Friday, January 14, 2011

Motor Oil Secrets Revealed

There are some myths that people seem to swallow, no matter how much the evidence is to the contrary. You could spend days investigating the facts that people believe on any number of subjects that, in the end, turn out to be completely unfounded in facts. The motor oil industry does its part to pass down a lot of myths to car owners, that people continue to fall for and adhere to for their entire lives. Getting past the sales hype and myths that the big oil companies sell is what the Motor Oil Bible is all about.

This book, written by oil expert, Mike Kaufman, is one of the most information packed books available to teach people the truth about motor oil. You may be one of those people who think that there isn't much to be learned about motor oil. This is simply because the big companies really don't want people to learn too much about their products. They want people to keep purchasing their products and that's all they want.

Purchasing this book could end up saving you thousands of dollars, once you learn to get past the myths of motor oil and choose the best type of oil for your car and your unique driving habits. That's right. There are different types of oil that are more beneficial than others, and it's far more detailed than simply purchasing synthetic oil versus petroleum based oil. This book delves deep into the various factors that really make an oil the best choice for you to choose.

Learn what the big oil companies don't, or won't tell you about the factors that contribute to making the smartest oil purchasing decisions for your car. Don't settle for sales hype when you can learn the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about motor oil from the Motor Oil Bible.
Petroleum based motor oilImage via Wikipedia
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Monday, January 10, 2011

Getting the Most from Your Car's Performance – The Right Oil is Essential

Our cars are some of our most prized possessions. We sink a lot of money, time and energy into our cars, so it's only natural that we expect them to operate efficiently. When some people get a new car, it's almost like a relationship. They treat the car gently and do everything they can to keep it running well, but they rarely keep up these efforts over the long haul.

While you may not have the time or energy to pamper your car all the time, you can take some simple steps to keep it running great. When it comes to a car's performance, motor oil has to be one of the biggest considerations. So, even if you can't baby your car forever, you can take good care of it by simply putting some thought into the kind of oil that you use.

If you ask most of the employees at the oil lube shops what you can do to improve a car's performance, motor oil changes are always going to be the first tidbit of wisdom they have to offer. You, on the other hand, need to think a bit deeper and consider not only changing the oil in your car, but also choosing the right oil for your unique situation.

The make and model of your car, how often you drive it and how long you plan to own your car, all factor into making the best oil choices. Don't expect the oil shop to tell you this, though, they simply want you to come back regularly, so they keep making money. Take the time to learn a bit about the things that go into choosing the right oil for your car, and you will be doing your part to take better care of it over the lifetime of your ownership.


Motor Oil Sign.Image by Ollie Crafoord via Flickr
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Friday, January 7, 2011

Getting Past Sales Hype and Choosing the Best Motor Oil

We all know that the oil industry is a multi-billion dollar business. Any time a product brings in a lot of money, you can be sure that you will see it advertised – a lot. And we do see lots of motor oil commercials and advertisements every year. Each ad claiming that this is the brand of oil that you have to use in your car, if you've got a brain in your skull. You have to get past that hype and engage your brain to make smart choices for your car. When you see motor oil reviews, it's important to remember that there is marketing going on behind the scenes, designed to make sales.

You can't blame the advertisements. After all, that's the name of the game – selling more product. To be a smart car owner, though, you can't afford to let their marketing tactics sway your purchasing decision. Your car is too important to you to put an oil in it just because the oil companies say so. Look past the surface levels of the motor oil reviews that these companies put out and dig a bit deeper to see whether or not those reviews are applicable to your car and your driving habits.

Whatever you do, don't let advertising convince you that one size fits all when it comes to purchasing motor oil. Some car owners will get amazing benefits from using synthetic oils, while others may not get quite as much bang for their buck. If you only drive a few miles every week, logic dictates that you will not benefit from the same type of oil as someone who commutes 100 miles, round trip every day.

