Engine Oil

Engine oil plays an essential role in the upkeep of your car's engine components, ensuring their optimal performance and keeping things running smoothly. But what exactly is engine oil, and what does it do?

What Is Engine Oil?

Engine oil, also sometimes called engine lubricant or motor oil, serves a singular purpose—to keep your vehicle’s engine running smoothly. A typical oil will be a blend of base oil and specific additive compounds, each added for a specific reason. These additives are used for lubricating engine components, cooling the engine, cleansing and trapping dust, reducing friction, and protecting against wear and tear. However, modern engine oils do more than that, and can also enhance engine performance and fuel efficiency.

The Role of Engine Oil

Historically, motor oil was only used for lubricating engine parts. Modern engine oils go far further and are used to:

  • Protect the engine against wear and tear
  • Reduce friction in moving engine parts
  • Remove dirt, dust and other contaminants from the engine
  • Cool engine components
  • Improve performance and fuel efficiency
  • Reduce corrosion

Changing Your Engine Oil

As oil is so important in keeping your vehicle engine running well, it is essential that it is changed regularly, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You’ll find information online or in the handbook about how often you need to change the oil, but if you notice any of the following issues, it could be

Five Indicators That Your Vehicle Requires an Engine Oil Change

Engine oil plays a pivotal role in your engine's health and demands periodic maintenance and refills to ensure optimal performance. Regardless of whether your motor oil is derived from crude oil or synthetic sources, you will eventually need to change it. Here are five signs that signify your engine oil could need to be changed:

  1. Engine noise – if an engine is properly lubricated, it runs quietly. If you’re hearing rumbles or knocks, it could be caused by low oil levels.
  2. Smell – if you can smell a strong oil scent inside the car, you might have a leak. Alternatively, it could be that the temperature of the engine is getting too high as the oil isn’t working. Check for a leak, then replace the oil and filter.
  3. Exhaust smoke – emissions from the exhaust are perfectly normal, but if you start to see bluish tinged smoke or detect a burning smell, that is an indication oil is being burned and should be investigated.
  4. Oil colour change – drivers are advised to check oil levels regularly, using the dipstick. If you see the oil becoming very dark in colour this could indicate that it has become contaminated with dirt, and an oil change is recommended.
  5. Increased wear – most engine oils have to be changed every 7-10,000 miles. If you are covering a high mileage, missing the oil change might mean damage to your engine.

Here at CheckMOT we can help you source the right oil for your vehicle, whether you are driving a small city car or large truck.