The Essential Guide To Motor Oil

Here's something your didn't know about motor oil.

Contents

Introduction 2

Whatdoesmotoroildoinmyengineand whyisitimportant? 3

Whatismotoroilmadeupof? 4

WhydoIneedtochangemymotoroil? 5

HowoftenshouldIchange mymotoroil? 5

Choosingtherightmotoroil 6

WhatareAPIratings? 7

WhatareACEAratings? 7

WhatareILSACratings? 8

WhatareOEMratings? 8

WhatgradeofengineoilshouldIuse? 9

Warranty 9

HowdoImaketherightchoice? Good 10 Better 11 Best 12

Whatisasimportanttomycar’s performanceaschangingtheoil? 13

Safetyinformation 14

HowdoIdisposeofusedoil? 14

Formoreinformation 14

IntroductionForover140years,Valvoline®hasservedtheneedsofcarownerswithqualitymotoroilsandautomotiveproductslongerthananyothermotoroilcompany.Infact,Valvolineistheoldesttrademarkintheentirepetroleumindustry.

Valvoline®understandsthattoday'smotoroilmarkethasanincreasingassortmentofengineoilsneededtocaterforthevariouscarmakesandmodels.

Choosingthemotoroilthatisrightforyourvehicleandbudgetisacommonsourceofconfusionandfrustration.Thisguidetomotoroilaimstoremoveconfusionandkeepmotoroilsimple.Ithasbeendevelopedtohelpyoubetterunderstandthebasicsofmotoroilsoyoucanmakeaninformedchoice.Themoreyouknowaboutmotoroil,thebetteryouwillbeabletoprotectyourvehicle'sengine.

Valvoline®,adivisionofAshland,isaleadinginnovatorandsupplierofquality,high-performingautomotiveandindustrialproductsinmorethan100countries.Bestknownforitslubricants,ValvolinealsomarketsEagleOne®appearanceproducts,SynPower®performanceproducts,Pyroil®automotivechemicalsandMaxLife®productscreatedforhigher-mileageengines.

IfyouhaveanyfurtherquestionsorcommentsregardingValvoline®products,pleasecallourTechnicalHotline1800804658between8.30am-4.30pmMondaytoFridayAEST.

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What does motor oil do in my engine and why is it important?

Themainpurposeofmotoroilistostopmetalfromtouchingmetal.Anenginecontainshundredsofmovingpartsthatmustbekeptseparatefromeachother.Ifmetalsurfacescomeincontact,wearmayoccurandfrictionwillincrease.Withfrictioncomesheat,andheatwillwarpanddistortmovingengineparts.Motoroilcreatesaslickfilmbetweenmetalpartsthatletsthemglideovereachother.

Motoroilalso:

- Reducesfrictionandpreventswear;

- Allowsforeasystarting;

- Sealstinygapsbetweenthepistonring andcylinderwalls;

- Coolsmovingpartsbydispersingheat;

- Keepsenginesurfacesclean;

- Holdsforeigndeposits(likebyproducts ofcombustion)insuspensionawayfrom engineparts;and

- Preventsrustandcorrosion.

What is motor oil made up of?

MotoroilhaschangeddramaticallysinceValvolinefirstlaunchedlubricatingoilsover140yearsago.Modernmotoroilsaremadeupofthefollowing:

Thebasestocksusedcanbeconventionalstocks,manmadesyntheticsoramixtureofconventionalandsyntheticstocks.

Conventionalbaseoilsaremadefromcrudeoilwhichhasundergonecertainextractionprocessesandminorchemicalrestructuringinanoilrefinery.Conventionalbaseoilsareamixtureofthousandsofdifferentchemicals.

Syntheticsdifferfromconventionalbaseoilsinthattheyaresynthesizedfromrelativelypurechemicalsforspecificallydesignedperformancecharacteristics.Therawmaterialforsyntheticscouldcomefrommanysources.Syntheticbasestocksgenerallyoffersuperiorlowtemperatureflowpropertiesandenhancedresponsetocertainengineoiladditives.

Regardlessofthetypeofbasestocksused,itisnecessarytocombinethemwithadditivestomeetthedemandingrequirementsofmodernengines

Additivesarethe“activeingredient”inmotoroils.Theseadditivesmustbereplenishedthroughregularoilchanges.Theymayincludeanyofthefollowing:

- Detergents

- Dispersants

- Anti-WearAgents

- ExtremePressureAdditives

- OxidationInhibitors

- Anti-FoamingAgents

- RustandCorrosionInhibitors

- ViscosityIndexImprovers

- PourPointDepressants

- FrictionModifiers

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Basestocks Additives+

Why do I need to change my motor oil?

