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1. Motor oils do not just mean engine oil. A number of mechanical components are like transmission and brakes use their respective motor oil. Make sure to get them replaced as needed.

2. Synthetic engine oil protects your vehicle under extreme conditions. But, will not increase performance or efficiency substantially.


3. Motor oils for different components have different ratings and viscosity. Use with extreme care in case you are changing them yourself.

4. There are three types of motor oils andndash; Mineral/regular, Semi-synthetic and Synthetic. Be sure to check for the SAE international rating to match that of the vehicle as recommended by the manufacturer.


5. High engine speeds induce more stress on vehicle components. Make sure to get motor oils checked and replaced if needed.

6. Commonly known as the 'Dark Oil Myth', partially dark motor oil does not indicate an oil change. However, make sure it is replaced at the right oil change interval, either after a certain number of kilometres have been covered, or in terms of sheer time lapse.

7. Service intervals and replacing motor oils vary from place to place. Make sure you consult your mechanic about the ideal time of servicing, or it is always a good idea to refer to your car's owner's manual.

8. While getting motor oil changed, make sure filters for the same are also replaced. They are the first line of defence against impurities and protect the component.

9. Getting motor oil changed too frequently won't do any good. Change the oil only if it benefits the vehicle. Non-synthetic oils should undergo replacement at 5000km interval.

10. Today's car design and equipment does not make it too easy to change the oil at home and especially the filter. It can be very tricky and might need special tools, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In certain cases, accessing the oil filter may entail removal of other components from the engine bay or sump guard. So unless you are experienced with working on your car yourself, it's a job best left to the professionals. What you can do easily do at home is top-up various oils and fluids if their level has dropped down.

ZigWheels had initiated a Facebook poll among its fan base on the engine oil of their choice. Castrol received the maximum number of votes, 54 out of 76, from among six engine oil brands including Servo, Elf, Shell, Mobil1 and Petronas. Shell was placed second with 16 votes, while the more expensive Mobil1 and Petronas won six votes and one vote respectively. Elf received one vote while Indian Oil's Servo had no score.

"Castrol offers the best quality at a very reasonable price. Not only does my car run smoother and delivers good fuel efficiency in my Santro Xing, it also reduces the engine noise creeping in the cabin," said Deepak Kumar.

"I have an Alto and travel a lot around the city. After two years of my vehicle's life, I switched to Castrol Magnatec and it has been a blessing to my car. Not only is it easy to trot around in the city, I have to struggle less with gear changes," said Juhi Mohan. Kumar Gaurav had this to say: "Good quality synthetic engine oil offers a smoother, faster and responsive vehicle. Compare it to your regular engine oil and you will feel the difference."

With Indian car owners opting for expensive engine oils, the prospects for international brands like Castrol, Shell and Mobil are lucrative. Indian brands, therefore, will have to ensure quality products to compete with international brands.

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Choosing the right grade of motor oil for your car can be confusing. But using the right grade is vital for the durability of components as it reduces wear and tear. Cars have rated grades for engine, transmission and other oils. And numbers like 10W-30 or 0W-80 may puzzle you, but are easy to understand.

Multi-grade oils work over a temperature range unlike single grade oils. In a rated grade like 20W-80, the 'W' specifies the minimum temperature the oil can function in. The 20W means signifies the minimum temperature for ideal viscosity of the oil is 20 degrees Celsius. The '80' denotes the maximum temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. An improper grade of oil will not be viscous enough and will cause components to overheat and damage them.

Here are some tips while choosing the oil:

1. Check the grade of the oil and ensure that it is approved by SAE International.

2. Select the grade specified by the manufacturer. The grade of engine oil is different from transmission oil or gear oil.

3. Consult manufacturer/dealer for the ideal grade of engine oil for high performance cars.

4. Different components have different grades. Refer to the users' manual for grades of various oils. Transmission oil has a higher temperature range than engine oil and cannot be used in the engine.

5. Petrol and diesel engines need different oils. A diesel engine uses heavier, thicker engine oil than a petrol motor.

Follow these tips for a long and trouble free experience with your car's engine

Engine oil change is part of a vehicle's regular service. But, at times, an oil change becomes imperative earlier than the service date. So, when and how often should you change engine oil?