Take a few of these variables into consideration before you buy an oil based on a review. Remember, there is no way one of these reviews can possibly apply to every situation, and the next one you read may not apply to your situation at all.
Quart bottle of Red Line 5W-30 synthetic motor oilImage via Wikipedia


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Monday, January 3, 2011

Motor Oils – How Do They Compare to Each Other?

Just 20 years ago, doctors repeatedly told their patients to eat low fat diets. Across the board this advice was given, and little else was talked about in terms of nutrition. The thinking was that less fat in the diet translated to better health. Over time, nutritional science proved this advice to be bad advice for most people.

Think about it, one generic diet given to nearly every type of patient. It's pretty ridiculous isn't it. In much the same way, though, mechanics will often tell their customers to get their oil changed and never tell them that one type of oil does not necessarily work best for every situation. It's important to do a motor oil comparison, to see which type of oil is the best choice for your car. Don't settle for the generic prescription, it simply doesn't work for everyone.

Take some time to learn a bit about an oil's viscosity when doing a motor oil comparison. You hear this term a lot on the oil commercials, but very few people ever find out just what it means and how different viscosities should make a difference in the motor oil they choose to use for their car. If you can't find a lot of information on viscosity, check your owner's manual. That should give you a good starting point for the recommended oil viscosity for the make and model that you drive.

Just as a diet for someone trying to lose 20 pounds won't be the same as a young athlete trying to gain muscle mass, the same old oil won't work for every car. There are differences that must be addressed anold skool motor oil & fuel pumpImage by ♥ L A D Y M ♥ via Flickrd you must compare motor oils to make the best choice.

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Motor Oil Purchasing Considerations

What do you think about when you buy motor oil? You know that changing your oil is important, and you probably stick to a recommended cycle for that task. However, there's more to getting the best oil for your car than simply changing the oil on a regular basis. A little thought needs to go into your oil purchases if you want to get the benefits you desire as a car owner.

Everyone Does it
Of course, changing the oil in your car is something that everyone does, and hopefully on a somewhat regular basis. You may not be a mechanic, but you have surely learned that your car needs to have oil to run, but not every oil is beneficial for every situation. Even your trusted mechanic probably doesn't understand the factors that play into making the most beneficial car oil decisions for your particular situation. Like everyone else, most mechanics have been taught to simply recommend regular oil changes and that is the extent of their knowledge.

Wouldn't you like to know the best oil for keeping your engine protected, especially if you plan to own the car for a long time? Or maybe you want to know which type of motor oil will be the most cost effective over the lifetime of your ownership, if you plan to trade your car in within a few years. These are both great considerations and the answer for each scenario is likely to be very different.

When you buy motor oil, get past the mentality of this being a 'generic' purchase and consider the varying factors that are involved. Taking an informed approach to motor oil purchase could go a long way in making your engine last longer, or in reducing maintenance costs.
Petroleum based motor oilImage via Wikipedia
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Monday, December 27, 2010

Is there one, best type of Motor Oil?

There are a lot of lessons to be learned from the world of competitive sports. Think about it; there are small, muscular gymnasts who perform amazing acrobatics and there are huge football players who need raw power and explosiveness. Of course, there are many other types of sports and athletes besides these two examples, but ponder, for a moment, the huge differences between the two mentioned here. Do you think that they eat the same kind of diets and train the same way?

Of course they don't. There can be no one diet, or training regiment that would cover these two types of athletes, let alone the hundreds of different types from various sports. So why is it, then, that people assume that the their car motor oil should be exactly the same as the oil used by a completely different type of car that is driven in a totally different manner on a daily basis.

The misinformation that exists about a car motor oil being the “best” is misleading and confusing to the average consumer. If you have an old pick up truck that you use to do a lot of work, and you need it to last another 7 years, do you really think you should be using the same motor oil that would be beneficial to a small car owner who plans on trading the car in after 2 years?

