Learn More About Valvoline Oil
| January 17, 2012 | Posted by admin under Articles |
Learn More About Valvoline Oil
Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Oil
More About Oil Types, Weights & Viscosity
More About NextGen Recycled Oil
More About Synthetic Oil
More About High Mileage Oil
More About Racing Oil
Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Oil
Does motor oil have an expiration date? How long is it generally good for?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner’s manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
Does oil ever wear out or does it just get dirty?
Motor oil breaks down with mileage and time – the oil additives weaken as the engine oil is used. Dirt can be a factor as well. Changing motor oil on a regular basis will eliminate these factors.
Are conventional (regular) motor oils natural, unprocessed products?
The base oils used in conventional motor oils come from a natural source and are then put through a hydrocarbon process in which the additives are blended.
Why do some motor oils carry the “API Certified – For Gasoline Engines” starburst symbol on the bottle while others do not?
Additive packages used in some motor oils such as high mileage motor oils can affect the ratings due to the American Petroleum Institute approving these standards. The oils will still meet the requirements for API Certification.
Does Valvoline Conventional motor oil meet GM standard GM6094M?
All Valvoline motor oils meet the GM standard GM6094M including SynPower, DuraBlend, Premium Conventional, and MaxLife.
Are Valvoline All-Climate and Valvoline Premium Conventional the same product?
Yes. The name All-Climate was simply updated to Premium Conventional.
Will changing my own motor oil or using a certain brand void my manufacturer’s warranty?
Changing your own oil or using a different brand of oil from your manufacturer’s factory fill will not void the warranty. As long as the motor oil being used meets the manufacturer’s standards required for the vehicle, the warranty cannot be considered void.
Can I use motor oil in a manual transmission?
If a manual transmission application does not call for the use of a motor oil, it is strongly recommended not to use a motor oil. Follow the owner’s manual requirements for the correct fluid to use for your particular application.
Are all brands of motor oil basically the same?
All brands of motor oil are not the same. Base oils, additives, etc., can be different from one brand to the next.
Is switching motor oil brands harmful to my engine?
No. Switching brands is not harmful to your engine since all motor oil manufacturers must meet the same industry standards for performance and compatibility. However, make sure you follow the recommendations provided in your owner’s manual for viscosity and API category.
Which Valvoline oils brands are “energy conserving”?
All brands of Valvoline motor oil with the following viscosity grades are energy conserving: SAE 0w20, 5w20, 5w30 and 10w30.
Is recycled oil better for the environment?
Yes. Recycling motor oil prevents used oil from contaminating the soil and water. Recycled oil also uses 56% fewer resources compared to oil made without recycled content.
Will using recycled motor oil void my manufacturer’s warranty?
No. All major car manufacturers have approved the use of recycled motor oil that is properly certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Valvoline® NextGen™ recycled motor oil carries and exceeds all API certifications.
Is Valvoline NextGen Recycled Oil just dirty oil that has been cleaned?
No. NextGen uses newer refining process just like crude oil refining. A multi-stage refining process removes contaminants and additives to create fresh oil that performs as good as new. Then special additives are blended to create a motor oil with superior performance and protection characteristics compared to specifications. Valvoline has a rigorous quality control process to assure that NextGen is of the highest quality.
How do you dispose of used motor oil?
Visit your local recycling agency for information on how and where to dispose of waste oils.
Can motor oil significantly improve horsepower?
Yes. Friction modifiers and additives help achieve this.
What are “severe” driving conditions?
Severe conditions include stop and go driving, consistent idling, pulling and towing, exposure to temperature extremes, and more.
If I don’t drive in severe conditions can I change my oil less often?
Your owner’s manual should provide different oil change intervals for regular driving and severe driving applications.
Is it a good idea to let your car warm up (idle)?
In cold temperatures, letting your car to idle for 2-3 minutes allows the oil to lubricate the engine parts thoroughly before the RPM’s are increased.
Can I improve the performance of my motor oil by using aftermarket additives?
Certain additives are made for different motor oil applications. Before using any additive, we advise checking with the motor oil manufacturer.
Are all additives the same?
No. Additives contain different formulations that affect certain parts of the engine differently than other additives.
Do I need to change my motor oil every 3,000 miles?
Valvoline recommends changing oil every 3,000 miles. Most consumers (more than 80% of drivers, according to a State of California study) drive under what is considered severe driving conditions (stop and go, short trips, towing, or very hot or very cold temperatures). Auto manufacturers’ oil change interval recommendations are dramatically shorter for severe driving conditions, with the majority recommending 3,750 miles or less and with 3,000 miles being the most common recommendation. Both oil and oil filters have less of a useful life under severe conditions due to increased dirt and other contaminants. So, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure engine health.
Do I have to change my oil filter every time I change the oil?
Yes. Valvoline recommends replacing the filter every time you change the oil following the oil change intervals recommended in your owner’s manual. This eliminates any risk of contaminants trapped by the oil filter (e.g., dirt) from re-entering the oil.
Can I run longer between oil changes if I replace the oil filter?
Valvoline recommends changing the oil filter every 3,000 miles with the oil. Both oil and oil filters have less of a useful life under severe conditions due to increased dirt and other contaminants. So, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure engine health.
I heard that when motor oil becomes dark, that means it’s time to change it. Is this true?
This is not true. You cannot determine the life of motor oil by looking at its appearance since it may change color for several reasons. To insure the best quality product, always follow the owner’s manual guidelines for oil change intervals.
