7 Engine Oil Myths Stupid People Fall For - Summary

Summary

The video discusses the importance of motor oil in car engines, its types, viscosities, and standards. Here's a concise summary:

**Why Motor Oil is Important:**

* Lubricates the engine to reduce friction and heat
* Absorbs heat and cleans the engine
* Prevents engine damage and overheating

**Types of Motor Oil:**

* Conventional oil: made from crude oil, low cost, but less refined
* Synthetic oil: chemically engineered, more consistent, and better for engines
* Synthetic blend: a combination of synthetic and conventional oil, offers better protection and performance
* High mileage oil: designed for older cars with over 75,000 miles, minimizes oil burn-off and leaks

**Viscosity:**

* Measures the fluid's resistance to flow
* Can be low or high, depending on climate and engine type
* Thickness or thinness of oil, e.g., 0W-20, 5W-30

**GF6 Standard:**

* New standard for motor oil, approved by ILSAC
* Designed to improve fuel economy and enhance engine capabilities
* Two types: GF6A (backwards compatible) and GF6B (for newer engines)

**Oil Change Frequency:**

* Depends on factors like vehicle age, oil type, driving style, and climate
* Typically every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, but can vary

**Common Myths:**

* Black oil doesn't always need to be changed
* Thicker motor oil isn't always better for wear protection
* Oil additives are not all the same
* Synthetics don't cause oil leaks, and you can switch back to conventional oil if needed
* Oil filters should be changed every time the oil is changed

The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of regular oil changes in maintaining engine health and preventing costly repairs.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. Motor oil is also known as engine oil and engine lubricant.
2. Car engines have many moving parts that create friction and heat when they move and rub against each other.
3. Motor oil lubricates the engine to reduce friction, absorbs heat, and cleans the engine.
4. Motor oil breaks down and wears out over time, making it less effective in lubricating the engine and absorbing heat.
5. There are four main types of motor oil: conventional oil, synthetic oil, synthetic blends, and high mileage oil.
6. Conventional oil is made from crude oil that is refined and processed with additives at a factory.
7. Synthetic oil is chemically engineered and is generally more consistent, refined, and better for the engine than conventional oil.
8. Synthetic blends are a combination of synthetic and organic oil and provide better protection and performance than conventional oil.
9. High mileage oil is enhanced with specific additives to minimize oil burn-off and oil leaks, protect engine seals, and improve performance for older cars.
10. Viscosity measures the fluid's resistance to flow, and motor oil can have low or high viscosity.
11. The viscosity of motor oil is indicated by a number before the letter "W" (winter) and another number after the letter "W" (summer).
12. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ILSAC) sets the performance standards for motor oil used in gas-powered cars and light trucks.
13. The GF6 standard is the new standard for motor oil, designed to improve fuel economy and enhance engine capabilities.
14. Oils that meet the GF6A standard show the starburst API mark on the container, while oils that meet the GF6B standard display the new API shield.
15. The frequency of oil changes depends on many factors, including vehicle age, oil type, driving habits, and climate.
16. Modern engines have recommended change intervals of 5,000 to 7,000 miles for many cars.
17. Signs that an engine needs an oil change include an oil monitoring system warning, increased engine noise, and an oil smell inside the car.
18. Black oil does not always need to be changed; the color of the oil can darken due to high engine temperatures and oxidation.
19. Thicker motor oil is not always better for extra wear protection; using oil that is thicker than recommended can decrease engine efficiency.
20. Different additives are designed for different purposes and are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
21. Synthetics do not cause oil leaks, and modern synthetics have come a long way in protecting engine parts.
22. It is possible to switch from synthetic oil to conventional oil and back again.
23. Oil filters should be changed every time the oil is changed, as their performance degrades over time.