All about oil FAQs

 

Motor oil breaks down over time. When it breaks down, it loses its effectiveness and can no longer properly protect your engine.
In addition to lubricating an engine's moving parts, motor oil is designed to carry combustion byproducts away from the pistons and cylinders. It is designed to deal with the small amounts of water that form as the engine heats and cools, and to collect the dirt and dust that enter the engine through the air-intake system. It also handles acids that are formed bythe reaction between water and other contaminants. Sometimes there are even fuel leaks (fuel dilution) or coolant leaks that get into the oil system.

As a car is driven, the level of contamination in the motor oil constantly increases. The oil filter removes particles as the oil passes through the filter, but over time an oil's additives are used up and the oil itself can start to degrade (oxidize or thicken). At that point, the oil can no longer do its job and must be changed.

The rate at which contamination and additive depletion occurs depends on many variables. One of these is driving conditions, which vary greatly and have a direct effect on the useful life of the oil. Other factors include the precision of ignition, fuel injection or carburetionadjustments, air cleaner service, and the general mechanical condition of the engine.

Oil should be changed before the contamination level reaches the point where engine damage can result. Because it is difficult for the individual motorist to determine when the contamination level is too high, automobile manufacturers provide recommended oil change intervals. These change recommendations vary by model year and manufacturer. Recommended intervals and mileage limits also vary with the type of service under which a car operates. More frequent oil changes are recommended for severe service.

Engineers work to establish an optimal viscosity for an oil, based on load and speed conditions. They balance lighter –or low-viscosity –oil, which provides little resistance to motion thereby saving fuel and efficiently transferring horsepower, with a heavier –or high-viscosity –oil that resists being squeezed out of the contact area between metal surfaces, or leaking.

The complicating factor is that the viscosity of an oil varies with changes in temperature –thinner when hot, thicker when cold. At low temperatures, we need the motor oil to flow readily (not thicken too much or gel). At high temperatures, we need the motor oil to keep from becoming too thin and allowing metal-to-metal contact. Therefore, engineers developed multigrade motor oils.

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. A fluid with low viscosity flows easily and is often called "thin." Water is an example of a fluid with a relatively low viscosity. A fluid with high viscosity is often described as "thick." Maple syrup is an example of a fluid with a relatively high viscosity.

If the cloud is relatively blue or blue/black, it may indicate that oil is being burned along with the fuel. The possible cause may be either worn piston rings or an oil viscosity that is too low.

If the cloud is black, it indicates that excess fuel is being burned.

If the cloud is white, it may simply be the moisture in the cold engine and exhaust system being burned off. If there's a lot of white smoke and it continues for along time, you may have an internal coolant leak.

Engine oils are currently classified by a two-letter code. Gasoline engine oil categories start with the letter S (originally designated "Spark Ignition" engine oils, we now associate the S with "Service"). Diesel engine oil categories start with the letter C (originally designated "Compression Ignition" engine oils, we now associate the C with "Commercial").

The second letter is simply a sequential designation of improving quality levels over time. In other words, when a new industry quality level is established, the next letter of the alphabet is used (so SM replaced SN). The letters "I" and "K" were purposefully skipped to eliminate potential confusion with other commonly used designations.

The viscosity index (VI) number is a measure of the relative change in viscosity of oil over a temperature range. The HIGHER the viscosity index, the SMALLER the viscosity change over temperature. The VI is not related to the actual viscosity or SAE viscosity, but it is a measure of the rate of viscosity change.

The VI number is typically used only as an indicator. The actual performance results of low-temperature pumpability tests and high-temperature wear tests of a motor oil are better predictors of good performance in an engine.

Generally, multigrade oils (0W-40, 10W-30, etc.) will have high viscosity indexes. Monograde oils (SAE 30, 40, etc.) will have lower viscosity indexes.

Your oil warning light can come on for a number of reasons, including low oil level, a failing oil pump, a faulty oil-pressure sensor, blockage in the oil system, excessive foaming of the oil and more. In all cases, you should shut down your engine as quickly as it is safe to do so. Continuing to operate your engine with low oil pressure can result in serious engine damage.

Mobil 1 Lube Express℠ is a fast-growing branded quick lube network, so it’s easier than ever to find one near you.

Use our product locator to find your nearest location. Simply select “service center” for your search. Other authorized Mobil™ service centers will also appear in the results if a Mobil 1 Lube Express is not located near you.

Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of expensive repairs later. That’s why we created Mobil 1 Lube Express service centers: to help you keep your vehicle running in peak condition. And you can be assured that your vehicle is getting only high quality Mobil™ products available for every service, every time.

For starters, Mobil 1 Lube Express service technicians use only Mobil™ products, so you get a great selection of quality products to meet your personal needs.

Our service technicians are certified experts who have received Mobil-approved special training. That means they can take the time to explain the product differences so you can choose which ones that best fit your driving requirements and maintenance habits.

Mobil 1 Lube Express locations offer a wide range of automotive services including, but not limited to:

• Oil changes
• Auto repair
• Fuel system cleaning
• Engine treatments
• Battery installation
• Belt replacements

Please note that all services are not available at every service center. Each service center –not ExxonMobil –determines which services it offers, so available services vary.

Contact your local center to confirm services offered, hours, etc.

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