Does engine oil get thicker or thinner with age?

As the oil oxidises, there are two parallel problems arising. Firstly, as a result of the oil molecules reacting and joining together, the oil becomes thicker and darker. The heavier the molecules become, the heavier, or thicker, the oil gets to be.

Does engine oil get thinner over time?

Nope – other way around! Motor oil gets thinner as it's heated, but to prevent it from getting too thin at higher temperatures, additives (viscosity modifiers) are used so that it behaves like a thicker grade oil at higher temps.

What happens to engine oil as it gets older?

You may also see a decrease in fuel economy as your old oil thickens, losing viscosity and some of its ability to lubricate. As the efficiency of your oil fades the engine can generate more heat, so it runs a bit hotter with the potential to overheat.

Does oil viscosity increase with age?

The ageing of engine oil causes the change of its dynamic viscosity value. That change has effect on the process of lubrication and the wearing of slide journal bearings.

Does oil get thinner?

If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating. Your engine needs oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils.

Thin or Thick engine oil isn't safe!?

Is Thicker oil better for older engines?

A: Yes. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil - 10W - can help protect worn engine bearings as well.

Is 5W30 better for older cars?

5W-20 and 5W30 motor oil are winter viscosity grade oils primarily recommended for older engines and light-duty use. These oils are best utilized in colder temperatures.

How quickly does engine oil degrade?

Simply put, the shelf life of conventional motor or "lube" oil is up to five years. It's not something that goes bad in a couple of months. It's impossible to predict exactly how long motor oil shelf life is because petroleum stability (how well it resists change in its properties) is situation-dependent.

Does engine oil lose viscosity?

Over time, your oil can also lose viscosity.

Can engine oil thicken?

Because oil gets thinner as it heats up. Or you could say it gets thicker when it cools down. Say your engine needs 30-weight oil when it is running at operating temperature.

Do older engines need more frequent oil changes?

Older engines and engines with high mileage have lower tolerances, making more frequent oil changes necessary.

How often should you change your oil in older cars?

Some swear by the “every 3,000 miles or every 3 months” rule, but advances in engines and oil have made that guidance obsolete. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and 6 or 12 months for time.

Will synthetic oil last 2 years?

On average, synthetic oil lasts about 6 months to 1 year or 7,500-10,000 miles before needing replacement.

Does motor oil degrade if not used?

Generally, unopened motor oil (both conventional and synthetic blend) will last for an extended time as it is in a sealed container. Motor oil stays good in the oil bottle until its expiry date when unopened. This will give you about 2-5 years before unused oil becomes unfit for consumption.

What happens if you put 10w40 instead of 5w30?

Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.

Why does my oil look thin?

This could be due to condensed water (from combustion), condensed fuel or a coolant leak - all are causes for concern. Fuel-diluted motor oil (from blow-by or leakage) can substantially reduce oil viscosity and thin additive concentration.

Does synthetic oil degrade over time?

Unlike synthetic blends or conventional oils, fully synthetic oils won't break down and will protect your engine for longer—sometimes as much as 250,000 miles.

Should engine oil be changed every year?

Yes, most definitely. Your engine oil should be changed approximately every 5 to 6k miles or annually, whichever comes first. Even if you drive less than 5k miles a year it still should be changed annually due to the fact your engine can collect moisture which can be quite damaging to engine components.

Should you change oil if car has been sitting?

Vehicles that sit unused for long periods are especially vulnerable to engine moisture, because they aren't producing the heat from normal operation responsible for evaporating moisture and condensation. That's why you should drive your car for 20 to 30 minutes once a week, in addition to regularly changing your oil.

How do you know if your engine oil is bad?

What happens to oil after a year?

A modern car rated for 7500 miles per oil change or 1 year should be perfectly fine for 4000 miles or two years... this is exponential decay in action. The point at which the fluid becomes practically worthless should be LONGER than its shelf-life, and that number is needed to estimate the decay rate.

Which oil is best for old engines?

What type oil is best for old cars?

Using traditional mineral oil and a low detergent formulation, Castrol Classic Oils are the right choice for your cherished classic or vintage vehicle. Older engines have very different requirements to modern engines.

What is best oil for high mileage cars?

Why do older engines use thicker oil?

Engines are Built to Use a Certain Viscosity of Motor Oil

This is purposely done to allow modern engines to use lower-viscosity motor oil, like 0W-20 and even 0W-16. Lower-viscosity oils reduce internal friction since they flow more easily than higher-viscosity oils, improving fuel economy.