

One of the most common ways of looking at oil is as mineral, semi-synthetic or synthetic. This then cools as it flows around the engine, reducing engine temperatures.īe sure to check out our guide to the best engine oil in 2023. It does this by transferring the heat away from the component parts into the oil. Modern oils contain various detergents that actually clean the internal surfaces of your engine while in use. The second function oil has is that it cleans your engine too. Oil performs this function by providing a barrier between the metallic surfaces inside your engine that allows each part to operate smoothly without generating heat and wear through metal-to-metal contact. The first and most obvious of the three is lubrication against wear. Generally speaking, oil has three main functions in looking after your engine. Or, by using a grade of oil that is simply not up to the job. After all, many expensive engine failures can be traced back to owners to not maintaining the correct oil levels during car maintenance, leading to oil starvation. One of the easiest ways to do that is by not only using the right oil, but by ensuring that vital fluid is kept at the correct levels and in tip-top condition too.

The chances are, if you’re reading this engine oil guide, it’s our guess that you want to look after your car as best you can. Let’s find out more about this liquid gold in our engine oil guide. Not only does it affect your car’s performance, it can also have a massive effect on its reliability and, ultimately, your wallet. Obviously there's a hugh safety margin there.Engine oil is the lifeblood of your motor. When you put those low operational viscosities in context, running a typical 0W/5W-20 in a vehicle on the street that may never see oil temp's even as high as 212F makes one wonder what all the fuss is about with light oils.īTW, a 2.6cP 20wt oil will have a HTHSV at 100C of about 5cP. OP will drop below the recommended 50 psi minimum under such conditions.Īnother example are the Chrysler SRT8 V8s ( something like 400 hp), spec' oil PU 5W-40 HTHSV 3.6cP but likely 3.4cPĪt best in service that can run 300F oil temp's without issue. The spec' M1 5W-30 with a virgin HTHSV 3.1cP but likely more like 2.9cP in service can withstand oil temp's of 260F without issue. One example is the Chevy Corvette ZO-06 (505 hp). That said, there are plenty of examples where even running the spec' oil can allow very low operating viscosities with the OP below spec'. Anyway he did and was delighted with it although he has now switched to RL 0W-20 for the normal TBN levels and longer drain intervals.Īs I always say, is you can maintain normal oil pressure then you're not running an oil too light. I agree but it's a good place to start and it gets one thinking if you're using an significantly heavier oil than the chart would suggest as necessary.Ī track buddy of mine with a race tuned Miata (230 hp) had been using a heavy 40wt and was very reluctant to try their recommended XP1 5W-20 although in reality it is likely a light 30wt oil. "Built" engines that are operated at higher speeds, with more consistant ability to move heat into the airflow are able to run thinner, as there is less variability in their operational regimes. Which defies the table, in giving what makes more sense IMO, that a crate motor is larger clearanced, rev limited, thicker oil. The chart is a little limiting, in that it doesn't describe how the power was obtained, how many cylinders, how big, how many bearings, what sizes and clearances. To drive to nearest town, put 65MPH for 50 mins, and duplicate the gear changes each end.

Thinking it through, I'm more in favour now of my running 5W-30s in my DDs.start, 16 gear changes, 65MPH (2800RPM) for 10 mins, 5 gear changes, repeat backwards. The thing with lubrication is that increase the revs, and you need a lower viscosity, decrease the clearances, and you need a lower viscosity.Ī typical DD will see lots of time at 750RPM (low load), then a period of reasonably low speed high(ish) load acceleration to some sort of moderate speed every minute or so with traffic and lights etc.Sprint will be cycling from 4,000-8,000RPM for tens of minutes at a time per "start"/equent OCIs, and frequent rebuilds comparatively.
