Go for quality engine oil  

Engine oil is not just the slippery product that protects your engine from wearing out. Modern engine oil provides protection against numerous physical and chemical processes.

What are the main functions of engine oils ?
The main function of engine oil is to stop all metal surfaces of the engine from grinding and tearing. It also has to dissipate the heat which is generated from frictions and transfer heat away from the combustion cycle. A good engine oil also holds in suspension the by-products of fuel combustion, neutralises acids, prevents varnish and sludge and controls oil consumption.

Are you aware of black death ?
The balck death is a kind of sticky black sustance which causes damage to the engine. This happens when the engine oil cannot handle the chemical make up under pressure and it changes into tar-like glue, which blocks the oil channels in the engine and causes them to cease functioning. This can occur in a minute. To prevent this from happening a non-mineral based, good lubricant should be used.

How many kinds of lubricants are available in the market ?
There are two main types of oils, mineral and synthetic. Mineral oils are not always refined. Synthetic oils are those oils which have zero mineral oil content and are entirely concocted by chemists. There is another type of oil that is semi-synthetic, which is sometimes called premium, and is a blend of the two oils, mineral and synthetic.

Should I switch oils ?
It depends on the oil a particular vehicle has been consuming earlier. If you have been driving around with mineral oil in your engine for years, do not switch to synthetic oil without preparation. Synthetic oils have been known to dislodge the baked-on deposits from mineral oils and leave them floating around in your engine which is not good. Use a flushing oil first. If you do decide to change, only go up the scale. If you have been running around on synthetic oil , do not change to a mineral-based oil. Your engine will not be able to cope with the degradation in lubrication.

Consequently, if you have been using mineral oil, try a semi or a full synthetic oil. It is always safe to mix the different types, but it is wiser to switch completely to a new type rather than mixing .

What oil should one buy ?
Go for quality oil . Never compromise on the quality. Product specification and contents should be given consideration. What is written on the packaging counts. Specifications and approvals are everything. A cheap engine oil may save some money today but it costs a lot in the long run.

How often should the checking of engines be carried out ?
Checking should be done at regular intervals.Though checking may not be always possible, in such circumstances, primary conditioning and maintenance should be done. Regular maintanance adds to the life of engines. Preliminary wear and tear can be handled without much expense.

According to A. Adani, Central Oils, Mumbai, "One's choice of an engine oil depends on the vehicle. We are generally into manufacturing and distributing of oils and lubricants. I think nowadays people go for reputed brands like HP, IOC, which definitely adds to the life of the engine. I personally prefer synthetic oil."

By: Sharmistha Chatterjee