It should be pretty evident that there's more to a motor oil being considered the “best” than a commercial simply telling you so. It's very important to realize that there simply is not a blanket, “best” motor oil. Each has unique qualities that may or may not benefit a particular car, depending upon the car owner's usage and goMobil 1Image via Wikipediaals for that car.
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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Which Oil is the Best? The Answer Might Surprise You

If you're like most people, you probably have a favorite brand of motor oil that you use on a regular basis. You might be a regular user of one of the synthetic oils on the market, or maybe you stick to good, old fashioned petroleum based oil. Regardless of the type of oil that you use, have you ever stopped to think about why you came to use your favorite type of oil? Perhaps you've heard about how synthetic is better and decided you want nothing but the best for your car. Or, maybe you've heard that synthetic really won't give
your car any benefits, so you stick with petroleum based motor oils to save a few bucks.

To really find out the best oil for your car, there's a lot more to think about than “X is better than Y” or “Y costs less than X.” These are factors that you should consider, but maybe not in the way that you think. Yes, synthetic oil does provide many benefits to cars, but depending upon your goals and usage as a car owner, you may not benefit from paying for those benefits.

It's also true that you can save some money by choosing a cheaper brand of petroleum based oil. You may, however, only be saving money when you purchase the actual oil. Over time, depending upon your car and your goals as a car owner, you could be spending a lot more money over the long run, due to your choice in motor oils.

None of the automobile experts can tell you that one oil is best without knowing your unique needs as a car owner. For example, if you trade in your car every few years and purchase a new one, do you really need to purchase synthetic oil for your car, or are you wasting money by paying for engine protection benefits that will never make a difference to you? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself and ponder before you make any rash, sweeping decisions about the type of motor oil that's best for your car and your unique circumstances.
Range of Motor Oils on display in KuwaitImage via Wikipedia
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Friday, December 17, 2010

Are You Using the Right Oil in Your Car?

It's easy to look for a 'one-size-fits-all' solution for things in life, and expect to find one for every situation. After all, it's so much easier just to apply the common wisdom to the situation at hand without really putting in too much though, right? Well, there are times when the simple, conventional wisdom is sufficient, but not when it comes to motor oil. Yes, you will get better results when you take the time to learn a bit more about the different types of oil and the situations where a particular type of oil is the best choice.

Can't Trust the Commercials
It's unfortunate that most people end up making their decisions based upon something as non-informative as a television commercial. Of course, when you watch a commercial for a motor oil brand, they are going to try to persuade you that their product is the best. They are doing what they are supposed to do – promote their product. You have to realize, though, that an oil may very well be the best for certain types of cars, under specific conditions, but that doesn't mean it would be the best for you.

Critical Thinking About Oil Choices

Consider the vast array of automobiles on the roads each day. Then think about the wide variety of drivers and the differences in how, where and when they drive. Now, with all of that variety, do you think that each of these automobiles could be best served by the use of identical motor oils? Of course not. Like anything else in life, there are going to be oils that are best for each unique situation.

The type of oil you choose to use can, and will, affect how well your engine is protected and how muchUsing a funnel to refill the motor oil in an a...Image via Wikipedia money you spend on your car's maintenance for as long as you own it.
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

What do you Know about Motor Oil?

If you're like most people, you probably assume that there's not a lot to know about motor oil. You may even think that taking the time to learn a bit more about oil would be a waste of your time. What if you found out that having a bit more knowledge about the oil you put in your car could save you thousands of dollars every year? Would that make learning some oil facts more appealing?

Whether you're a car buff or not, you still want to get the best performance out of your car and maintain top engine performance for years to come. The motor oil you choose could potentially add years to the life of your car and keeps it running great too. You could even save money on regular maintenance costs, simply by learning the best oil to use for your car.

Regular Oil Changes - Are They Enough
We're all told to change our car's oil on a regular basis. This is good advice, but it should not be the be-all-end-all of your oil knowledge. You will only get the most out of changing your oil when you know the exact type of oil that is best for your car and your driving habits. Of course, if you don't know that information just yet, you should still get your oil changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Synthetic or Petroleum?
When people think about the choices they have for oil, they often assume that synthetic oils are the better choice. While some cars will do best on synthetic oil, this should not be assumed as true for every situation. There is no cookie cutter formula for every car, some cars will thrive on synthetic oil, while others function best using petroleum based oils.