A car user's manual recommends regular service and engine oil change intervals. But a premature oil change may be needed if the engine has suffered excessive strain. Engine oil becomes thinner over time and loses its lubrication ability, necessitating an oil change. If ignored, it can reduce engine life.

Changing engine oil is an absolute must if you are starting a vehicle after a long interval, if you've travelled long distances at high speeds or gone mud-plugging. If a car has not been used for over two months, the engine oil collects in the sump and loses viscosity due to lack of circulation and a cold engine. So the priority is an engine oil change before you use the car. During high speed driving, there is more stress on the engine and the engine oil has to work harder for ideal lubrication which causes it to become thinner and necessitates replacement.

Synthetic engine oil has a better grade and can work in extreme conditions. But visit your mechanic for a check-up to make sure of its functioning.

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Almost every engine oil manufacturer has introduced their brand of synthetic engine oils in the market, claiming better performance, mileage and longer engine oil change intervals. Does it make sense to go in for these expensive oils when a car manufacturer does not recommend it for their car?

Mineral engine oil

These are a by-product of the crude oil refining process. Broadly speaking, the thicker by-products from refining process become asphalt-type materials used as tar for various purposes. The fine, carbon-rich volatile substances are further refined to make fuels like petrol and diesel. The rest of the crude oil is often contaminated with sulphur and other contaminants; this is used as the base for making engine oil.

Pros:

andbull; Lubricate moving parts in an engine and, according to the level of refinement, can perform well in varied conditions

andbull; Are cheaper compared to semi-synthetic or synthetic oils

Cons:

andbull; The markedly simple way that they are produced compared to synthetic blends of oil makes them unstable and prone to loss of viscosity under extreme conditions.

andbull; They contain some contaminants which form sludge. This can be dangerous in the long run if the oil change intervals are not followed

Synthetic engine oils

Synthetic engine oils are made in laboratories, but are based on conventional mineral oils. Extensive refining and the presence of chemicals which alter the viscosity and other characteristics of the oil make them better suited for high performance engines.

Pros:

andbull; Synthetic oils can handle changes in temperature and engine load much better than mineral oils

andbull; They have added chemicals which reduce sludge formation

andbull; Synthetic oils have better low temperature viscosity and flows more easily in between moving parts in an engine. This means that it is less resistant, and can lead to enhancements in fuel efficiency and engine performance.

andbull; As the oil is resistant to sludge formation for longer period, the oil change interval is longer

Cons:

andbull; Their technology intensive production method renders them costlier.

andbull; They are not recommended on high-mileage engines, as their chemical composition has been known to affect the rubber seals and cause oil leaks.

andbull; Their effectiveness on low performance engines is not significant

Mineral engine oils can face the stresses of daily driving easily, keeping the engine running smoothly and efficiently. Synthetic engine oils are beneficial in high load situations, say for example when you take your car off-roading or drive it high speeds for a long duration. It is not recommended that you use these oils if your car is not being driven in extreme temperature changing conditions, is not driven in high-altitude locations and is not equipped with a high-performance engine.

Conversely, using them does necessarily put a dent in your pocket; a bottle of synthetic oil is known to last for 50-100 per cent longer than mineral oil. Synthetic oils reduce wear and tear inside the engine, creating less sludge and increasing the longevity of the engine. All these factors lead to savings in the long run. On the whole, synthetic engine oil is definitely better.

Reputed brands of mineral engine oil cost Rs 370 for a three litre can, while synthetic engine oil costs Rs 2,700 for three litres. Castrol, Petronas, Shell and Mobil1 are reputed brands of engine oil.

There are many factors which affect the performance of an engine. High octane fuel and additives can boost the performance of a car's engine.

What is octane number?

The octane number of the fuel or additive tells you if the fuel can be used in high performance machines. The higher the octane number, the better it burns and the better the engine performs. A lower octane fuel than what is recommended can damage the engine as it causes 'knocks' or irregular ignition. For a high octane fuel mix, get high octane fuel or get octane boosting additives.

