Bikes are one of the dearest possessions of people. Every owner wants to take the best care of it by performing regular inspection, timely maintenance and careful driving for its longevity. But, the main aspect to focus on is the heart of the vehicle. Yes, you got it right; the engine.
Are you giving your bike the best care yet being ignorant in selecting its fuel? Is your maintenance routine perfect enough to make your companion last? Never mind what you have done till now. Make an informed decision from next time onwards with the correct information about engine oil grade and types listed below.
Types of Oils and Grades
In a vehicle, there are a variety of oils used to lubricate different parts. The important ones among them include:
Engine oil: It is the most essential oil that lubricates the engine’s components. It deals with crankshaft, camshaft, piston and others to combust, cool, and to reduce wear and tear.
Transmission fuel: It is used in automatic transmissions and deals with torque converter, gearbox and double plates.
Gear oil: Also referred to as differential oil, it is used in manual transmission, transfer cases and differentials. It is designed to handle high pressure and temperature. Gear oil possesses a viscosity different from that of engine and transmission oil.
In addition to these, other lubricants are used, such as power steering fluid, brake fluid, grease, coolant and more. However, the engine oil is graded to specify usage in different temperature conditions.
Understanding Oil Grades
Engine oil grades involve the categorization of oils based on their viscosity in different temperatures. The standards in this regard are set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The engine oil grades are written in the format: a combination of numbers and the alphabet ‘W’-number. Here, W stands for winter. The first number can be single or two-digit and refers to the viscosity of oil in low temperatures. The lower these digits are, the better the oil flow. The last two digits indicate the viscosity at high temperatures. The high digits here indicate thickness at the engine’s operating temperature.
Understanding this with an example, let’s take oil grade 10W-30 synthetic engine oil. For this engine oil, 10 is the oil viscosity at low temperature, while 30 is the viscosity at high temperature. Other common engine oil grades are 0W-20, 5W-40, 10W-40, etc,.
Types of Engine Oil Grades
Engine oil grades are of two types: single and multi-grade.
Single Grade Oils
These have a particular viscosity, making them suitable for specifically rated weather conditions. These are non adaptable with a broad range of temperature.
Multi Grade Oils
Contrary to the single grade ones, these function effectively across the wide temperature range. The transition from cold to high temperature does not impact their efficiency. Examples include oil grade 5W-40.
Engine Oil Types
Based on the composition of engine oil, they are further classified into three types.
Mineral Engine Oil
It is the completely natural form of oil suited for low performance vehicles. It is directly obtained from refined petroleum. Since it involves only extraction and no lab-based activity, this oil type is the cheapest one and hence easily affordable. The performance and protection are also lower compared to other options.
Semi-synthetic Engine Oil
This one is the blend of mineral and synthetic oil and hence is also referred to as synthetic blend oil. It is suited for medium performance vehicles. This one is an affordable option compared to fully synthetic oil but offers better performance and protection than mineral oil.
Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
This is the supreme quality oil. It is engineered to offer the best properties, i.e., the highest performance and protection at extreme temperatures. It is also processed for uniformity in molecular shape and is devoid of impurities. The oil, being an engineered product, lasts for longer durations and is also more expensive than other options.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Oil Grade and Type
The choice of the right engine oil type and its grade is essential for the longevity of the vehicle. Here is how it influences the ride:
Better Performance
The oil suitable for the machinery of the vehicle flows smoothly and combusts to the right amount. It offers an unhindered flow of fuel by maintaining engine cleanliness and delivering quality performance consistently.
Enhanced Efficiency
The optimum choice of fuel serves to reduce the friction in vehicle parts enhancing its efficiency. The smooth and efficient running also saves fuel.
Improved Cold Starts
The oil grade with lower winter ratings improves the cold start performance. Decreasing the engine strain in low temperature conditions, the engine health remains perfect, extending its life.
Tips to Choose the Engine Oil
With the availability of different oil types and grades, choosing the appropriate one can be challenging. Get the assistance here in making a choice:
- Always opt for the oil as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Check the manual or website for suggestions. It gives out the right fuel as suited for the machinery components.
- Identify your driving conditions and accordingly choose the engine oil grade. If confused between certain options, taking expert help is recommended to not compromise the efficiency of the engine.
- The choice of oil must be the one that meets quality ratings. Always go with a credible brand to enhance the engine’s longevity.
Conclusion
Vehicles use a variety of oil types. Among them, engine oil is one of the most crucial ones, for being the primary driving force. Influencing the performance, it comes in a variety of grades and types. The oil grades define the viscosity at different temperatures, and the type determines its composition and efficiency. While oil grade depends on specific requirements, the full synthetic engine oil type is the best option to choose. For accurate decision making to get the optimal oil for your vehicle, it is recommended to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
