Introduction
The engine is often the 'heart' of an automobile. Just like how we humans need to keep our heart and mind in the finest of conditions, it is important to maintain and service the powertrain to ensure a smooth ride.
One of, if not the most important aspect of vehicle maintenance, especially under the hood, is engine oil. The quality of the oil largely affects the lifespan of your engine. Some of us might lack the concern to the type of motor oil that goes into our engine, having the common mentality - oil is oil, right?
Types of engine oils
There are three types of engine oils.
Firstly, we have mineral oils that are refined and derived from nature. Mineral oils come from the ground and are created from the oil refining process. They have been around for a long period of time and it's less expensive than synthetic oils.
Secondly, we have synthetic oils that are more expensive because of the chemical engineering involved in laboratories. They still have a base mineral oil, but they've been engineered to allow for more miles to be driven between oil changes, and they often have additives to help keep the oil cleaner for an extended period. It's also more stable at optimum temperatures than mineral oil.
Lastly, we have the semi-synthetic or premium oil which is essentially a mixture of the above mentioned two.
What does it do?
Your engine oil performs as a lubricant under tremendous heat and pressure and prevents friction between all metal surfaces in your engine when grinding together.
It also transfers heat away from the combustion cycle and delays nasty by-products like silica (silicon oxide) and acids. Finally, engine oil minimises the exposure to oxygen and thus reduces oxidation at higher temperatures.
Oils get thinner as they heat up. Single grade oils get too thin when heated for most modern engines.
KiC engine oil coats all surfaces to provide a protected layer which reduces wear and tear
The engine is often the 'heart' of an automobile. Just like how we humans need to keep our heart and mind in the finest of conditions, it is important to maintain and service the powertrain to ensure a smooth ride.
One of, if not the most important aspect of vehicle maintenance, especially under the hood, is engine oil. The quality of the oil largely affects the lifespan of your engine. Some of us might lack the concern to the type of motor oil that goes into our engine, having the common mentality - oil is oil, right?
Types of engine oils
There are three types of engine oils.
Firstly, we have mineral oils that are refined and derived from nature. Mineral oils come from the ground and are created from the oil refining process. They have been around for a long period of time and it's less expensive than synthetic oils.
Secondly, we have synthetic oils that are more expensive because of the chemical engineering involved in laboratories. They still have a base mineral oil, but they've been engineered to allow for more miles to be driven between oil changes, and they often have additives to help keep the oil cleaner for an extended period. It's also more stable at optimum temperatures than mineral oil.
Lastly, we have the semi-synthetic or premium oil which is essentially a mixture of the above mentioned two.
What does it do?
Your engine oil performs as a lubricant under tremendous heat and pressure and prevents friction between all metal surfaces in your engine when grinding together.
It also transfers heat away from the combustion cycle and delays nasty by-products like silica (silicon oxide) and acids. Finally, engine oil minimises the exposure to oxygen and thus reduces oxidation at higher temperatures.
Oils get thinner as they heat up. Single grade oils get too thin when heated for most modern engines.
Grading / Classification / Oil Viscosity
An organisation called the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) tests all engine oil at roughly 98.9 degrees Celsius, which is the usual temperature an engine operates at. They run the oil through a device to time the oil flow, in seconds, from one end to the other. There are two ways to how oil thickness is measured: single grade and multi-grade.
A SAE 30 classification is single grade oil that takes approximately 30 seconds to flow through the tube. Oil changes its thickness with temperature and the single rating only represents the flow of oil when it's warm. When performing a cold start, oil flows more slowly, hence, there is a need for a multi-grade rating that gives you both a hot and cold rating.
Thus for multi-grade rating 10W-30 classification, the 30 is similar to the single grade rating but the 10W is the rating for cold starts, derived from a standardised rating system developed by the SAE for winter oil use.
