How can the weather affect engine oil

Motor engine oil is the key to ensuring perfect lubrication to have the engine running smoothly. Motor engine oil is designed to work in special circumstances and withstand heat. However, does this apply to heat waves as well? The answer is maybe!

According to physics, the viscosity of your car engine oil is related to the temperature. When the oil is heated, the viscosity is reduced, and vice versa. Since we need a specific viscosity level in the engine, drivers need to change the car engine oil frequently.

During the hot days of summer, they used thicker motor oil, while in winter, they used lighter car engine oil. Frequent oil change is good for the engine but can be costly. Luckily, we had a solution for that, which is Multivoscosity oils.

Multi-viscosity car engine oil provides an efficient solution for all car owners. Thanks to this invention, we do not have to use different car oil in winter and summer. However, does this mean the car is safe during heat waves or very low temperatures?

What is Multivoscosity oil

Multi-voscosity car engine oil or multigrade oil is the miracle that changed the automotive world. Multi-voscosity oil can have the properties of two different oils depending on the temperature. For example, motor oil 10w40 has a viscosity of 10 in cold temperatures and 40 on hot days.

The secret to this behaviour lies in the chemical composition. Motor engine oil has special additives to change how the oil acts in different temperatures. Therefore, the oil will perform better in a wider range of temperatures.

How can a heat wave affect multigrade motor oil

Multi-viscosity oil does a great job lubricating the engine in different weathers. It also keeps the engine from tear and wear longer. Yet, the chemical composition of the oil does not make it immune to heat changes, only more resistant.

When oil is exposed to temperatures higher than it should be, there will be consequences. Overheating can induce an increase in oxidation in the oil. Oxidation can cause sludge to build up in the engine, rust to form, and parts to wear out.

In addition to that, heat can make the additives volatilize and escape with gases into the air. Additives are the reason why engine oil can work in different temperatures; thus, having them volatilizing means loss of properties.

How cold can affect multi-viscosity oil

Cold, on the other hand, can affect the car engine oil. Using the car in extremely low temperatures can leave a mark on the oil. The first to be affected is the viscosity of the oil since low temperature makes the oil more viscous. Higher viscosity can reduce the efficiency of the lubricant, leaving some parts without proper lubrication.

In certain conditions, the additives can fail to work. Without additives, the car engine oil will lose its properties and act like a normal oil, causing damage to the parts and accelerating the tear and corrosion. Another possible effect is the separation of the base oils when the motor oil has blended oil.

Protect the car from the weather

As said before, engine oil is designed to withstand a wider range of temperatures. When the weather is a little colder or hotter than the engine oil is designed for, it should be ok. The car engine oil can work normally, and the effect will not appear.

However, if you are moving to another area, you should consider changing the engine oil to one that suits the new conditions.

In such a case, the engine oil change is important. The cost of a car engine change is certainly less than the cost of an engine breaking down.