Published Date - 9th Jan 2020

For a healthier and longer engine life, you need to fuel it with the right engine oil. Engine oils are crucial in the smooth running of engines, reducing fuel emissions and improving engine’s performance. 

What is an engine oil used for?

There are innumerable roles engine oils play to ensure your engine performs well. Here are few of the major ones:

1) Better Lubrication
Engines are exposed to different temperatures that result in gradual wear and tear. The primary role of engine oils is to ensure engines are lubricated properly, so that they run smoothly, and have a longer lifespan.
 
2) Cleaner Engine
Cleaning is an important role that an engine oil plays for your engine. It clears the accumulated deposits, sludge and microscopic debris from the engine and in turn unclogs it, so that the engine oil can flow well.

3) Effective Cooling
With regular use of your vehicle, exposure to high temperatures and the friction of the mechanical parts, your engine tends to heat up. The lubrication provided by engine oils helps to cool your engine circuit.

4) Protects it from Corrosion
Fuel combustion causes metal parts to oxidise and rust with time. The additives in engine oils help to slow down the process of corrosion, thereby giving your engine a longer lifespan.

5) Act as a Seal 
Engine oils provide space between the piston and cylinder. These gaps are filled by the engine oils to optimise engine performance and efficiency.

What are the benefits of an engine oil?

For vehicle owners, engine oils help reduce costly repairs. Without an engine oil, the engine will quickly be damaged. 

    1) Longer Engine Lifespan
Since, engine oils clean, cool and prevent the engine from corrosion, they save it from being clogged and damaged. Mechanical parts last longer and corrode less due to that and in turn engines have a longer and healthier lifespan.
 
    2) Smooth Running of Engine
When engines are oiled well, they perform better. Hence, regular oil changes are advised to enjoy the best of your engine.  

    3) Decreases Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions
If an engine is overused or its level is too low, the friction caused between metal parts affects the engine’s efficiency and increases the fuel consumption. When you use a good engine oil, reduction of pollution and fuel consumption is achieved.

Finding the right engine oil for a vehicle is a vital step to get the benefits of an engine oil. Go through your owner’s manual, take advice from a professional or the automotive manufacturer to be informed about the same.

For an engine oil to truly serve all its purposes, the level must be checked regularly in order to change the oil at the right time. Overused oil doesn’t play its role effectively, which is harmful for the general condition of the engine and its parts.

Published Date - 9th Jan 2020

To make sure your engine runs smoothly, it is essential to ensure that your engine oil is checked and changed regularly. We’ve listed down the steps required, to help you check and change your engine oil:

How to check your engine oil?

Engine oils clean, cool and protects your engine. They ensure that your engine is properly lubricated and allow the pistons to slide smoothly in the engine cylinders hundreds of times per second. Engine oils also continuously releases impurities contained in the engine circuit. However, it is extremely important to check your engine oil levels regularly, so that you can top it up whenever needed. 

Before checking the oil level, make sure you are at a distance from the engine, it is not too hot and is off, so that you don’t burn yourself. Also, keep a check that your car is on level ground, in order to see the exact amount of oil remaining. 

Step 1: Pull out the dipstick ring until it is fully removed. Post that, make sure you wipe it with a dry, clean cloth. The location of your dipstick mainly depends on whether you have a vehicle with an in-line engine or a transverse one. 

Step 2: Insert the dipstick in the pipe once again. In case, the dipstick tends to get stuck, remove it, wipe it and re-insert it carefully. 

Step 3: Pull out the dipstick once again and check the oil level. To do so, you need to look at the “Min(imum)” and “Max(imum)” marks on the dipstick. If the level is below the “Min” mark, you need to refill the oil and vice versa.

Step 4: Open the oil tank cap and keep having a check on the oil levels, as you top it up with the engine oil. Do not go higher than the “Max(imum)" mark.

Step 5: Once you are done, screw the cap on the oil tank and put the dipstick back into the pipe. 

It is suggested to check your oil level every 2,000 km, and before taking a long trip to be on a safer side. If the oil level warning light on your dashboard continues to remain ON even after topping up, contact a professional.

How to change your engine oil?