Afteraperiodofuse,motoroildeterioratesandbecomesunabletodoanefficientjoblubricatingandcoolingengineparts.Thetwomainreasonsforthisare:

Accumulationofcontaminants

Duringthenormaloperationofanengine,contaminantsbegintoaccumulateintheengineoil.Theengineoilisdesignedtolockawayandneutraliseby-productsofcombustionsuchassoot,carbonandacids.Ascontaminantlevelsbuild-upovertime,criticalpropertiesoftheengineoilsuchasviscositycanbeaffected.

Depletionofoiladditives

Additivesareconsumedastheyperformtheirvitalrole.Iftheadditivesaredepleted,corrosion,oxidationandacceleratedenginewearcanoccur.Forthisreason,enginemanufacturersrecommendthattheoilbechangedatcertaintimeordistanceintervalstoensureprotectionofyourequipmentisnotcompromised.

How often should I change my motor oil?

Sometypesofcaroperationsaremoreseverethanothers,placinggreaterdemandsonthemotoroilandcallingformorefrequentoilchanges.Forthisreason,carmanufacturersgivetworecommendationsforoilchangesintheirowner'smanuals.

StandardService

Standardconditionsaregenerallywhereavehicledrivesmorethan15,000kmperyearonbitumen,withlittlestopstartdrivingandfewperiodsoflongidling.

TheseserviceconditionscanbemetwithahighperformancemineraloilfromoneoftheproductsinValvoline’sXLDrange.

SevereService

Ifyoudriveincitytraffic,dolotsofshorttrips,driveoffthebitumen,ortowanysortofload,youaredrivinginsevereconditions.

Theseserviceconditionscanbemetwitheitherafullsynthetic,suchasSynPowerorasyntheticblendsuchasDuraBlendorSynGard.

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Choosing the right motor oil

Thefirststepinchoosingmotoroilistochecktheowner'smanualfortherecommendedSAE(SocietyofAutomotiveEngineers)viscositygradeforyourvehicle.

TherearetwocommontypesofSAEclassifications:monogradeandmultigrade.AmonogradesuchasSAE30hascertaincoldweatherlimitations.Inverycoldweather,itmaynotflowadequatelytoprotecttheengineduringthetimetheenginetakestoreachoperatingtemperature.

Multigradeoils,suchasSAE10W-30,canbeusedacrossabroadrangeoftemperatures.Thesearewidelyusedbecausetheyallowforeasystartingandpumpingatlowtemperatures;yettheyarethickenoughathightemperaturestolubricateeffectively.

TheWstandsfor“winter”andindicatesthattheoilmeetscertainviscosityrequirementsforlowtemperatureorwinteroperation.

ThenumberinfrontoftheWindicatesthelowtemperatureviscosity.Thenumberreferstotheviscosityoftheoilwhentheengineiscoldandindicatestheoilsperformancewhentheengineisstartingup.Thethinnertheoilwhencoldthequickeritmovesaroundtheengineandthefasteritprotectsvitalenginecomponents.

Thehigh-temperatureviscosity(thesecondnumber,30ina10W-30)indicatesthicknessatoperatingtemperature.Thickeroilsmakeiteasiertomaintainoilpressureandreducethetendencyforoilconsumption,particularlyinwornengines.Thickoilstradeofffuelefficiencytoachievethisastheenginehastoworkhardertomovetheoilaround.

Whencomparingviscositynumbers,ahighernumberwillnotflowaseasilyasalownumber.

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S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

S A E 1 0 W - 3 0

What are API ratings?

TheAmericanPetroleumInstitute(API)classificationsystemprovidesinformationabouttheengineoil.

Theletter“S”followedbyanotherletter (forexample“SM”)indicatesthattheoil isappropriateforpetrolengines.SMoils aresuperiortoSLoilsinmany performancecriteriaincludingenhanced fuelefficiencywhilstalsomeetingthe “energyconserving”classificationand enhancedemissionssystemsprotection.

Theletter“C”followedbyanotherletter and/ornumber(forexampleCI-4)indicates thattheoilisappropriatefordieselengines.

Thesecondletterinboththe“S”andthe “C”categoriesisassignedalphabetically. Generallythefurtheralongwemovein thealphabetindicatesthelatesttechnology andqualityenhancementsinmotoroil.

What are ACEA ratings?

