Learn the Label Lingo : Help For Selecting the Best Oil for Your Vehicle

    PORTER, TX, September 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Choosing a motor oil today is no simple task when you are faced with shelves full of different brands. Determining the right oil for your vehicle can be confusing as you must decide which oil to use based on past experiences, choosing the brand your 'Dad always used', or leaving the decision to your service advisor or mechanic.

While the basic mechanics of an engine have remained the same over time, improvements in today's engines require different levels of key motor oil components. These changes combined with emission standards have required motor oil manufacturers to make changes in formulations in order to adapt to the "new standard." With what seems like a myriad of acronyms and numbers on the label, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best oil for your vehicle.

Weight

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) assists in setting the standards for motor oil performance in the United States. SAE also sets the viscosity standards for motor oil. Viscosity is simply a liquid's thickness and/or resistance to flow.

Today's modern multi-viscosity motor oils are made to be thinner at a lower temperature for maximum flow, and thicker at a higher temperature for maximum protection against wear. For instance, 5W-30 motor oil is a 5 weight at lower temperatures and a 30 weight at operating temperature. The 'W" stands for the winter weight.

Choosing the right viscosity is the most important factor when selecting the right motor oil. You should always follow the car manufacturer's recommended oil viscosity for the engine. A number of factors such as the engine's main crank tolerances determine the viscosity a manufacturer recommends.

API

In addition to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American Petroleum Institute (API) also influences how engine oils are made and marketed. API is a consortium of automobile manufacturers and major oil companies that determine the motor oil standards for new vehicles.

API licensed motor oils can carry the Certification Mark "Starburst" and/or the Service Symbol "Donut." Motor oils displaying the API Certification Mark or "Starburst" signify that, "The oil has met the current engine protection standard and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC)."

The API Service Symbol or "Donut" signifies to which API standard motor oil conforms. The letter "S" in the donut followed by another letter represents oils suitable for gasoline engines. The most current API standard for gasoline motor oil is "SN".

The letter "C" followed by another letter or number denotes oil for diesel engines. The most current API standard for diesel motor oils is "CJ-4".

Mineral Oils vs. Synthetics

The two primary types of base oils used in making motor oil are mineral and synthetic. Mineral oils are by-products of refined crude oil. Refining helps reduce the impurities but leaves molecules of all shapes and sizes as illustrated below. In comparison, synthetic oils are manmade compounds whose molecules are all the same size and shape; consequently, synthetic oil has less friction and performs significantly better than mineral oils.

There has been sizable growth in the use of synthetic oils over the years. In fact, synthetic oils are often the factory fill in many new performance and luxury cars.

Additives
Regardless of the base oil used, chemicals must be added to give motor oil the characteristics needed to do its job. Typical additives that may be added to base oil include detergents to reduce the formation of residue, defoamants to deter absorption of air, anti-wear agents, antioxidants and others.

Although additives are typically only 15 to 25 percent of the makeup of motor oil, they can impact a lubricant's performance much more than the base oil. For instance, mineral based motor oil with a very good additive package can easily outperform synthetic motor oil with a mediocre additive package.

There is no easy way for a consumer to determine the quality of the motor oil's additive package. Price is often an indicator of quality since the more advanced additive technologies cost more to produce. Performance is the ultimate measure of additive package quality.

Advances in Lubrication
Some of the biggest technological developments in lubrication are now coming from advancements in chemical additives. These breakthroughs have been developed by a handful of companies that specialize in high performance lubricants, as opposed to major oil companies whose primary focus is refining and selling crude oil by-products like gasoline and other fuels.

One high performance lubricant company, Royal Purple, has developed lubricants that have been shown to outperform ordinary synthetics. Their oil has been reported to dramatically reduce engine wear, increase horsepower and torque, and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Vehicles using their oils can also go further between oil changes, saving the owner time and money, and reducing the impact on the environment.

Royal Purple makes both API licensed motor oils for new cars under warranty, and a line of high performance motor oils for cars no longer under warranty and for those wanting a higher level of performance beyond API standards. Royal Purple's API SN licensed motor oils meet General Motor's Dexos1 1 performance requirements, and are fully compatible with mineral or other synthetic oils. Royal Purple's High Performance Street (HPS) series motor oils contain higher levels of zinc and phosphorus anti-wear additives and Royal Purple's proprietary Synerlec additive technology for greater performance and protection compared to API licensed motor oils.

Advancements in synthetic motor oil formulations and additive technology have not changed the functionality of motor oil in the vehicle, but have provided vehicle owners with added benefits including improved performance, protection and extended wear. Because relying on 'old standards' isn't enough, when selecting motor oil at a service center or automotive store, knowing how to read the label will help you make the best choice for your vehicle. Be sure to check your owner's manual for the recommended viscosity.

For more information about Royal Purple motor oil and their full line of high performance products, visit www.royalpurple.com.

About Royal Purple
Royal Purple produces synthetic products for all your automotive needs including: engine oils, transmission fluids, gear oil, coolant additives, power steering fluid, chain lubricant, grease, penetrating lubricant, and assembly lube. For more information about Royal Purple or its products, contact Royal Purple Inc., One Royal Purple Lane, Porter, TX 77365, 281-354-8600, www.royalpurple.com.

Become a part of the Royal Purple social media family. Follow Royal Purple on Twitter at @Royalpurpleinc or "Like" the Royal Purple Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/officialroyalpurple.

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