High octane fuels burn only when the spark plugs fire, and burn cleanly. These fuels are usually cleaner as they go through an extensive process during and after refining.

Octane boosters are additives to your fuel to increase the octane number of the fuel. These additives, which may include alcohols, ethers, manganese or other chemicals improve the performance of the engine in terms of either acceleration, top end speed, efficiency or all of them.

High octane fuel and boosters have negligible or absolutely no effect on low performance road-going cars. A manufacturer recommends a minimum octane fuel rating and these products will not make a difference. High performance engines require high octane fuels as it is imperative that the fuel burns properly and the engine extracts the maximum performance possible.

While both high octane fuel and boosters provide similar levels of performance, it is better to use the former. The advantage of octane boosters is that they are easily available compared to high octane fuels. In India, high octane fuels are mostly available in petrol pumps in major cities only and boosters can be a life saver. The combination of octane boosters and low octane fuel is costlier than the same quantity of high octane fuel.

Use high octane fuels for a high performance engine and use boosters only as a last resort. Avoid using high octane fuel or boosters for a stock road-going car.

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An internal combustion engine has parts that move almost 6500 times a minute. The friction and the subsequent heat generated have an adverse effect on these parts, and engine oil lubricates them and averts damage. Temperatures in petrol engines reach 160anddeg;C, while diesel engine temperatures go over 315anddeg;C.

Engine oil is made from a heavy, thick substance derived from crude oil, with additives to improve certain properties. Engine oil forms a lubricating film between moving parts due to their viscosity. The viscosity or thickness must be adequate to form a lubricating film, but thin enough for the oil to flow around the engine parts.

Mineral engine oils are made from refined petroleum products, and do not contain man-made compounds. Additives change the oil's viscosity. Mineral oils lubricate the engine parts and they have a large viscosity range. These oils are cheaper than synthetic and partially synthetic engine oils.

Mineral oil is not as versatile as synthetic oil and must be changed more often.

Prices for mineral engine oils start at Rs. 370 for a three litre can.

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The different types of engine oils are mineral/regular oil, semi-synthetic oil and pure synthetic oil. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and performs differently under varied conditions. Is mixing synthetic and regular oil to get better performance at a lower price a good idea?

The good news is that it will not harm your engine in any way in the short term. Most synthetic and semi-synthetic engine oils are based on regular oil and are compatible. No unwanted by-products are created when different types of oil are mixed, and engine performance will be fine.

The bad news is that this will not give you the benefits you think it would. Mixing different oils will not improve the performance or efficiency of the engine in any way. The additives in synthetic oil may have limited or no effect at all when mixed with a regular engine oil. Mixing different synthetic oil blends, on the other hand, may have negative effects in the long term as the additives may react.

So, when you top up your engine oil after a leak, do not hesitate to mix oils if you do not get the same type of oil. In the long run, though, stick to using one type of oil to get the best performance out of your engine.

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Semi-synthetic oils are a mix of mineral oil and pure synthetic oils. Usually no more than 30 per cent of the mix is synthetic oil. Compared to mineral oils, these are more viscous and have a better capacity of lubricating at very high temperatures.

The advantages of semi-synthetic engine oils are that they are cheaper than pure synthetic oils, while being better than mineral oils. These oils can be used in most road cars as they have a high viscous capacity, heat transfer capability and additives which keep the engine safer, longer. They have a longer change schedule compared to mineral oils and are better at managing sludge formation too.

Semi-synthetic oils suffer from the shortcomings of the mineral oil used to make them. They are not as good as synthetic oils, tend to have shorter change schedule and may not be able to handle extreme situations as well. Semi-synthetic engine oils are a good option for those seeking a better alternative to mineral oils but find the pure synthetic oils too expensive.

The prices of semi-synthetic engine oils start at Rs 850.

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Pure synthetic engine oils, despite their name, are actually derived from mineral oils. They are made from the purest part of the mineral oil refraction process, the gas. These oils do not contain impurities usually found in other oils, which gives them longer change schedules and improves their overall performance. They are also highly viscous and can perform better at extreme temperatures. Synthetic oils can almost be termed as custom-built oils; they're designed to do the job efficiently but without any of the problems associated with mineral oils.

