Automotive d-i-yers have gone far beyond simple car care and appearance projects, graduating into full-scale maintenance tasks that include such things as tune-ups, oil changes, etc. With the available product knowledge and easy-to-use products and kits, the range of projects that d-i-yers are willing and able to tackle continues to expand.
- MOTOR OILS
One of the simplest projects is an oil change. When selecting a motor oil, a consumer should understand its designator. SAE (Society of American Engineers) ratings indicate the viscosity of the oil. The most commonly used oil for automobiles is 10-, 20- and 30-weight or allweather combinations. A rating of 10 represents a thinner oil than a 30-rated oil. The thin oil is recommended for winter driving, where cold weather causes the oil to become thick and sluggish. A 30-rating oil is heavier and is applicable in warm climates. The designator “W” in a rating indicates that the oil has been tested for viscosity levels at specific cold temperatures.
An oil rated 10W-40 is considered an all-weather oil with sufficient viscosity for both summer and winter driving. A “CC” or “CD” label on an oil indicates that it is for diesel engines. It should also be noted that high-compression diesel engines usually require more frequent oil changes than their gasoline counterparts.
Synthetic motor oils are higher priced than petroleum products but extend change intervals up to 25,000 miles,according to some manufacturers. Synthetics can operate under a wide temperature range since the molecular chemistry is specifically developed at the outset rather than relying solely on refining procedures and additives to fortify a petroleum-based product. However, additives are still used in synthetics.
Generally, synthetics lubricate better, thus reducing engine wear; they are purported to enhance performance and economy. Two of the major drawbacks are increased price, which can run up to four times the price of conventional oils, and educating consumers to alter their oil-change intervals.
Rerefined oils are used oils reprocessed for consumption. Although rerefined or recycled oil is almost equal in quality to virgin oil lubricants, the consumer will have to be educated to eliminate the stigma of used oil.
An oil rated 10W-40 is considered an all-weather oil with sufficient viscosity for both summer and winter driving. A “CC” or “CD” label on an oil indicates that it is for diesel engines. It should also be noted that high-compression diesel engines usually require more frequent oil changes than their gasoline counterparts.
Synthetic motor oils are higher priced than petroleum products but extend change intervals up to 25,000 miles,according to some manufacturers. Synthetics can operate under a wide temperature range since the molecular chemistry is specifically developed at the outset rather than relying solely on refining procedures and additives to fortify a petroleum-based product. However, additives are still used in synthetics.
Generally, synthetics lubricate better, thus reducing engine wear; they are purported to enhance performance and economy. Two of the major drawbacks are increased price, which can run up to four times the price of conventional oils, and educating consumers to alter their oil-change intervals.
Rerefined oils are used oils reprocessed for consumption. Although rerefined or recycled oil is almost equal in quality to virgin oil lubricants, the consumer will have to be educated to eliminate the stigma of used oil.
- DETERGENT OIL
Detergent oils contain additives known as
detergent dispersants, designed to suspend
combustion by-products and keep these byproducts
from settling on engine parts.
Automobiles built since about 1970 require
a high-detergent oil, designated by the
American Petroleum Institute Service
Classification SE or SF for gasoline engines
and API Service Classification CC and CD for
diesel-powered engines.
Nondetergent oils are classified under
API Service Classifications SA and SB.
These indicate a straight mineral oil-type
formulation and may have some rust oxidation
additives added.
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