There are some valuable resources available to help you learn more about the oil you put in your car. The Motor Oil Bible is one such resource that is packed with amazing information about oil that most people have never heard or read about before. Taking the time to learn more about the oil you use could be one of the best decisions you make for your car.Petroleum based motor oilImage via Wikipedia
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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Revews, Motor Oil and the Motor Oil Bible

In today’s time of economic challenge, consumers are turning to reviews more often.  We have determined that we want true value for our hard earned money.  Particularly with items that can make or break the longevity or usefulness of another product.  Take for instance, motor oil.  Motor oil reviews tend to be biased, at times; it appears that they are propaganda for an individual manufacturer.  Since motor oil is something that is intrinsic to the proper care and running of our cars, unbiased yet informative motor oil reviews are necessary.

Petroleum based motor oilImage via WikipediaMotor oils are not created equal.  Not all aid in helping our engines get us to where we want or need to go.  Some actually, if used repetitively, can actually do more harm than good.  So, what is a consumer to do when faced with a dizzying array of choices, limited knowledge of all the details as well as a demand for value.  The answer is to find an unbiased, knowledgeable resource for this information.  In the motor oil industry, one such expert is known as the Motor Oil Bible.

The business of reviews is either to praise or critique a particular product or service.  However, the Motor Oil Bible and its author, Mike Kaufman, reviews the significance of a particular type of motor oil and how it should be used to help the longevity of your automobile.  Not hung up on particular brands, or sponsored by deep pocket manufacturers, it specifically addresses the needs of your car and matches it with the proper oil.  

A book, and a series of videos are available for your enjoyment.  Get the info you need, make the proper decision and save your money, and extend the life of your car.







The Motor Oil Guy
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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Motor Oil Secrets Revealed

What if you found out that there was information available that could potentially save you thousands of dollars every year? If you're like most people, you want to know what this secret is, so you can benefit from it. As you know, information is essential and having the right information about your car's oil could save you a lot of money on fuel costs, maintenance costs and repairs. The Motor Oil Bible is a manual that gives you surprising, much-needed information about choosing the best oil for your car.

Exposing Myths
It's important to know the myths and lies that most of us believe about oil to fully grasp how powerful the information in the Motor Oil Bible really is. For years, car owners have believed that as long as they put a name brand oil in their cars, there’s nothing more to be concerned about.  In this enlightening motor oil reference book, you'll discover how believing the "every oil is pretty much the same" myth could be costing you a ton of money every year.

This reference manual really is like a Bible of car ownership and oil knowledge. Reading this book will arm you with knowledge about motor oil that few people are ever made aware of. The book is available online and is an essential guide for every car owner. You don't even have to be a mechanic to appreciate this book. It is easily understood by anyone and is packed with amazing facts about oil that you'll never hear from your own mechanic.

Oil is the lifeblood of your car. Choosing the right one is essential. This book equips you with the knowledge you need to make the right motor oil choice and save thousands of dollars every year.

Motor OilImage by SamAdams914 via Flickr
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Friday, December 3, 2010

Getting the Best Performance from your Vehicle

When you bought your car, you obviously wanted to get the most out of it that you could. We often baby our rides in the beginning, but tend to slack a little over time. One area that nearly everyone can improve on is choosing the right oil for their car. To get to a level of peak performance, motor oil has to be one of your top considerations. In fact, few things contribute as much to your car’s performance as the oil that you choose. Many people go a little over the top, though, and end up spending too much money on synthetic oils, when that may not even be the best choice for their car.

All things considered...
Since there is so much depending upon your motor oil for top car performance and long engine life, it's obvious that you have to consider a few things to make the best choice for your car. To get your car to the highest level of performance, motor oil has to be considered carefully, and the right kind has to be used. Many lube shops and garages will lead you to believe that oil is a one-size-fits-all choice as long as you change it regularly. Don't fall for this.