The frequency for changing your engine oil depends on the car’s year of manufacture, its mileage, and what engine type (petrol, direct or indirect injection diesel, diesel particulate filter) it is. Read your vehicle owner’s handbook to know when to change the oil.

It is essential to change the engine oil according to the dates or mileage indicated by the automotive manufacturer or your mechanic. Otherwise, the engine may clog or get damaged sooner, its performance will no longer be optimum, and the vehicle will waste fuel. 

To change your motor oil:

• While checking the oil level, make sure that your vehicle is cold and on level ground.
• Open the bonnet and remove the dipstick and the oil filler cap.
• Position your drain pan beneath the oil drain plug located on the engine block.
• Unscrew the oil drain plug and let the oil drain.
• When all the oil has drained, clean the oil drain plug, replace the gasket and screw the plug back on.

This operation is generally messy, so we recommend having rags by your side and wearing old clothing.

Before refilling the oil tank, you must also replace the oil filter. In order to do this:

• Unscrew the old filter and install the new one.
• Remove the pan beneath your vehicle and pour the used oil in a sealed container in order to place it in an oil recovery container at a recycling facility. Do not ever try to pour used engine oil into the sewer system.
• Make sure that the oil drain plug is put on properly, and pour the new oil into the oil tank, using a funnel to avoid spills.
• Be patient for a few minutes to allow the oil to circulate through the engine.
• Check the oil level, and refill if required.
• Screw the oil filler cap back on, start the engine, and let it run for about two minutes, to give the oil time to flow uniformly throughout the engine.
• Let the engine cool, and check that the oil level is good.

If you are finding it tough to change your engine oil by yourself, don’t hesitate to call on a professional to service your vehicle. Most garages provide oil changes!

Published Date - 9th Jan 2020

Engine oils cool, clean and protect your engine. For engines to perform to their best, selecting the right engine oil is crucial. 

Inevitably, we all want our car engines to run smoothly. However, not many understand that for an engine to run well, choosing the best engine oil for it is quintessential. If a wrong engine oil is fed to your engine, it will burn more fuel, increase emissions and interfere with your car’s warranty. 
  
Engine oils are like the blood for your engine, they circulate throughout the engine, allowing the pistons to slide smoothly in the engine cylinders hundreds of times per second. The engine oil also releases impurities contained in the engine circuit, reduces the friction between the metal parts and ensures your engine is properly lubricated. 

What you need to know while choosing an engine oil:

When you are looking out for an engine oil, be aware about which type of oil you need. There are two broad categories of engine oils, namely- synthetic or mineral oils. Mineral oils are the ones that come from petroleum products, synthetic oils are created with synthetic components, whereas semi-synthetic oils are a blend of mineral and synthetic oils. 

Mineral oils

Mineral oils are made of refined petroleum products. They are thicker in nature as compared to synthetic oils and semi-synthetic oils, making it best-suited for older vehicle models or engines without turbochargers. Their oxidation stability is low as compared to other engine oils, due to which frequent changes are required. Mineral oils are recommended for driving in temperate climates (that aren’t too extreme) and are more economical when you compare engine oil prices. 

Synthetic oils

Synthetic oils are obtained by mixing several synthetic components. They are designed for high-performance engines, making them a suitable option for auto racing. Better in quality, synthetic oils contain fewer impurities and can withstand high temperatures. There is more wait time between oil changes with synthetic oils, for both diesel and petrol engines. 

Semi- synthetic oils

Semi-synthetic oils are made of mineral and synthetic oils, offering the best of both worlds without incorporating their drawbacks. With a good price/quality ratio, the blend of mineral and synthetic oil gives it better protection and performance. The usage of semi-synthetic oils does not modify the frequency of oil changes.

Standards to keep in mind while choosing an engine oil:

When you are choosing an engine oil, keep a check on the standards of the product. Things to keep in mind about the standards are:

• the type of engine the engine oil is designed for (diesel or petrol)
• the performance levels
• how well the oil meets the recommendations on the owner’s manual

There are three standards that are used to characterize engine oils:

The API standard

Established by the American Petroleum Institute, it classifies the product according to the dispersive power, protection against wear, oxidation, corrosion and detergents. There are two letters to determine the standard: 

S for Service (petrol engines)
C for Commercial (diesel engines)

The letter that follows the above letter indicates the engine oil’s performance. The “further” the letter is in the alphabet, the higher is the quality of the oil. So, a SF oil has lower performance as compared to a SR oil.
To know the standard required for your vehicle, see your vehicle owner’s manual or get advice from a professional.

