Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New Additives Make the Oil Changes Changing

Advances in oil and automotive technology mean the old oil change rule "you should change your car's oil every 3,000 miles" no longer applies.



The reason oil needs changed is because it gets dirty and the additives inside get used up, just as they're designed to do. But by the late 80's, big changes in car manufacturing made them much cleaner.

Now, drivers can go 5,000 to 7,000 miles between oil changes, and some models can go as long as 20,000 miles.

The reason oil needs changed is because it gets dirty, and the additives inside get used up, just as they're designed to do, but by the late 1980s, big changes in car manufacturing made them much cleaner.

"We were carbureted then, we're fuel injected now. The rings are better now. We have better engines, better metal, so we do not get the contaminants and the sludge in the oil like we used to," said Joe Smith, automotive instructor.

Some companies are introducing re-refined oil because oil never wears out. Re-refined oil is used oil that's cleaned with new additives added back in.

"All the oil manufacturers have to meet a standard for oil, but they can meet a minimum standard or, if their oil's more expensive, they could increase their additive package because that's the most expensive part of the oil," said Richard Augustus, fuel engineer.

In fact, the better the additive package in oil the longer you can go without a change.

In the long run, it could actually save you money.

Chemists inside the BG lab in Wichita, KA, work diligently to mix and test additives, constantly keeping up with newer and tougher regulations by the American Petroleum Institute.

"There are numerous additives that are formulated into the oil. Those include detergents; those include anti-wear additives, antioxidants and dispersants. These different additives all have different functions," said Dustin Willhite, BG director of technology.

These changes have brought about many different oil types, such as semi-synthetic or full-synthetic. The way you know what's best for your car is a combination of letters and numbers, which are clearly stated in all owners' manuals.

In the small print, some manufacturers require a specific brand of oil be used.

"Basically, you have to use that manufacturer's oil, or else they void your warranty," Smith said.

Let's talk price. Is it true that you get what you pay for? In most cases, yes.

“All the oil manufacturers have to meet a standard for oil but they can meet a minimum standard or, if their oil's more expensive, they could increase their additive package because that's the most expensive part of the oil,” said Fuel Engineer, Richard Augustus.

In fact, the better the additive package in oil the longer you can go without a change. So in the long run, it could actually save you money.

And the science behind these additives is nothing to sneeze at.

The best advice? Do your homework. Know what your car needs and be diligent with your maintenance. It's a small price to pay to keep your engine clean and your wallet full.

Originally Posted: About Additive