The best place to start is with your manufacturer's documentation. You should easily be able to find a recommended viscosity for the oil you choose. Sticking with this as your starting point for oil is usually a safe bet. Of course, the way you drive, the make and model of your car and other factors will play into your ultimate, long-term oil solution, but you are safe to start with what the manufacturer recommends. From there, do some research to find the absolute best choice in oil for your car.

Range of Motor Oils on display in KuwaitImage via Wikipedia
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Monday, November 29, 2010

Smart Motor Oil Purchasing Tips

Any time you invest money in a product, you want to be sure that you are getting exactly what you look for. It's important to note, however, that many product reviews are directly from the manufacturer, so using them as your guide may not be the best choice. This is true when it comes to motor oil reviews, if you simply go by what you hear on a commercial or from what you read in a review, you could end up causing serious problems for your car. Every car is not the same. While the review for a particular type of oil, in a particular car, under very specific circumstance might be great, that doesn't mean it would be the best choice for your automobile.

Take it with a grain of salt
Okay, we know that manufacturers are always going to tout their own product, so take any motor oil reviews that you read with a grain of salt. Don't dismiss these reviews, but consider them along with the following information:

What oil type is best for your car, according to the vehicle's documentation? Make sure that you choose an oil that is the right viscosity according to the manufacturer.

Is the oil being reviewed petroleum based or synthetic? Neither is superior for every situation. Synthetic may be best for some cars, but that doesn't mean it is the best for yours.
Oil filter for motor oil in an automobile.Image via Wikipedia

What is your driving style? If you do a lot of heavy load work with your vehicle, it is going to change your oil needs, so take the style and needs of your driving into consideration.

Reviews can be helpful to make the right decision, but they should always be used in conjunction with some serious fact finding of your own.
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Friday, November 26, 2010

Should You Worry About Comparing Motor Oils?

Whether you're a professional mechanic, or someone who enjoys tinkering around with cars, you know that every car is different. You wouldn't go to change your spark plugs and choose the first set you got your hands on would you? Of course not. You know that every car needs the plugs specific to that make and model. It's curious how people can easily understand this fact, yet give very little thought to motor oil comparison when the time comes to get an oil change. To get the best performance and lower maintenance bills choosing the correct oil for your car, and driving conditions, is essential.

Compare and Contrast
It's essential to do some research about the oil that your car really needs. Motor oil comparison should be one of the building blocks of this education on choosing the correct oil. As you know, every car's engine needs oil to run, but you have to make the right choice for it to run its best.

Start by learning about viscosity. You hear this term a lot, but very few people know what it means and how it should play into your motor oil selection. You can ask a trusted mechanic, but there's a good chance that they don't understand this important variable either. Check your vehicle's documentation to see what viscosity oil you should use. Remember, though, that if you are using synthetic oil you may be safe with choosing lower viscosity oil. Just make sure that you are using a high quality synthetic if you decide to go this route.
I Myke waddy took this photo. Canada Myke Wadd...Image via Wikipedia
Compare oils and educate yourself on the best oil for your car. Doing so can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your car ownership.
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Shopping for the Right Motor Oil

When you buy motor oil, you are making much more than a simple purchase. Choosing the right oil is necessary to avoid engine damage and to get longer engine life. Too many people assume that oil is oil and grab whatever is cheapest, or whatever they are used to using. This habit of giving little thought to your oil is what leads to so many car problems every year and it will ultimately wear your car's engine out prematurely.

The Most Common Maintenance Task
Not everyone is a mechanic or all that interested in the workings of a car's engine, but every car owner is familiar with oil changes. The standard line that you hear is to have your oil changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles. This reminder that you hear from the oil change places and mechanics makes the oil change the most frequent maintenance task that people have performed on their car. Yet, even though people make this change every few months, very little thought goes into what kind of oil is going into the car at each of these changes.