The advantages of pure synthetic oils are as follows:

andbull; They have better low and high temperature viscosity performance

andbull; They have better chemical stability

andbull; They are more resistive to oxidation, thermal breakdown, and oil sludge problems

andbull; They have longer change schedule, so less oil is wasted

andbull; These oils extend an engine's life compared to other types of oils

andbull; Synthetic oils are known to increase the horsepower and torque of engine as they reduce the drag on the engine

The disadvantages of pure synthetic motor oils include:

andbull; The initial cost of these oils is very high

andbull; Chemicals in synthetic oils have been known to corrode rubber seals in carburetted engines

andbull; Many synthetic oils do not give an engine any major advantage, as far as performance is concerned, over mineral or semi-synthetic oil. Performance enhancements will be limited to high performance engines

Prices of pure-synthetic engine oils start from Rs 2,700 (onwards) for a three litre oil can.

Fuel additives

Fuel additives improve the performance of an engine in terms of fuel efficiency, acceleration and top speed. There are different additives for petrol and diesel. They are designed to clean fuel injectors, reduce exhaust gas emissions, prevent corrosion in fuel lines and the fuel tank, reduce knocking and misfiring and make cold starts easier.

Octane boosters improve the performance of an engine as they allow the fuel to combust more easily. However, they will not result in better performance of road cars as only high performance cars which run on high octane fuel benefit from octane boosters. High octane fuel is the right option for high performance cars. In India, high performance fuel is not available in all regions, so octane boosters are the ideal alternative.

3M and Chevron are well known fuel additive makers. Prices of petrol additives start from Rs. 250 onwards while prices of diesel additives start from Rs. 270 onwards.

Engine oil additives

Additives enhance the engine oil's lubricating ability and, thereby, reduce friction and enhance performance besides preventing build up of sludge and extending the life of the engine oil. They also improve engine operation under extreme weather and load conditions. However, sulphur additives can reduce fuel efficiency and damage catalytic converters. Also, some detergent additives can work against other additives that reduce friction.

AMSOIL and 3M are well known engine oil additive makers. Prices of engine oil additives start upwards of Rs. 100 (for one quart or 488ml).

Gear oil additives

As there is no pump that circulates oil inside a manual gearbox, gear oil has to be able to stick on to rotating gears, and channels inside a gearbox direct oil flow. Gear oil, therefore, consists of extreme pressure additives that allow the gear oil to lubricate the surface of the gears without air bubble formation under high pressure between contacting rotating gears. Gear oil additives enhance the thickness of the oil and keep up its lubricating properties. This reduces friction and heat resulting in smoother gear shifts, less wear and tear and low maintenance costs. Synthetic gear oil is an alternative to gear oil additives.

There are different gear oil additives for manual and automatic gearboxes.

3M, Pennzoil and Gunk are well known gear oil additive maker. Prices of gear oil additives start from Rs. 300.

Radiator additives

Radiator additives improve the ability of coolants to maintain optimum operating temperatures under extreme temperatures. They improve heat dissipation, prevent corrosion inside the radiator pipeline, and also act as acid neutralisers. Radiator additives are mixed with coolant inside a vehicle's cooling system.

Some well-known radiator additive makers are AMSOIL, Pennzoil, JB, Royal Purple, Red line and 3M. Prices of radaitor additives start from Rs. 100.

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Engine oil additives improve lubrication, performance in extreme temperatures and extend the life of the engine oil. Some additives improve the viscosity of the engine oil for optimum performance under varying operating temperatures, thereby reducing wear and tear. Additives that reduce friction improve the performance of the engine.

However, an incorrect combination under adverse weather conditions can alter the effects of engine oil additives.

