What does oil do?
Inside your car’s engine, there are parts that move against each other. If these parts are not properly lubricated, they create friction / heat and wear each other down over time. This can cause engine degradation, increased fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
Engine oil acts as a lubricant for your engine, allowing the engine components to smoothly interact without wearing and lowering the heat. Many oils include additives that allow them to lubricate the engine more effectively. Our oils contain an additive that gives your engine a zinc coating. This allows for significantly less engine wear from friction.
What type/viscosity of oil should you use?
Buying oil can be daunting. This is due to different grades suiting different engines. If you are unsure, your vehicle’s manual should state what type of oil suits the vehicle best.
Oil viscosity describes how easily it flows. Viscosity is measured using a code that is found on the front of your oil bottle. These consist of two values (eg. 10W-40) The first number (5W, 10W etc.) describes the oils maximum viscosity at a low temperature, with the W standing for winter. The second number (30, 40 etc.) describes how well the oil flows at a higher temperature. The lower the number, the thinner the oil is.
If you are in doubt about what oil to use, we can help you. We provide oil changes and services with high-quality oil and filters.
Should you use synthetic oil?
The benefits of synthetic oil definitely make it worthwhile if you are willing to spend the extra money.
Synthetic oil is a type of oil that undergoes a chemical reaction, resulting in equally sized molecules. This allows for reduced heat and wear on your engine. Synthetic oil doesn’t contain the wax-like substance found in standard oil. This allows it to flow more smoothly and work better on cold mornings.
When should oil be changed?
Most mechanics will recommend that your engine’s oil should be changed every 10,000 km.
Over time, oil can become dirty, picking up carbon contaminants and small bits of metal. Dirty oil is recognisable due to its black/brown colour. Oil contaminants can rub against engine’s surfaces and components, causing them to degrade over time.
Some cars have oil warning lights. The purpose of this light is to warn the driver that the car is due for an oil change. If you see the oil warning light, we recommend that you get your oil changed as soon as possible.
Regular oil changes allow the car’s engine to remain healthy and function correctly for longer. This means that your car’s lifespan will be greatly increased.
How to test your oil
You should check your oil at least once every 3 to 6 months, especially if you take your car on long trips.
Most engines have a dipstick that you can use to test the oil. Simply remove the dipstick and smear the end onto a piece of paper. A dark brown or black colour means that the oil is due for replacement. The darker the colour, the more contaminants are in your oil. Ideally your engine oil should be light coloured and transparent / see through.
What oil do we use?
We use the highest quality Penrite oils and Ryco filters. The oil and oil filters are such high quality it means that we can perform oil changes / services on your vehicles and you can still maintain your vehicle manufacturer warranty. This means you can get the best vehicle service in Hamilton without the franchise / dealership cost!
Oil Change Services in Hamilton
At Grimmer Motors, we provide excellent servicing packages for your vehicle. Whether you want a simple basic service or a full premium service, we’ve got you covered.
When you bring your car to Grimmer Motors, you can be assured that we are using the best oils and parts. We use high-quality oils and filters that exceed manufacturer recommendations.
An oil and filter change will improve the health of your engine, allowing your car to function correctly. For all oil changes, filter changes and services, contact Grimmer Motors today!