Winter is here, and it’s time to start thinking about changing your engine oil. It’s a good idea to change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Changing your oil in cold weather can greatly impact how well your car runs. Consult Oil Change Chch Expert for more details.
But did you know that not just any type of oil will do? Synthetic oils are better than conventional oils because they stay fluid at lower temperatures and don’t break down as quickly over time—so if you plan on driving during the colder months, then synthetic is the way to go! Here’s everything you need to know about cold-weather changes:
Several factors influence engine temperature, but one you may not be aware of is the temperature outside.
You may not realise it, but the temperature outside can play a role in engine oil life. The colder weather means that your vehicle’s engine has to work harder to stay warm, so the oil doesn’t get burned off as easily.
This is why some manufacturers recommend Car Servicing Christchurch at shorter intervals than normal during winter months (though this varies by make and model).
In addition to temperature, several other factors influence your vehicle’s engine temperature:
- Your car’s condition will affect how quickly it heats up. If your vehicle isn’t properly maintained—or if you drive in harsh conditions—your engine will take longer to reach its optimal operating temperature range of 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit (93-104 degrees Celsius).
- Your driving style also affects how fast heat spreads through your car’s systems. If you spend a lot of time idling or coasting down hills while driving around town, then there won’t be enough power coming from the combustion process to keep up with demand for heat from inside the engine compartment; therefore, it will take longer for everything within these areas to reach their proper ranges before being ready for an Oil Change Chch service appointment.
In cold weather, oil thickens,
In cold weather, oil thickens. This can cause engine damage and should be avoided by using synthetic oil. The thicker the oil is, the less freely it flows through your engine’s parts. If you use conventional motor oil in cold weather and do not change it frequently enough, you could experience:
- Sludge buildup in your engine’s crankcase (the area where all the moving parts reside)
- Higher engine operating temperatures due to poor lubrication
Synthetic oil is superior to conventional oil because it performs better in cold weather, hot weather and high humidity. The superior blend of synthetic oils allows for better performance in cold weather because it does not thicken.
This prevents engine wear and tear that can lead to longer service intervals and reduced fuel economy. Synthetic lubricants also resist thinning when exposed to heat, which means they maintain their viscosity even at higher temperatures. This helps ensure optimum protection against engine wear during start-up on cold morning commutes or when your car is left idling at red lights during summer evenings on the way home from work.
In addition to providing improved lubrication qualities compared with conventional motor oils, synthetic blends offer better resistance against oxidation (rusting) and lower coefficient of friction (COF) numbers than conventional oils – making them ideal for all climates!
It lubricates your engine and protects it from rust
Oil is the only thing that will keep your engine from grinding to a halt. A lack of oil results in metal-on-metal contact, which causes friction and wears down moving parts. Over time, this wear and tear can cause serious damage to your engine. Hire an experienced Oil Change Chch company to maintain your vehicle.
Oil also keeps rust from forming on each individual part of your vehicle’s engine as well as lubricates moving parts so they operate smoothly—and you want it working smoothly!
Without proper lubrication and protection from rust, moving parts will grind against each other and wear down faster than they should, costing you money in the long run.