Whether you buy motor oil and change your car's oil yourself or pay a mechanic to do it, it's important to learn what type of oil is going to be the most beneficial for your car. For some cars it will be synthetic oil, for others it won't. There are variables that make each scenario unique, and the right oil must be picked based upon that scenario. Find out more about choosing the best oil for your car. You will have dozens of oil changes over the years. Don't you want to use the oil that will be the most beneficial to your car's
engine?Draining the motor oil out of an automobile as...Image via Wikipedia
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Friday, November 19, 2010

Which Oil is the Best? The Answer Might Surprise You

If you listen to the car motor oil commercials, or even ask most mechanics which type of oil is the absolute best, you're likely to hear "synthetic oil" as the answer. For years now synthetic motor oil has been touted as the best oil for every type of car. In many cases, synthetic oil is the right choice, but there are more variables to consider.

All motor oils, conventional or synthetic, are crucial to a car's performance and choosing the right car motor oil can save you a lot of money over the lifetime of your car ownership. Many people pick synthetic oil for their cars, in hopes of gaining benefits, like a higher trade-in value or better fuel economy. These benefits, however, may not apply to every car owner who switches to synthetic oil. For example, it is true that using synthetic oil protects engines from long term damage. But if a car owner trades in their vehicle on a regular basis, they may not be benefiting from this long term engine protection, so the extra investment in synthetic oil would not pan out in any noticeable savings in this scenario.
Using a funnel to refill the motor oil in an a...Image via Wikipedia
Don't fall into the trap of assuming that the more expensive alternative is necessarily the most beneficial for your particular motor oil needs. Every car and driving situation is unique and calls for a very specific type of oil. You could be paying more for synthetic oil, in the belief that you are reaping benefits, when those benefits don’t even apply to your unique circumstances. When deciding on the best oil for your car, you must weigh the benefits against the costs to make an educated decision.
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Monday, November 15, 2010

Making Informed Motor Oil Decisions

Can you imagine being very ill and having a physician ordering blood for you? This is not an uncommon scenario, but how about putting a twist on it and hearing the doctor tell the nurse, "It really doesn't matter what type of blood, any human blood will do", this would probably get you more than a little concerned. We all know that you just can't do this.

What about your car's oil requirements? Are you of the mind that any kind of motor oil is acceptable? Many people are, and this nonchalant attitude about the life blood of their vehicles ends up being very costly.

Everyone knows that motor oils are available in a few different varieties, but the general attitude is that you can use pretty much any approved motor oil on any automobile. This, however, is not true. There are some very important considerations to think about. Like people, every car is different. Not only that, but every car is used in a different capacity too. The way one driver routinely drives her Lexus may vary greatly from another driver, who owns the same type of car. The bottom line is that the car type and how it is going to be driven greatly affect the types of motor oils that should be used.

The general belief that any oil will do causes thousands of dollars in damage to cars over time. Every car owner owes it to themselves to find out the exact kind of oil that they should use for their car and their unique driving needs. You wouldn't accept any blood in your body, don't accept just any oil for your car. Find out the facts that mechanics aren't telling you about picking the perfect oil for your situation at The Motor Oil Bible website.
Motor Oil Sign.Image by Ollie Crafoord via Flickr
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Monday, November 8, 2010

