As the winter approaches and the holiday season kicks in, it's time to ensure that your car is all decked up to face the challenges of the cold weather. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the selection of the right engine oil for your car. In this blog, we will understand the role of engine oil, the types of engine oils used, what winter affects the engine oil and how you can choose the perfect engine oil for your car.
As it's said, the battery is like an organ of your car, and so is the battery oil. That is like your vehicle's lifeblood, ensuring that all the moving parts under the hood operate smoothly. Its primary functions are lubricating engine components, reducing friction, and preventing wear and tear. During winters, when the temperature drops significantly, car engine oil becomes even more critical in preventing the engine from getting damaged due to cold starts, ensuring optimal performance.
Many engine oils are available in the market, and not all are the same. Choosing the right type is essential for your winter driving. Conventional, synthetic and semi-synthetic oils each have their advantages:
- Conventional Oil: Made from crude oil, it is cost-effective but may thicken in frigid temperatures.
- Synthetic Oil: Chemically engineered for superior performance, this oil maintains stability in a wide temperature range that is ideal for winter driving.
- Semi-Synthetic Oil: A mix of conventional and synthetic oils, it perfectly balances performance and affordability.
- High-Mileage Oil: This oil is formulated for older vehicles and contains additives to reduce wear on ageing engines.
- Viscosity Index (VI)-Improved Oil: Contains additives enhancing viscosity stability, suitable for maintaining consistent performance in varied temperatures.
- Multi-Grade Oil: Designed for adequate lubrication in cold and hot conditions, with the "W" indicating winter suitability.
As winter arrives, there come challenges like sub-zero temperatures, which cause an impact on the viscosity of the engine oil.
What is viscosity in engine oil?
Viscosity in engine oil means its resistance to flow or its thickness. It measures how easily the oil pours at a particular temperature. In cold weather, it's essential to have engine oil with low viscosity to ensure that it flows easily and provides sufficient lubrication during cold starts.
Regular oil changes are crucial for maintaining engine health, and this is especially true in winter. Cold weather can accelerate oil degradation, making it less effective. It's recommended to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding oil change intervals. Additionally, frequent short trips in winter can lead to more rapid oil deterioration, so be mindful of your driving habits.
Low Viscosity: Low viscosity is ideal when looking for engine oil for your car in winter, ensuring easy engine startup even in freezing temperatures.
Cold Temperature Ratings: Look for oils with low hard temperature ratings, indicating their ability to flow and lubricate effectively in cold conditions.
Additive Package: Quality winter engine oils have additives that improve cold weather performance, providing better protection against wear and tear.
Synthetic Formulation: Synthetic oils maintain fluidity in colder temperatures, offering superior protection during winter driving.
When it comes to maintaining your car's health during the winter season, you should always trust the experts at Bosch Car Service. With a legacy of a century, Bosch Car Service has become a reliable name for car servicing. With a comprehensive range of services, from regular check-ups to engine oil changes, Bosch Car Service makes sure that your vehicle is ready to face extreme temperature conditions. Their conveniently located workshops make finding a reliable car servicing centre near you easy. And if you prefer the ease of online bookings, Bosch Car Service provides a user-friendly online car service booking system, allowing you to schedule your car repair and servicing from the comfort of your home.