While the 'W' itself refers to winter, the numbers represent how long it takes for the oil to flow. The thinner the oil, the smoother it moves through and lubricates parts of your engine. The best engine oils have just about the right viscosity to ensure a smooth flow between components.
When to Change Your Oil
For decades, the basic rule for oil change was every 4,800 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months, whichever came first. Yet with advances in technology, engine design, and advanced engine oils, most modern cars can function farther between oil changes.
Many modern cars can go between 8,000 or 16,000km (5,000 - 10, 000 miles) between oil changes, depending on your driving habits and the model you drive. If you are a heavy driver you might have to change it a sooner than a light-footed driver though.
As cars are fitted with more and more technologies, some modern cars can also function as your assistant in informing you the car's next oil change - like the iDrive system in a BMW.
An organisation called the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) tests all engine oil at roughly 98.9 degrees Celsius, which is the usual temperature an engine operates at. They run the oil through a device to time the oil flow, in seconds, from one end to the other. There are two ways to how oil thickness is measured: single grade and multi-grade.
A SAE 30 classification is single grade oil that takes approximately 30 seconds to flow through the tube. Oil changes its thickness with temperature and the single rating only represents the flow of oil when it's warm. When performing a cold start, oil flows more slowly, hence, there is a need for a multi-grade rating that gives you both a hot and cold rating.
Thus for multi-grade rating 10W-30 classification, the 30 is similar to the single grade rating but the 10W is the rating for cold starts, derived from a standardised rating system developed by the SAE for winter oil use.
While the 'W' itself refers to winter, the numbers represent how long it takes for the oil to flow. The thinner the oil, the smoother it moves through and lubricates parts of your engine. The best engine oils have just about the right viscosity to ensure a smooth flow between components.
When to Change Your Oil
For decades, the basic rule for oil change was every 4,800 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months, whichever came first. Yet with advances in technology, engine design, and advanced engine oils, most modern cars can function farther between oil changes.
Many modern cars can go between 8,000 or 16,000km (5,000 - 10, 000 miles) between oil changes, depending on your driving habits and the model you drive. If you are a heavy driver you might have to change it a sooner than a light-footed driver though.
As cars are fitted with more and more technologies, some modern cars can also function as your assistant in informing you the car's next oil change - like the iDrive system in a BMW.
Checking Your Oil
There is one practical method to checking your engine oil which was covered under our used car buying guide.
Somewhere under the hood, among the engine block and wires you'll find a dipstick with a hook of some kind for pulling it out. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe off the end with a towel. You'll notice the minimum and maximum markings at the end, after wiping. After cleaning, put the dipstick back and pull it out again. Usually the oil level should be closer to the maximum than the minimum.
Do remember to turn off your engine, and make sure your engine is cool when performing an oil check!
Adding Oil
Adding engine oil is honestly as easy as filling a water bottle, though it can get dirty. All you need is a funnel and the engine oil.
Find out the viscosity rating recommendation for your car, which can be found in your car guide or consult a mechanic if still unsure. Unscrew the oil cap on top of the engine and with a funnel, add about half the bottle of oil, wait for it to settle and check the dipstick again. Fill till the oil bubble shows the desired level, but DO NOT overfill the engine.
When done, screw the oil cap back on and return the dipstick to its place.
Storage
Motor oils that are sealed in proper storage can remain intact for almost four years. The main factor affecting shelf life of oils is the storage condition, temperature changes, and moisture.
Still constantly changing regulations and updated engine technologies can make unused engine oil obsolete as they fail to meet the technical standards on improving engines. But this will only be of concern if you've bought a brand new car but have a bottle of unused engine oil bought some years back.
There is one practical method to checking your engine oil which was covered under our used car buying guide.
Somewhere under the hood, among the engine block and wires you'll find a dipstick with a hook of some kind for pulling it out. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe off the end with a towel. You'll notice the minimum and maximum markings at the end, after wiping. After cleaning, put the dipstick back and pull it out again. Usually the oil level should be closer to the maximum than the minimum.