The pros and cons of engine oil additives:

Pros:

andbull; Engine oil additives are compatible with both mineral and synthetic engine oils

andbull; Prevent gaps in oil circulation (also called an 'oil film break')

andbull; Reduce friction of engine components

andbull; Improve performance

andbull; Reduce foaming around the crankshaft

andbull; Prevent build up of sludge

andbull; Extend the life of engine components

andbull; Extend the life of the engine oil

Cons

andbull; Added expense over engine oil

andbull; Too much concentration of anti-foaming agents can have the opposite effect and promote foaming

andbull; Some detergent additives can work against other additives that reduce friction

andbull; Sulphur additives can reduce fuel efficiency sometimes and damage catalytic converters

Go in for reputed brands like 3M as they are the most effective.

Consult experts about the use of engine oil additives in different weather conditions and terrain to understand if your vehicle requires them.

Regular servicing and changing of the engine oil is usually all that is required.

Prices of engine oil additives start from Rs 100 (onwards) for one quart (946.353 millilitre).

Originally invented for heavy motor vehicles, power steering is a feature that aims to make the job of manoeuvring a vehicle easier. Almost all modern vehicles on the market today come with power steering systems that make the steering much lighter to turn.

There are three types of power steering systems, namely, hydraulic power steering, electro-hydraulic power steering and electric power steering. Both hydraulic and electro hydraulic power steering systems use hydraulic fluid to power the steering with the help of a pump that is powered by the engine of the car.

Power steering fluid is not required to be replaced. However, the level of fluid should be checked from time to time through the transparent container mounted in the engine bay. Ideally, the level of power steering should not drop, if it does drop then check for leaks around the container or pump. It is best to go for a power steering fluid recommended by the car manufacturer.

Because the hydraulic and electro-hydraulic power steering pumps are powered by the engine they only operate when the engine is running. A drawback of these power steering systems is adverse fuel economy as the engine uses energy to power the pump.

The upside of hydraulic power steering systems over electric power steering systems is that they provide much more direct feedback to the driver when the vehicle is changing directions, thereby inspiring driver confidence.

In case of a failure in the power steering of a vehicle there is no need to worry as the vehicle can be steered without power assistance as well, just that it will require a lot more effort.

Prices of power steering fluid starts from Rs. 250 per litre onwards.

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A gearbox/transmission consists of moving metal components that transfer the power from an engine to the drive shaft of an automobile. Metal components moving against each other results in friction, for this reason a lubricating agent called 'Gear oil' or 'Transmission oil' is used to reduce friction inside a gearbox.

There are different grades of gear oil on the market. Car manufacturers recommend a specific grade of gear oil for a vehicle depending on the design of the gearbox along with the periodical interval for gear oil replacement. A vehicle's owner's manual will specify the grade of gear oil to be used just like it specifies the grade of engine oil a vehicle requires.

There are different types of gear oil for automatic and manual gearboxes as they function differently. It would be worth mentioning that some modern automatic gearboxes are emerging which manufacturers recommend do not need a gear oil change for as long as 2,40,000 kms owing to a low-friction design. An example of this is the new Ford Fiesta automatic that has a double clutch gearbox.

Gear oil however is different from engine oil in terms of additives used. Engine oil is pumped around the engine to create a lubricating film around bearings. While gear oil consists of extreme pressure additives that allow it to lubricate the surface of the gears without air bubbles forming under high pressure between contacting rotating gears. Also, gear oil has to be able to stick onto rotating gears as there is no pump that circulates gear oil, instead channels are designed inside a gearbox to direct oil flow.

Synthetic gear oil is also available in the market and can significantly improve the duration between oil changes. Synthetic gear oil can also perform better than conventional mineral based gear oil under extremely low or high temperatures along with better lubricating properties. Disadvantages of synthetic gear oils lie in their high cost and material compatibility problems such as corrosion of rubber seals.

Some common gear/transmission oil brands are Castrol, AMSOIL, Valvoline, Pennzoil, Shell, etc. Prices for gear oil starts from Rs. 300 per litre onwards to Rs. 850 per litre onwards for synthetic gear oil.

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Engine oil lubricates moving metal parts of an internal combustion engine and averts overheating and excessive wear and tear. The microscopic particles resulting from the friction of the moving metal parts are held in suspension by the engine oil. Engine oil saturated with metallic particles turns a darker shade and is unable to deliver optimum performance. Engine oil contaminated with metallic particles will cause excessive wear and tear and therefore must be replaced at manufacturer recommended intervals.