ACEAstandsfortheAssociationdesConstructeursEuropeensd’AutomobilesandrepresentsalargegroupofEuropeanenginemanufacturers.ACEAhasestablishedfourperformancecategories:theAcategoryforpetrolengines;theBcategoryforpassengercardieselengines;theCcategoryrepresentscatalystcompatibleoils;theEcategoryforheavydutydieselengines.

ACategory(petrolengines)

A1andA2oilsrepresentthebaseperformancelevelwithA1beingusedforlowerviscosityfuelefficientoilsandA2forhigherviscosityoils.A3andA5oilsarethehighestperformingACEAgasolineengineoilswiththeA3beingusedforthehigherperformanceoilsandA5forthehighperformancelowerviscosityfuelefficientoils.TheA4classificationisreservedforafuturespecificationfordirectinjectiongasolineengines.

BCategory(passengercardieselengines)

TheBcategoryissimilarlydividedwiththeexceptionthattheB4classificationfordirectinjectionpassengerdieselengineshasbeenestablishedandthattheB5classificationcombinestheperformancerequirementsofB3andB4inalowerviscosityfuelefficientoil.

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CCategory(catalystcompatibleengines)

TheCcategoryisintendedforusewithvehiclesfittedwithdieselparticulatefiltersandthreewaycatalystsinpetrolapplications.C1andC2classificationsarebasedonACEAA5/B5ratings,whilsttheC3classificationisbasedonACEAA3/B3ratings.

What are ILSAC ratings?

ILSACstandsfortheInternationalLubricantStandardisationAdvisoryCommittee.ForlubricantstomeettheGFspecification,theymustprovetobeenergyconserving.WiththelatestratingbeingGF-4,itprovidesbetterfueleconomythanGF-3.IntheAustralianmarketyoumayfindthefollowingILSACratings:

- ILSACGF-3(introducedin2001)

- ILSACGF-4(introducedin2004)

What are OEM approvals?

SomeOEMsspecifythatengineoilsmustmeetarangeofstringentrequirementsbeforeitcanbeusedandwarrantedintheirengines.Tominimisemisapplication,ValvolinehavenotedwhethertheserequirementshavebeenmetbynotingOEMperformancespecificationsonpack;themostcommonapprovalsinAustraliabeingthefollowing:

- BMW: LL98andLL01

- Ford: M2C-915A,M2C153E/F andM2C-153G

- GeneralMotors: GM6094M

- MercedesBenz: MB229.1,MB229.3 andMB229.5

- Volkswagen: VW502.00,VW503.01, VW504.00,VW505.00 andVW507.00

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So, what grade of engine oil should I use?

Thereareanumberofwaystodeterminewhatengineoilissuitedtoyourvehicle.Thebestwaytofindthecorrectlubricantgradeandrecommendationistorefertoyourvehicleowner’smanual.Inhereyoushouldbeabletolocate:

- ViscosityorSAErating

- API,ACEA,ILSACandOEMapproval

Ifyouareunabletoaccessyourvehicleowner’smanualmostautopartstockistswillhaveaValvolinelubricationrecommendationguide.HereyoucanlookupthemakeandmodelofyourvehicleandmatchtoittheValvolineengineoilbestsuitedtoyourvehicle.

Youcanalsoobtainthisinformationonlineatwww.valvoline.com.au/lube_frame.cfm

Youwillbepresentedwithanengineoilrecommendationthatalsoincludessuitabletransmissionandpowersteeringfluidsforyourvehicle.Thelubricantguidewillalsoadvisehowmanylitresyouwillrequiretoperformtheoilchange.

Warranty

Valvoline’srangeofengineoilseithermeetorexceedtheratingsprintedonpack.Providingthatyouselectthecorrectlubricantforyourvehicle,Valvolineguaranteestheengineoilusedwillnotvoidnewcarwarranty.

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GoodValvoline’srangeofconventionalmineralbasedoilsaresuitablefortheeverydaydriver.Standardserviceconditionscanbemetwiththefollowingproducts:

How do I make the right choice?

XLD Lo-Vis10W-30

- Meetslatestengine specifications - Premiumbasestocks - Enhancedfuelefficiency - APISMILSACGF-4

XLD Plus 20W-50

- Forconventionaland multivalveengines - Premiummineralbase stocks - APISL/CF,ACEAA2,B2

XLD Premium 20W-50

- Forconventionaland multivalveengines - Premiummineralbase stocks - APISJ/CF,ACEAA2,B2

XLD Classic 20W-50

- Offersprotectionforcars manufacturedbefore1993 - APISG/CD

XLD HiVis 20W-60

- Developedtoprotectand extendthelifeofolder technologyandworn engines - APISJ/CD

Diesel Formula 15W-40

- Forturboandnonturbo dieselengines - APICG-4

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BetterSometimesyouneedaBetteroiltocopewithyourdrivingconditions.Severeserviceconditionscanbemetwiththefollowingproducts.

