Now is the time to change your engine oil. You want to do it yourself or you have driven to a nearby mechanic garage and you are wondering what should I change? ‘engine oil or motor oil ?’ Is engine oil the same as motor oil? I know you must be sure that Oil must be changed, but which oil?
We have found out that a lot of people are confused with engine and motor oil just like you, especially when they want to do the oil change. So they start comparing engine oil vs motor oil. In this article, we will discuss at length what engine oil is, engine oil grade, and finally clear the air on the questions regarding engine oil and motor oil. Now sit back and have a 5 minutes read.
Is Engine Oil The same As Motor Oil
The term ‘motor oil and engine oil’ are used interchangeably to describe base oils or any substance addictive such as detergent, anti-wear additive, viscosity improver, and dispersants. If you are curious about differentiating the ‘engine oil and motor oil’ it is important to note that these products are the same.
Technically, motor oil and engine oil are used interchangeably. You should be cautious in choosing these oils. what you need to know is that there are types of oil and oil grades you should know and the benefits of using each one. What is motor oil made up of?
Conventional oils are finished or well-refined products of crude oil. This oil incorporates different detergents, and anti-wear, addictive processes to remove impurities and improve oil viscosity ratings.
Fully Synthetic motor oils are manufactured in a laboratory, making them exceptional. Unlike conventional oils and synthetic oils are derived from chemical compounds. Although, some are also driven by Natural Resources. As a product of natural gas and its high-level production and easier to control manufacturing process made them more consistent and much more stringent standards.
What should you look for when choosing an oil? Engine oils have viscosity ratings. The ratings are inscribed on the oil pack to describe the oil viscosity and lubricating power and explain the oil performance and how it flows in extreme cold weather conditions. A high viscosity rating ( 15w-40, for instance) will be thicker and more viscous, while a low viscosity rating (0w-40) will be more fluid.
Whether you are picking the oil for your car or your machine at work, getting the right oil viscosity grade is essential for peak performance. There are types of engine oil with varying viscosity grades available in the market that have been optimized for various needs. If you don’t know the right oil grade to use, consult your owner’s booklet, or check the inscription on your oil filler cap.
FAQs:
Q: How many types of engine oils are there?
Your vehicle’s owner’s booklet contains the amount of oil your engine consumes, the oil weight to use, and oil change intervals. It is essential to note all these, but the booklet will not tell you the type of engine oil to use. This is a notable point to consider when choosing oil for your car, as it plays an essential role in your engine performance and longevity.
Get this clear – engine oil and motor oil are the same doesn’t mean all oils are the same. Both engine and motor oil are the same, but they have various types. There are four types of motor oil, they include; conventional, high-mileage, synthetic blend, and fully synthetic oils.
Q: Are engine and motor the same thing?
Both engine and motor are used interchangeably. But the primary difference is that engines run on thermal energy while motors run on electric current. A motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, while an engine is a motor that converts various forms of fuel or thermal energy into mechanical force.
Apparently, an engine is a type of motor. That’s why we’re correct to say motor speedway, motorboat, motorcar.
Q: Can I put motor oil in my engine?
Of course, motor oil is the same as engine oil. However, it is not recommended to mix two or more oil brands. In any case, mixing two oil brands may not cause damage, but you need to stick to the recommended engine oil grade.
Q: Can I just pour more oil into my car?
Engine oils are meant to be changed at regularly scheduled intervals. It requires draining the old oil, removing the old oil filter, and replacing it with a new one. And, lastly, refill the engine oil from the engine filler cap.
Although, if it is not yet time for an oil change and you notice oil leaks or oil shortage, you can just pour more oil into your engine to gauge the oil level before fixing the oil leak.
Q: How long can motor oil sit in an engine?
For some reason, motor oil goes bad just sitting in engines. As motor oil helps in absorbing engine heat, oiling internal parts, cleaning sludge formation, and improving engine efficiency, over time, it becomes less viscous, meaning less efficient in properly lubricating various engine components. Engine oil also breaks down with time.
Most oil manufacturers recommend changing oil at 3,000 – 7,500 between oil change intervals. Another group recommends 7,500 to 10,000, while few others recommend 10,000 to 15,000 miles between oil changes.
Final words
If you have been reading till this point, you will longer ask, ‘is engine oil the same as motor oil?’. Both oils are the same and are used interchangeably. However, it is essential to note your oil viscosity ratings ( the alphanumeric codes on the oil labels). It plays a significant role in engine performance and gas mileage.
Finally, if you’re looking for an oil grade that will improve your engine performance, fully synthetic is the best option for you. Hence, you may want to compare synthetic oils vs. conventional oils; kindly note that synthetic blends and fully synthetic are far better than conventional oils.
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