Performance Motor Oil - Help Your Engine Help You

Besides using high performance motor oil, what can one do to improve engine function?  Are there other products one needs to usealong with quality motor oils?  What are they? First, it is important to utilize an efficient air filter.  There are primarily four options: cellulose media air filters, foam media air filters, cotton gauze media air filters, and nanofiber air filters (AMSOIL).
 Motor oil filter cutaway image (Bosch P3029) -...Image via Wikipedia
While foam media and cotton gauze filters offer good air flow qualities, they are not as efficient as cellulose or nanofiber filters.  Cellulose media filters build up a “dust cake” during their early life which helps increase their efficiency in removing contaminants from your air intake.
AMSOIL nanofiber filters are absolutely efficient down to 2 microns.  While the superior air flow qualities of foam and cotton gauze filters may be preferable for racing applications, cellulose and nanofiber filters are clearly preferable for protecting your engine from contaminants coming in through your air intake. Second, it is also essential to use a quality oil filter.  Traditional, off-the-shelf, cellulose filters are only 70 to 80% effective and only efficiently filter particles of a 30 to 40 micron size.  High efficiency filters, which are made
of combination of glass, synthetic and cellulose fibers, are often effective down to 15 to 20 microns.  As the majority of engine wear is caused by particles between 5 and 20 microns, it only makes sense to make use of an oil filter which can capture a larger percentage of these contaminants.  Doing so will significantly reduce the amount of wear to your engine from these particles. As you can see,using quality filters is important for protecting your engine.  While using a high performance motor oil will help your engine run more
smoothly, it is also important to employ quality air and oil filters in conjunction with this oil. Doing so will maximize the reduction of particles which can cause wear in your engine.
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Friday, November 5, 2010

Are you Performing Motor Oil Comparisons?

Let's say you want to do a motor oil comparison for how two different oils perform in your engine.  What steps would you take?  How could their performance be compared? Oil analysis can tell you how well your oil is holding up and whether your oil and/or air filter are ready to be changed.  A sample of about 3 ounces must be taken from your engine.  However, the sample is obtained (by sampling pump or valve, or by taking it from the drain pan plug), you must be sure to take it immediately after you shut down the vehicle, for this ensures that contaminants will be equally distributed throughout the system.  This sample is then sent away to a lab for analysis.

Oil analysis generally run from 10 to 25 dollars.  If you choose a 10 dollar test, chances are you will only receive information about wear metals present in your engine oil.  However, if you elect to get a more expensive test done, you will get more information.  You will be informed not only about wear metals, but about other contaminants (glycol, water, fuel) and their percentages in your oil. 

You will find out whether your oil's viscosity is consistent with what you put in.  Soot levels and oxidation and nitration percentages will also be included in your report, numbers which will also indicate how the oil is holding up.  You might also be informed about your oil's TBN-its acid neutralizing capability. All of these measurements will help you determine how well a given motor oil is working within your engine.  One way to do a motor oil comparison would be to do an oil analysis for each oil you use in your car.
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Time to Buy Motor Oil Filters

Oil filter on underside of engine (Saab 9-5)Image via WikipediaWhat are the important things to consider when one goes to buy motor oil filters?  As with motor oil, it pays to invest in a quality product.  Your engine's performance depends on efficient oil filtration and you should not cut corners when it comes to your oil filter.

Your oil filter is important because running your engine produces contaminants which need to be removed.  These particles cause engine wear-so you want to filter out as many of them as possible.  Which type of oil filter is most effective for this task?

Oil filters are rated for overall efficiency-the percentage of all contaminants removed.  Contaminants are measured in microns and it has been shown that most engine wear is caused by particles between 5 and 20 microns, so you want a filter which can remove particles this small.  Normal, off-the-shelf cellulose filters are 70 to 80% efficient and this means they are only absolutely effective with particles around 30 to 40 microns.  They are nominally efficient at 20 microns, which means that all of these particles will not be caught.  High efficiency oil filters, however, which are made from some combination of glass, cellulose and synthetic fibers, are absolutely effective down to 15 to 20 microns and are nominally efficient down to 5 to 10 microns.  
Obviously  these filters remove more contaminants than cellulose ones.  By utilizing this advanced level of filtration, you can reduce engine wear significantly (40-70%).

Good oil filters will have such features as metal endcaps, silicone anti-drain valves, an HNBR nitrile gasket, a heavy duty baseplate, thick outer housing and wire mesh backed filtration media.  You may not find all of these features in any one filter, but you should look for as many of them as possible.  Remember that when you buy motor oil filters, purchasing a high efficiency model can help extend your car's life considerably.


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