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TIRE WORLD Complete Auto Service & Repair Stores |
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Tire World's Tech Tips (2) click here to return to the list of Tech Tips Oil - Add Life to your Engine Have you ever wondered how many new drivers ruin their first car, not realizing the importance of oil? If we had a good teacher, one of the first things we learned was where the dipstick is and what to do with it. Stop by your local Tire World store and have us show you if no one taught you this. With a lint-free cloth or paper towel in hand, remove the dipstick and wipe it free of oil. Replace the stick, ensuring you insert it as far as it will go. This is best done with your vehicle on a level surface and after the engine has been off for at least 5 minutes. Pull it out again and note how far up the oil comes. Markings on the stick should tell you the proper range. If the level is low, add more so it comes up to the "FULL" line. If there is no oil on the stick or the level doesn't reach the "ADD OIL" mark, be sure to add more before driving. Too much oil can create excessive pressure and cause various seals to leak. Oil should be changed regularly - every 3,000 miles - because it breaks down with use and loses its ability to protect your engine. |
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When we think of oil, usually lubrication comes to mind. However, there are many functions oil performs to keep your engine running well. Yes, it lubricates the moving parts. It also cleans deposits from your engine, suspending the dirt so the oil filter can catch it. In addition, it is responsible for about a third of the cooling the engine needs to function efficiently. The most important job for oil, though, is to help your engine in the hardest work it has, which is to start when it's cold after the oil has drained back into the oil pan. Oil needs to be able to flow freely, even when cold, to lessen the time a newly started engine has to run without it. Synthetic oil is an option to consider as it has many benefits. It is better for an engine when started cold. It lubricates better, cleans the engine more thoroughly and much more. One thing to remember with synthetic oil is that it flows better. This is good in many ways but if you have a small leak, synthetic oil can make it worse. Tire World recommends synthetic oil be changed at the same 3,000-mile interval as you normally would. It is still cleaning out the build up of deposits from your engine and these should be removed. There are some circumstances when it's useful to add another product to your oil when it's changed. High mileage cars would be one example. Tire World recommends a number of good products along these lines. Another point - only add the same viscosity of oil (viscosity is the degree an oil is thick or sticky). Never mix two or more kinds. Mixing tends to take away from the protective properties of each since they will tend to blend. You will end up with oil somewhere in the middle and unable to do the work it needs to do - not what the manufacturer recommends. |
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