The ACEA standard

This is the standard of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. It is a quality indicator that is determined by a letter and a number (For Eg: A1). The letter indicates the type of engine: 
A = Petrol engines
B = Diesel engines
C = Light engines compatible with catalysts
E = Heavy duty diesel engines

The number indicates the specific performances the oil must provide. 
ACEA 2016 defines 

• 3 category combinations for petrol and diesel engines: A3/B3, A3/B4, A5/B5
• 5 categories for vehicles with a pollution control device: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5
• 4 categories for commercial vehicles and trucks E4, E6, E7, E9, of which two are for vehicles with a pollution control device: E6 and E9.

The SAE standard

Determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, this standard describes the degree of engine oil viscosity. It is indicated on the front of the container: the 00w00 index.

Published Date - 8th Jan 2020

Mineral, synthetic, or semi-synthetic, what are engine oils composed of? Let’s take a closer look at what goes into this essential lubricant, and what role do the additives perform.

Composition of mineral, synthetic, and semi-synthetic oil: When we discuss the composition of engine oils, we need to know that every engine oil is made of base oil and additives. Since, mineral, synthetic, and semi-synthetic oils have different viscosities, roles, and uses, their compositions are different from each other. The base oil is generally either refined crude petroleum or polymers synthesized in
the laboratory.

Mineral engine oils: Mineral engine oils are natural oils derived from crude petroleum. After being extracted and conveyed to a refinery, these oils undergo several refining processes to remove impurities. Mineral oils mainly consist of hydrocarbons (oxygenated or non-oxygenated), but they may also contain traces of compounds such as sulfur or nitrogen. After mineral oils are processed, additives are added to them to improve performance.

Synthetic Engine: Synthetic engine oils can be created chemically in the laboratory, but they can also come from refined petroleum. Refining synthetic oil is a more complex process than for mineral oil, as it involves modifying the structure of the hydrocarbon molecules. The processes for obtaining the oil ensure that only the best molecules are retained. Many additives are also added in the process. Synthetic oils are considered high-end oils that deliver higher performance.

Role of Additives in Engine Oil

Additives ensure the quality, performance, and lifespan of engine oils are in place. Both mineral oils and synthetic oils have additives added to them.

Your engine oil is generally composed of 70% base oil and 30% additives. Additionally, different forms of additives play the following role that is vital for the longevity of an engine. The antioxidant additives increase the oil's ability to resist high temperatures, which results in less frequent oil changes. The remaining additives maintain the lubricity of the oil. The detergent additives prevent the formation of deposits, which keeps the engine clean and maintains its performance level throughout its lifetime.

The anti-foaming additives prevent the oil from frothing and stop the oil pump from running dry. The cold temperature additives help the engine oil to remain fluid at low temperatures, allowing the engine to start more rapidly. The anti-wear additives increase the longevity of your engine by creating a protective barrier on the surface of the parts. The extreme-pressure additives increase resistance to wear and reduce friction.

Finally, the anti-corrosion additives prevent acid, water, and air from attacking the different metal parts. This means that your engine remains younger for longer.

So, whether you drive cars, vans, trucks or bikes, utilizing the right engine oil makes all the difference in the vehicle delivering optimal performance while protecting the engine from wear and tear resulting in the prolonged life of the vehicle.

Published Date - 8th Jan 2020

It is a known fact that engine oils play a vital role to make engines perform to their best. Let’s explore the two main categories of engine oils: mineral oils and synthetic oils.

What is a mineral oil?
Mineral oils are directly derived from refined crude petroleum oil. During the process, natural contaminants and unwanted hydrocarbons are removed. However, mineral oils are thicker and flow through the engine circuit slowly, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
 
Features of mineral oils:

• Mineral oils are ideal for older vehicle models
• Mineral oils are much lower in cost
• Mineral oils require frequent oil changes

If your automotive manufacturer recommends a mineral oil, go ahead and use one for your vehicle’s engine without thinking twice.

