corrosion, keeps your engine parts clean, reduces combustion chamber deposits, cools your engine, and more. Needless to say, without motor oil, your engine would not run very well.
Not all motor oil is created equally though. Motor oil is graded by viscosity on a scale from 0 to 25, increasing in increments of 5. Some motor oils also feature the letter “W” alongside their numerical grade. The “W” is often thought to stand for “weight,” but actually stands for “winter.” This type of motor oil is better suited for operating in lower temperatures. Thus, it is important to check your driver’s manual so that you know, not only when to change motor oil, but also the recommended motor oil for your car.
When it comes time to change oil, most people take their car to specialized oil change places. However, it is fairly easy to change the motor oil in your car yourself. You can buy motor oil at a number of places. You can even buy motor oil online. If you buy motor oil online, you may have access to a greater selection of products than you can find locally. Buying online also allows you to ensure you get the best price possible.
If you do decide to change your oil yourself, it is important to dispose of old motor oil properly. When used motor oil is dumped improperly, it can form a scum on the top of lakes and streams. This scum stops sunlight and oxygen from entering the water, thus killing fish, frogs, plants and other forms of life. Recycling oil can actually benefit the environment as well. For example, 2 gallons of recycled oil can run the electricity of an average home for 24 hours, according to the EPA. More research here.