Automotive Lubricants
Automotive lubricants are used in a car's transmission, engine, chassis, gears, and seals to ensure optimal performance of the components. Lubricants like oil and grease reduce friction between different moving parts, easing wear and prolonging the life of the vehicle. Many different choices are available for automotive lubricants. Although synthetic products are usually more expensive than organic ones, they often provide better performance.
Choosing an automotive lubricant requires attention to the viscosity of the particular lubricant. The viscosity of oil varies and is indicated by a number on its container. Thin oil has a low number and flows easily, while thick oil has a high number and is resistant to flow. Multi-viscosity oils have added polymers to prevent the oil from thinning as it warms. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is the organization that classifies oils by viscosity.
Manufacturers often suggest that the oil should be changed in cars every 3,000 miles. Stop and go traffic, short trips, cold weather, and hot or dusty conditions can increase a car's need for an oil change. Numerous oil changing businesses that offer quick service are available. Other lubricants, such as transmission fluid, can also be checked and refilled at such locations.