Engine Oil and Lubricants
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle and equipment. So, why would you use inferior quality oil that puts your important machinery at risk of increased wear and corrosion? You wouldn’t. That would be silly. But, some people do and then they wonder why their engines aren’t performing at their most efficient—or worst, that blockages have formed and seized the engine entirely. Trust us, these are scenarios you want to avoid … with our help! We have a fully stocked warehouse of high-quality Shell and Total lubricants for you and the engines you rely on.
If you’re still skeptical, here are answers to some common questions we have encountered:
How does oil protect my engine?
Shell and Total lubricants are designed to clear away dirt, debris and deposits from engine components. Our line up of engine oil products form a protective film over components with special additives that act as—you guessed it—a lubricant between the moving surfaces to prevent contact. This reduction in friction is crucial to minimizing wear. Less friction means less heat build up, too. The Shell and Total lubricants we provide carries heat away from hot areas, such as piston rings, where the temperature can reach up to 320ºC, and disperses it around the engine. Any dirt and debris accumulated is held within the oil, rendering the nasty effects harmless until it is removed during the next oil change.
How often should I change my oil?
Surprisingly, the answer to this question is due to variables, such as the quality of the oil and the additives in it. However, the answer is best kept simple: You should always follow the oil change intervals as indicated by your vehicle and equipment manufacturer. These intervals are based on either time or distance travelled. Regular oil changes prolong the life of your engine and machinery parts. If you don’t know when to change the oil, contact us right away for guidance.
What do I do with used oil?
Not only is used oil dirty, but it can pollute the environment if improperly disposed of. Always take used oil to an oil-disposal or recycling station. If you’re not sure where your local collection point is, give us a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Seriously, how much of a difference can frequent oil changes make?
A serious amount of difference is the only answer to this question. By not changing your oil on a regular basis (as per your vehicle and equipment manufacturer’s instructions), you are significantly reducing the level of protection needed to prevent wear and tear. Engine oil is designed to soak up all kinds of damaging by-products that form when fuel is burned, including soot, sludge and acidic materials. However, dirty oil reduces the efficacy of the oil the longer it is allowed to stay in your engine. Is making frequent oil changes necessary? Ask yourself this again when you are paying for costly engine repairs.
Why change all the oil when I can just keep it topped off?
While this may sound like a good idea at first, keep in mind: by constantly adding clean oil, you’re only thinning out the dirty oil and not removing it entirely. The dirt remains, which means your engine components never get a chance to experience the benefits of clean oil. Essentially, you’re never running with clean oil this way. Prolonging the life and efficiency of your engine is smart business.
We, at MacDonnell Fuels, know selecting the right engine oil is vital for your cars, recreation vehicles, boats and heavy equipment. So, keep your engines clean and in great working order with products and advice from us. Contact us today at www.macdonnellfuels.com or give us a call at 519-376-1916. Speak to us and you’ll learn what we mean when we say, There’s MORE in the tank at MacDonnell Fuels.
Recent Comments