Keep your engine running smoothly with these essential tips.
Among some, there’s still a mindset that you must have a thicker viscosity grade for protection. Older vehicles used to call for heavier viscosity grades. “Today you want to find the oil with the right viscosity for your engine for maximum performance and protection,” says Erin Findley, Valvoline (TM) Senior Scientist. “If you use an oil with the wrong viscosity it can actually harm the engine.”
Modern synthetics have come a long way since the original formulations, Findley says. Long ago, synthetics were made with different types of base oils that could damage seals and cause leaks. “Today’s synthetic oils are different than synthetic oils of the past,” she says. If you tend to have problems with seals you can still use synthetics. For those vehicles with more than 75,000 miles, Valvoline Full Synthetic with MaxLife(TM) Technology with seal conditioners is a good option. And for more on the difference between synthetics and conventional, check this out.
“Usually owner's manuals have two columns that describe how you use your vehicle: ‘normal service’ and ‘severe service,’” Findley says. "Many people think that they are in the ‘normal’ bucket, because their driving habits are stop-and-go and short trips. However, that actually can often constitute severe use. Other examples of severe use could include towing a trailer, using a camper, driving through dusty conditions or on rough, muddy or salted roads. In severe use cases, owner's manuals may recommend that you change your motor oil on a more frequent basis."
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