How do I make the right choice?

DuraBlend 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 and 15W-50

- speciallyformulatedfor toughdrivingconditions, stop-godriving,extended idling,shorttrips&towing

SynGard 10W-40

- Providesengineprotection fromstartuptoshutdown - SynGardwithAdvanced Chemaloy®Shieldreduces enginewearandimproves engineresponsivenessand ensureshighengine performance - Providesbetterdeposit controlforacleanerengine - APISM/CFACEAA3,B3

MaxLife 20W-50

- Forhighmileageengines - Suitsmost4,6and8 cylinderengines withover100,000km - APISM/CFACEAA3,B3

XLD Engine Armour 15W-40

- Qualitysyntheticfortified forimproved protectionoverstandard mineraloils - APISM/CFACEAA3,B3

Super Diesel 15W-40

- Forturboand nonturboengines - SuitsCummins,Mackand Caterpillarengines - APICH-4/SJ

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BestSometimesonlythebestwilldo.SevereandhighperformanceapplicationscanbemetwithValvoline'sSynPowerrange.

Valvoline’sSynPowermotoroilisspeciallyformulatedwith100%syntheticbasestocksforultimateprotection,highperformance,longdrainandsevereserviceapplication.

How do I make the right choice?

SynPower 0W-40, MXL 0W-30, 5W-40 and 10W-50

- Maximumthermaland oxidationstability - Fullycompatiblewithall conventionalmotoroils - Offerssuperiorlow temperatureandhigh temperatureproperties - Optimumcoldstart properties - Lowestoilburnoff - Enhancedwearprotection

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What is as important to my car’s performance as changing the oil?

Lookingafteryourvehicleisnotjustamatterofchangingyouroilregularly.FormaximumengineprotectionValvolinerecommendsthatyouchangeyouroilfiltereverytimeyouchangeyouroil.

Cleaningandprotectingyourfuelsystemisasimportanttoyourcar'sperformanceaschangingtheoil.Formaximumengineperformanceaddfuelinjectorcleanertoyourfueleverytimeyouchangeyouroilandevery5000km.

ChangeOil

Valvolineofferthechoiceofamineralbased, syntheticblendorfullsyntheticlubricants –whichoneyouchooseisdependenton yourvehicleanddrivinghabits.

ChangeOilFilter

Whenselectedcorrectlyandproperly installed,Valvolinefiltersmeetorexceed OEMrequirements.Valvolineguarantees itsfiltersarecompletelyfreeofanyfault ordefectsinbothmaterialsand workmanship.WhenyoubuyValvoline filters,youcanbesureyourengineis wellprotected.

AddFuelInjectorCleaneratnextfuelfill

ValvolineFuelInjectorandCarbyCleaner restorespowertoyourengineinonesimple treatmentbyremovingthedepositsthatplug, blockandaffecttheperformanceoffuel injectorsandcarburettors.Italsocleans intakevalvesandremovesdepositsfrom combustionchambers.

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How do I dispose of used oil?

Protectourenvironment.Donotpollutedrains,soilorwaterwithusedengineoil.Pleasedisposeofusedoilinaccordancewithstatewastemanagementauthorityrequirements.

Improperlydisposedmotoroilcancontaminatedrinkingwaterandpoisonwildlife.Infact,theusedmotoroilgeneratedfromoneoilchangecancontaminatemorethanonemillionlitresofwater.

Formoreinformationonusedoilrecyclingvisitwww.oilrecycling.com.au

For your safety

Becarefulwhenhandlingusedoil.Avoidskincontactwithusedengineoil.Wearsuitablegloves.Aftercontactwithskin,washimmediatelywithsoapandwater.Prolongedandrepeatedcontactwithusedengineoilfrompetrolenginesmaycauseskincancer.Alwaysensurethebottleisstoreduprightandthecapistight.

For more information

FormoreinformationpleasecontacttheValvolineTechnicalHotlineon1800804658between8.30am-4.30pmMondaytoFridayAEST.

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For more information contact the Valvoline Technical Hotline on

1800 804 658

® Registered Trademark, Ashland.

Valvoline (Australia) Pty Ltd30 Davis Rd, WETHERILL PARK

NSW 2164