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All about oil: Your engine's lifeblood

Sympatico -- What you need to know to keep your car running smoothly

While all of your engine’s fluids are important, the vital one is oil. If you run out of gasoline, your car will start again once you’ve refilled the tank, and as drag cars prove, you can run for a short period of time without coolant (although it’s not recommended, of course). But run out of oil, and your engine could turn into a square of scrap in not much longer than it takes you to read this paragraph.

With oil doing such an important job under your hood, it’s important to know a bit more about this essential fluid.

What does it do?
Oil lubricates the moving parts in your car’s engine, some of which are only a few thousands of an inch apart. It also helps to remove heat from the engine’s high-temperature combustion

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Submitted Dec 30, 2012 By: aservant

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,623 Points:1,609,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 12:00:55 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse even more imperative to use good oil and keep oil in the engine when driving a diesel...
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,520 Points:533,985 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 4:47:19 PM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Thanks for posting- very informative even for seasoned veteran like me!
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,820 Points:642,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 3:05:54 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse Small maintenance costs for such an important part of the vehicle.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,963 Points:2,117,390 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 1:18:50 PM Ignore remay Report Abuse Wow, must be a SLOWWWW news day for them to have to write an article that SHOULD be well known and understood. I guessss there are those who pretend to have no clue...
ktyson13 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,541 Points:397,075 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 8:04:48 AM Ignore ktyson13 Report Abuse ok
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:8,217 Points:1,241,520 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 4:06:10 AM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse Duh!
WalkingWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:3,701 Points:779,595 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 2:19:50 AM Ignore WalkingWV Report Abuse I know someone that hasn't changed oil in his primary vehicle for 8 years.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,485 Points:1,557,525 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 1:24:56 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Always change the oil at the recommended interval.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,987 Points:1,113,060 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:25:52 AM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Read the book...
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,468 Points:662,950 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:18:54 AM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Extremely informative and important topic.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,492 Points:1,510,230 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:08:24 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Never heard of "winter" before. So why do they even have "winter" oils in south Texas?
cheaper0ON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:983 Points:398,055 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:04:12 AM Ignore cheaper0ON Report Abuse Change the oil after 4,000 Kms.
bluegrasser1 Champion Author Richmond Posts:15,933 Points:2,615,620 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:03:17 AM Ignore bluegrasser1 Report Abuse ok
jellybelly72 Veteran Author San Bernardino Posts:452 Points:300,925 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:03:08 AM Ignore jellybelly72 Report Abuse Just do it check it!
Doomsday64 All-Star Author Austin Posts:859 Points:336,030 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:52:35 PM Ignore Doomsday64 Report Abuse important fluid
Yonkers111 Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,331 Points:857,085 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:52:01 PM Ignore Yonkers111 Report Abuse 0 W 30
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,066 Points:1,731,235 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:50:51 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse change it oftern
C.Carpets All-Star Author Oakland Posts:543 Points:2,089,985 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:48:54 PM Ignore C.Carpets Report Abuse As I live and learn. It was always called "10 Weight 40" Never knew it was 10 Winter 40. Doesn't even sound right.
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,785 Points:585,065 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:47:22 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse Oil changes are forgotten by so many people.
69Bonne Champion Author Gary Posts:1,150 Points:473,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:43:08 PM Ignore 69Bonne Report Abuse Yes, change oil regularly. An old Chrysler I had with a Mitusbishi engine I did the oil changes on a regular schedule. Except for blowing a head gasket and a faulty oil pump it would still be running. The mechanic had said he never saw an engine of that type so clean. Besides oil changes, it's also best to flush the radiator according to the car's schedule (and possibly avoid a blown head gasket).
FrankTA2 Champion Author New York Posts:4,293 Points:1,095,310 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:42:31 PM Ignore FrankTA2 Report Abuse I change the oil in my car every 3 months.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,421 Points:423,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:41:09 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse It will be needed for the rest of my life.