What is a synthetic oil?
Synthetic oils are products derived by mixing many synthetic components. They are refined, distilled and broken down to their basic molecules. The difference with mineral oils resides in the transformation process: synthetic oil undergoes more sophisticated modifications.  

Features of synthetic oils: 

• Synthetic oils contain fewer impurities than mineral oils
• Synthetic oils are chemically modified
• Synthetic oils are mainly designed for high-performance engines

What are the advantages of synthetic oils?

• No frequent need for oil changes
• High-performance engine oils
• Excellent flow at low temperatures
• Stable viscosity, even at high temperatures 
• Less formation of deposits
• Less wear on parts
• Optimised fuel consumption

The main drawback of synthetic oils is that they are slightly more expensive. 

All oil types are not suited to all engine types. Before choosing between a mineral oil or a synthetic oil, it is important to read your automotive manufacturer’s recommendations or check your owner’s manual.

Published Date - 8th Jan 2020

When purchasing an engine oil can, you may have come across values such as 10W30, 5W40, and 0W20 on the can. What are these values? These values determine the levels of viscosity of the oil. The viscosity grades are determined as per the oil performance in low and high temperatures. The question arises, how do we know which viscosity grade of an engine oil fits our vehicle? Read further to get better clarity.

Viscosity is determined by the fluid’s resistance to flow. The viscosity grade of an engine oil provides information on the oil’s resistance to flow in your vehicle’s engine. An engine oil with a low viscosity grade will be more fluid and will flow easily. On the other hand, the engine oil with a higher grade is thicker and makes the flow slower which allows the formation of a protective layer on engine parts.

Engine oils are affected by the temperature, a grade gives information on the use and flow of the fluid when hot and cold temperatures exist. At low temperatures, an engine oil with a low viscosity grade is advised as it facilitates circulation of the lubricant in your vehicle during a cold engine start. At high temperatures, engine oil with a high viscosity grade is preferred as it will be more resistant in the crucial areas of the engine (hot areas). As it is thicker, it reduces wear and breakage and prevents friction between parts.

Picking the right engine oil for your vehicle’s engine to run smoothly. Engine oil reduces friction between parts, cools your engine, releases impurities, and inhibits the formation of corrosion in the engine circuit.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a system for classifying oils according to their viscosity grade at low and high temperatures. Here are the different engine oil grades per viscosity:

Monograde Oils:

Monograde oils are used over a relatively small temperature range. They are generally designed for older vehicle types. This type of oil breaks down into two categories that depend on the season when you will be using your vehicle. 

Monograde oils fall into two categories:

The low engine oil viscosity grades end with a “W” and are usually suited for winter use. For Eg: SAE 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W and 25W engine oils. The high engine oil viscosity grades are not marked “W” and are suited for summer use. For Eg: SAE 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 engine oils.

Multigrade oils

Multigrade oils have gained popularity because they suit current vehicle models well. They also have the advantage of being usable in all seasons.

Multigrade oils must fulfill two viscosity specifications, their viscosity grades consist of two numbers. For Eg: 10W30. 10W is the low-temperature viscosity (winter) whereas 30 is the high-temperature viscosity oil (summer). Multigrade oils are less affected by temperature variations than monograde oils. It is due to this that multigrade oil containers have a number on either side of the “W”. On the most frequently purchased engine oils, you will see values such as 5W40, 20W40, or 10W30.

When in doubt choosing the viscosity grade of your engine oil, check the owner’s manual, and engine oil specifications by the vehicle’s manufacturer or seek professional advice.

Published Date - 8th Jan 2020

Mechanics are a crucial part of our society. They keep our favourite machine running smoothly by maintaining the car and constantly giving us sound advice. Quartz Car Engine Oil appreciates and salutes these hardworking mechanics who strive day and night to keep your engine younger for longer.

Mechanics are the doctors for your car. Uncover how Quartz, with Age Resistance Technology, keeps the engine protected, thus reducing your trips to the mechanics, and keeping your Engine Younger for Longer.

Quartz Car Engine Oil, with Age Resistance Technology, protects the car engine from the mechanical wear by 64% and keeps the car engine younger for longer.

Quartz Car Engine Oil, with Age Resistance Technology, allows the car engine to perform in extreme hot temperatures and keep your car engine younger for longer.