Do remember to turn off your engine, and make sure your engine is cool when performing an oil check!
Adding Oil
Adding engine oil is honestly as easy as filling a water bottle, though it can get dirty. All you need is a funnel and the engine oil.
Find out the viscosity rating recommendation for your car, which can be found in your car guide or consult a mechanic if still unsure. Unscrew the oil cap on top of the engine and with a funnel, add about half the bottle of oil, wait for it to settle and check the dipstick again. Fill till the oil bubble shows the desired level, but DO NOT overfill the engine.
When done, screw the oil cap back on and return the dipstick to its place.
Storage
Motor oils that are sealed in proper storage can remain intact for almost four years. The main factor affecting shelf life of oils is the storage condition, temperature changes, and moisture.
Still constantly changing regulations and updated engine technologies can make unused engine oil obsolete as they fail to meet the technical standards on improving engines. But this will only be of concern if you've bought a brand new car but have a bottle of unused engine oil bought some years back.
Examples
Taking Castrol as an example, they dominated the market for years with their GTX mineral oil. This was bested by semi-synthetic and synthetic oils with the GTX2 and GTX3 Lightec with the GTX Magnatec being the latest variant. Like Castrol almost every major oil company like Shell, SPC, ExxonMobil or Esso have their own home brand oils featured in mart racks at their respective petrol stations.
While Castrol is relatively a global heavy weight, Blaze Trading Services, a local company is the exclusive distributor for Japan based KiC engine oil products. Blaze Trading Services was established in 2006 with the aim of bringing local petrolheads certain reputable brands from the performance parts and accessories range for the Asian region.
Kic engine oil is even suitable for street-cred car like this
Why KiC Engine Oil?
The KiC range of engine oils is exclusively tested on the race track. Used in the DC5 Honda Integra Type R & EK9 Honda Civic Type R racing cars from the Project µ racing teams, they have won a total of 5-times participating in various races in the Asian region.
KiC engine oils are specially formulated with a Hyper-U99i Ultra Viscosity Elastic Annex, which is basically an additive that is exclusive to the Asian region. Keeping the hot and humid climate in Asia in mind, this special additive coats all surfaces to provide a protected layer. By doing so wear & tear is greatly reduced in places that will experience friction and which in turn enhances your engine performance.
Moreover other benefits include high temperature stability and low engine noise for a smoother and comfortable ride.
For more information, please visit here or you can get in contact with Blaze Trading Services at 6841 3724.
Taking Castrol as an example, they dominated the market for years with their GTX mineral oil. This was bested by semi-synthetic and synthetic oils with the GTX2 and GTX3 Lightec with the GTX Magnatec being the latest variant. Like Castrol almost every major oil company like Shell, SPC, ExxonMobil or Esso have their own home brand oils featured in mart racks at their respective petrol stations.
While Castrol is relatively a global heavy weight, Blaze Trading Services, a local company is the exclusive distributor for Japan based KiC engine oil products. Blaze Trading Services was established in 2006 with the aim of bringing local petrolheads certain reputable brands from the performance parts and accessories range for the Asian region.
Why KiC Engine Oil?
The KiC range of engine oils is exclusively tested on the race track. Used in the DC5 Honda Integra Type R & EK9 Honda Civic Type R racing cars from the Project µ racing teams, they have won a total of 5-times participating in various races in the Asian region.
KiC engine oils are specially formulated with a Hyper-U99i Ultra Viscosity Elastic Annex, which is basically an additive that is exclusive to the Asian region. Keeping the hot and humid climate in Asia in mind, this special additive coats all surfaces to provide a protected layer. By doing so wear & tear is greatly reduced in places that will experience friction and which in turn enhances your engine performance.
Moreover other benefits include high temperature stability and low engine noise for a smoother and comfortable ride.
For more information, please visit here or you can get in contact with Blaze Trading Services at 6841 3724.