oilfreak All-Star Author Houston Posts:687 Points:36,885 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:39:56 PM Ignore oilfreak Report Abuse Looks like oil is important for all aspects of life.
libertyut Champion Author Utah Posts:1,350 Points:291,625 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:39:16 PM Ignore libertyut Report Abuse change your oil often.
GenChick Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:199 Points:504,440 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:38:52 PM Ignore GenChick Report Abuse People, how often do you change synthetic oil? I am planning to change it after 18,000 km… Your opinion on this?
jodybull All-Star Author El Paso Posts:767 Points:140,880 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:38:21 PM Ignore jodybull Report Abuse Keep your oil changed regularly.
VikingWoman Champion Author Washington Posts:1,265 Points:251,665 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:37:10 PM Ignore VikingWoman Report Abuse Every 3,000 miles or 3 months and mine gets changed. A good article about the importance of changing the power steering, transmission and flushing the radiator would be good for those who are not in the know. I had a good laugh though when my ex's new wife had her brake fluid changed out during the annual service on her Jetta. My ex didn't think it was very funny at all.
Bildawg Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,066 Points:481,720 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:27:34 PM Ignore Bildawg Report Abuse Good article
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,042 Points:1,513,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:25:09 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse I agree Lairre.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,859 Points:1,356,750 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:24:18 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse The federal reserve is nothing but an advanced ponzi scheme. They all should be jailed as was Madoff.
SandeeC Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,988 Points:460,480 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:23:09 PM Ignore SandeeC Report Abuse Yeah, SparkieMi, I do the same thing.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,859 Points:1,356,750 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:21:58 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse I need to pay more attention to this!
BREW9 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:881 Points:2,911,980 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:21:05 PM Ignore BREW9 Report Abuse 3000 change
Dragnet Champion Author Arizona Posts:15,406 Points:2,908,760 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:18:27 PM Ignore Dragnet Report Abuse 280,000 on my Toyota and still going strong
tdioiler All-Star Author Detroit Posts:892 Points:419,940 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:18:06 PM Ignore tdioiler Report Abuse Did you know some vehicles can't be checked for oil level by the owners? Who was the idiot engineering manager who thought that is a bright idea figures check the light bulb is burnt out by putting their thumb into the socket to make sure there is power. Duh!!
chillyman3 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,355 Points:423,640 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:14:15 PM Ignore chillyman3 Report Abuse 272000. I change my oil 4 times per year no matter how many miles I but on.
Lairre Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,010 Points:188,135 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:13:01 PM Ignore Lairre Report Abuse Oil and filter changes are cheap insurance for an engine.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,258 Points:588,325 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:07:38 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Check oil level every time you fill up with gas... Change oil as recommended in owners manual!!!!
dasimon All-Star Author Florida Posts:556 Points:573,050 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:05:45 PM Ignore dasimon Report Abuse Oil good
onegiraffeAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,015 Points:429,175 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:04:35 PM Ignore onegiraffeAL Report Abuse 396,000 miles on original engine, changing oil every 3,000 miles.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,800 Points:818,335 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 11:03:50 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,962 Points:1,275,475 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:59:29 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Oil changes have been one the cheapest form of maintenance.
BMWer Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,076 Points:1,665,570 Joined:Dec 2003	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:59:02 PM Ignore BMWer Report Abuse Check your oil!
pinofl Veteran Author Miami Posts:364 Points:70,120 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:58:44 PM Ignore pinofl Report Abuse important fluid
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,005 Points:661,865 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:53:18 PM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse There is much truth in this article .
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,569 Points:1,771,920 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:50:28 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Decent article. Important fluid.
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,955 Points:832,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:46:41 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Interesting.
preacherjohn Champion Author Modesto Posts:3,990 Points:1,919,760 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:44:51 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse Does the engine run on water--no?
homespesial All-Star Author Seattle Posts:710 Points:155,495 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:42:41 PM Ignore homespesial Report Abuse interesting
Soglaos Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,771 Points:740,405 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 10:33:28 PM Ignore Soglaos Report Abuse interesting