During service, the contaminated engine oil is completely drained out and is replaced by fresh oil.

The different types of engine oil are mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic.

Service intervals are determined by the type of engine oil used. Mineral engine oils should be replaced at 5,000km intervals, while synthetic engine oils have an interval of 10,000km.

Engine oil containers have a combination of numbers and a letter. For example, in 10W30. 10 is the viscosity of the oil in cold temperatures while the number after W tells you the viscosity of the oil when the engine is operating under normal temperature.

Reputed brands of mineral engine oil cost Rs 370 for three litres, while synthetic engine oil costs Rs 2,700 for three litres. Castrol, Petronas, Shell and Mobil1 are reputed brands of engine oil.

Automobile braking systems work on hydraulics and a lubricating fluid called brake oil is necessary for them to function. Brake oil has evolved to ensure better operation and reliability of the system.

DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 are the types of brake oil listed corresponding to their boiling points as they work in very high temperature environments. DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake oils are most commonly used.

Boiling points for common brake fluids

The boiling point of brake oil needs to be high to avoid vaporisation, as vapour is compressible and will hamper the effectiveness of a hydraulic system. Over time, due to moisture content in the atmosphere brake oil absorbs moisture. The boiling point of brake oil after absorbing moisture is known as its wet boiling point.

DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are able to absorb water to an extent (hygroscopic) under normal humidity levels. DOT 5 is silicon based and cannot absorb water (non-hygroscopic). DOT 5 brake oil is not compatible with anti-lock braking systems. Silicone brake oil is used in very cold climates.

Brake oil must be changed every two years as the oil gets saturated with moisture. The moisture content can also corrode seals and metal inside the braking system. Old brake oil is flushed out completely and replaced with new oil.

Ensure an adequate level of brake oil is refilled according to the marking on the container located in the engine bay. If the level drops, top up with the grade of brake oil recommended by the car manufacturer. Do not use brake oil from an opened bottle as it will have absorbed moisture from the atmosphere.

Wash off any brake oil residue that might have spilled in the engine bay while refilling as it can corrode the paint.

Castrol, Petronas and Mobil are the best brake oil brands. A litre of branded brake oil costs about Rs 300.

The friction between metal parts causes wear and tear. Engine oil keeps such wear and tear to a minimum as it reduces friction. This is why you are required to change engine oil at regular intervals as it gets saturated with metallic particles.

Engine oil is drained from the engine and replaced with new engine oil. However, when an engine is not serviced regularly metallic particles mix with engine oil form 'sludge'. The sludge can get left behind despite draining the engine oil. Sludge hampers engine performance and increases engine wear and tear.

Engine flush is a technique of using appropriate chemicals to remove the accumulated sludge from an engine. It is not a decarbonising agent and is meant to give the internals of an engine a bath to drain the sludge. There are many brands of engine flush solutions. Different brands require different amounts of engine cleansing flush to be mixed with engine oil according to the size of the engine.

Once the engine flush solution is poured into the engine, the engine needs to be idled for a period of time. Different engine flush solutions require the engine to be idled for different amounts of time. Do not rev the engine when engine flush chemicals are mixed with the engine oil.

After the engine has been idled with the engine flush solution for the specified period of time, turn off the engine and drain the oil. Make sure the oil filter is changed before refilling the engine with fresh engine oil.

The downside to engine oil flush is that chemicals in the engine oil flush corrode the rubber seals of the engine, making them loose over time. Expert mechanics do not recommend engine oil flush till an engine has clocked a lot of kilometres. Intervals between engine flush should be considerable as frequent engine flushing will result in premature wearing out of the rubber engine seals.

If a vehicle is regularly serviced and the engine oil changed periodically, there is no need for an engine flush until the engine has clocked a considerable number of kilometres (approximately 80,000-1,00,000km).

The price of engine flush solutions varies from brand to brand. Some of the best brands for engine flush solutions are 3M, AMSOIL and Motul. Prices for engine flush solutions range from Rs 350 onwards.