Does Summer Mandate Changing to Heavier Oil?

To keep your engine healthy, using the right oil is very much essential. Changing the oil weight for summer and winter months has been a part of proper car maintenance for quite a while. According to old conventions, oil formulation has only one viscosity. It thins out when the oil is heated in the summer months. The effect is reverse in winter months. In the cold weather, the oil would turn to the likeness of molasses and the engine is not oiled properly. To counteract this, lightweight oil is used in the winter months so that the oil can flow freely and lube the engine properly whereas heavier oil is used in summer months to prevent the oil from thinning out. Multi-viscosity oil is the best solution for this problem. It flows better in winter months and becomes heavier during summer. Ideal multi-viscosity oil is 10W40 (where W stands for winter). This oil flows like 40-weight at 100 C whereas it flows like 10-weight in freezing temperatures; thus your engine is well lubricated throughout the seasonal variations.

Modern multi-viscosity oils work effectively across all temperature ranges. Most of the latest engines are designed to work with specific oils listed in the owner’s manual. However, if you own an old model car you can still use multi-viscosity oils; just base the first viscosity on your climate and then use the original oil specification for the operating weight. It has been tried and tested that most old cars work fine with 10W30. 

Demystify synthetic oil is widely used in many sports cars. This type of oil is nothing but just natural oil that is refined to a much higher degree using more complex additive packages that help improve engine performance. 

Ron Sullivan, Pennzoil's technology manager, says, "For most applications, stick with the manufacturer's recommended oil. But if you want to better protect your engine over the long term, especially against extreme abuse like towing or constant stop-and-go traffic, synthetic might be for you." He further adds, "When you stop these engines, the oil has to resist being baked by the heat in the turbo's oil bearing and synthetics are better at that." 

Have further questions or concerns, simply contact the service experts at Island Lincoln, your neighborhood new Lincoln car dealer serving the Melbourne and Titusville, Florida areas! Their highly trained and professional service staff is ready to serve you for all your auto needs. Schedule your service appointment today for an oil change or A/C check to ensure your car works well in any weather! Also, take advantage of their money-saving parts and service coupons!