How Much Do You Know About Motor Oil?

This is the biggest mistake. Motor oil is not simply engine oil. Other components, such as the transmission and brakes, use their own kind of oil, as well.

Here's another misconception. Engine oil is not going to increase the efficiency or performance of your vehicle. It simply protects the engine from extreme conditions​.

This is so important to remember. Motor oils have different ratings and components that make them suitable for different uses in your car. Be careful when changing any oil yourself, because you don't want to get it wrong.

There are three types of motor oils. These include mineral oil, semi-synthetic and synthetic. Check manufacturer instructions for choosing the right oil.

High speed definitely stresses your vehicle more than low speed. That's why it's important to always check the oil if you're running frequently at high speed.

The Dark Oil Myth is, indeed, a myth. It doesn't mean that it's time to change the oil, but still make sure that you're changing it at the right intervals.

Either of these are sufficient for knowing when it's time to change your oil. Set a specific number of miles or number of months to get it done.

Service intervals can either be determined by your owner's manual or your mechanic. Both can be trusted.

Not only is the oil important, but also the filters are important. Be sure to replace the filters as needed, along with the oil.

Changing your oil more frequently isn't going to make a huge difference. Only change the oil if it benefits your vehicle.

Non-synthetic oils should be changed just about every 3,000 miles. But keep in mind, this only applies to non-synthetic.

Changing oil at home is no easy task. Today's cars make it more difficult than ever, especially when it comes to changing the filter.

Although changing oil is quite hard, topping off fluids and checking levels is easy. Be sure to watch for when levels drop down.

With the modern, fuel-efficient engines, oil formulations have evolved to suit their needs. Today's motor oil is ideal for higher heat and RPMs.

You bet that modern oils have additives. These are designed to reduce wear, maintain viscosity and suspend contaminants.

Modern oil has different changing intervals from the past. Although the 3,000-mile rule is a good thing to keep in mind, still, not all oil needs to be changed that frequently.

Sludge is the number-one reason to change your oil. Sludge formation can ruin the oil in your car.

Basically, modern detergent oils simply wash contaminant particles, and then they suspend them in the oil. The particles are not removed until the oil is changed.

When the oil becomes oversaturated with particles, some of these particles begin to settle on the engine parts. This is sludge formation.

The combustion stage is when most of the contaminants are formed in your engine. This is when air and gasoline are mixed, then ignited.

No, synthetic oils do not prevent contaminants. They're a bit better at suspending particles, but they don't prolong oil changes all that much​.

If you have a lot of sludge buildup, you definitely don't want to dislodge it at home. It's not good for your engine to remove it all at once.

Oil analysis is probably the most precise way of gauging when it's time to get an oil change. This should always be done by a professional.

You can consult a mechanic about this. But generally, the automotive industry is telling you to change your oil a bit sooner than is necessary​. That being said, there's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution.

Those who change their oil more frequently than necessary because they like to are known as recreational oil changers. It's understandable why a lot of guys find this process appealing.

Modern detergent oils naturally get dark in color, because they're sucking up those particles. Non-detergent oils stay lighter than detergent oils.

Dispersant is what you need to keep gunk from depositing in your oil pan. Other than that, when your oil gets dirty, it's a good sign.

In general, foreign countries have a longer changing interval. American manufacturers recommend that we change the oil in U.S. cars quite frequently.

Cars in dusty, hot conditions are definitely going to have dirtier oil. That's why not every car falls into the same service category.

A car that is constantly operating in difficult conditions is going to be in the severe service category. That means that their service interval is different​ from other cars.

U.S. and Canadian fuels have higher levels of sulphur. This can cause more oil contamination.

Synthetic oils withstand higher temperatures. They also have more base stock and less viscosity modifiers.

Today, it's smart to change your oil filter at every oil change. There is no point to changing the filter without changing the oil.

A good professional oil change should take less than 30 minutes. Professional oil changes give you legal proof of when you got it done.

It's important to always insist on the oil that is recommended in your owner's manual. If the oil change station doesn't have it, go elsewhere.