A lot of winter travel can mean added wear and tear on your vehicle's engine. These added miles can cause an abundance of dirt, sludge, dust, rust and other particles to collect in your engine's motor oil, which increases the risk of the engine overheating or locking up. To make sure your car, SUV, minivan or truck carries your family safely to wherever you are going, it's essential to have the right amount and the right type of motor oil for your vehicle. As a general rule of thumb, you should change your motor oil as well as the oil filter every 3,000 miles or every three months, whichever comes first. But in colder climates during the winter, increased condensation can cause engines to burn oil at a faster rate. Consistently changing your oil will contribute to safer driving, longer vehicle life and better overall engine performance.
Using the right grade of motor oil is as important as changing it consistently. How do you know what grade of oil is right for your vehicle? First, consult your vehicle's manual for the manufacturer's recommended grade. If you've lost or misplaced the manual, many vehicle manufacturers, including Ford, GM and Chrysler, list easy-to-use owner's manuals on their Web sites for quick customer reference.
Next, consider how you drive your vehicle and in what conditions. If you drive in extremely hot or cold temperatures, make frequent short trips, spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic, or use your vehicle to tow or haul loads, your engine may need an oil that offers extra protection.
For example, if you drive a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier the manufacturer will recommend a grade such as Castrol GTX SAE 10W-30. However, if you live in a warm climate such as Phoenix, Ariz., you might want to consider using heavier-weighted oil, such as a Castrol GTX SAE 20W-50 to increase your vehicle's oil flow during ignition.
You should also consider the age of your vehicle and the number of miles it's traveled when selecting the oil type and grade. As a vehicle's engine ages, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases. Special motor oil formulations, such Castrol GTX High Mileage, have been introduced to defend against engine wear and harmful deposits in vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.
By choosing the right motor oil and changing it consistently, your engine's hard-working parts will slide smoothly even during high-mileage holiday trips, or when the weather outside is frightful.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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