Oil FAQ

What are the advantages of quality oil?

Quality engine oil provides your engine with a number of benefits:
Easier cold starts and reduced wear (20 to 30% of engine wear occurs between start up and the time the engine reaches optimal temperature).  Longer engine life, fuel savings as a result of reduced friction of moving parts and better engine performance.

Why choose synthetic oil?

Semi-synthetic and synthetic oils are made from non-conventional bases using chemical processes which confer special properties to the finished product.  First, the high level of viscosity of the base oils used gives the finished lubricant remarkably stable viscosity whatever the temperature. This property is one of its major advantages over mineral oils, made from conventional bases which require a greater number of additives in order to improve viscosity.

The stability of lubrication in all temperatures guarantees optimum efficacy in the cold starting phase which is particularly demanding on the engine as well as under conditions of extreme heat.  Synthetic-based lubricants show greater resistance to oxidation, which gives them longer effective life thus guaranteeing longer engine life.

The use of non-conventional bases, finally, permits the elaboration of more fluid lubricants, without being more volatile; resulting in a reduction of oil consumption.

Therefore, choosing a synthetic based oil is the technologically advance choice, for greater efficacy, longevity and controlled oil consumption.

Why change the oil?

You should change your oil regularly according to manufacturer’s specifications because lubricants collect particles of internal and external pollution.  It is recommended to check the level regularly every 1,000 km and especially before a long trip.

What do the numbers mean on the oil bottle?

The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) has developed a means of classifying lubricants in order to specify their viscosity levels when hot and when cold. 

The viscosity designation is made up of two numbers separated by the letter “W” (for “Winter” for the cold grade)
The numbers that come before the W refer to the product’s cold grade, i.e., it's viscosity at low temperatures.
The lower the viscosity when cold, the more fluid the oil is at low temperatures and the more easily it can be pumped.

The numbers to the right of the letter “W” are its hot grade. The higher the grade, the more viscous the oil will be at high temperatures.

What is an API rating and what does API mean?

Ever wondered what API means when selecting which engine oil you should use?

An API (American Petroleum Institute) rating is the service rating of passenger car and commercial automotive motor oils.  The program certifies that engine oil meets certain Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM ) quality and performance standards.

The service rating is shown in the API "Service Symbol Donut" on the product label.  The “S” Represents a petrol engine application and the “C” represents a Diesel application.

Download the American Petroleum Instistue API guide for further information.