Did You Put The Wrong Type of Oil in Your Vehicle?

Ever put the wrong type of oil in your vehicle? Learn about the difference between types of oil and how the wrong kind can damage your car.

Transcript:

Oh, no. Did you accidentally put the wrong type of oil in your vehicle?

Are you thinking you did irreparable damage to your vehicle?

Before adding oil to your vehicle, always check the owner’s manual or the oil cap to know which weight oil to use.

Hi, I’m Nancy at Kneble’s Auto Service Center. That’s understandable to hear that you mixed up the bottles. We get it. There are all different types, which is why you should check out my many different videos, such as The Purpose of An Oil Change and The Frequency of Oil Changes, just to name a few.

To view all our other videos, subscribe, like, and follow us on our newsletter,  Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Choose your preference of choice for viewing.

Since oil is identified by viscosity, what type your vehicle takes, such as 0W-40 or 520?

The number zero before the W determines how thin it is in the winter temperature. The lower the number, the better performs in the colder temperatures.

The number 40 after the W determines the oil performance at higher temperatures. The lower that number is, the thinner the oil. Manufacturers design the engine for a certain viscosity oil to get the best performance.

We recommend always put the type of oil recommended by the manufacturer. Being oil is the lifeline of your engine like blood is to us, don’t fail your vehicle by not giving it an oil change.

Oil has many functions such as keeping the engine lubricated to prevent friction. It helps keep heat away from the engine. It also keeps the dirt and debris from building up in the engine.

As your vehicle ages, it’s not uncommon for your engine to burn oil. So, it’s important to make sure your oil is always at the correct level. This may mean you have to add oil.

You can always stop here at Kneble’s Auto Service Center, located at 5473 Somers Point Road in Mays Landing, NJ, for us to check your oil level and add it if needed.

If you’re doing it yourself, make sure you’re adding the proper oil and the correct amount. You don’t want to overfill your oil and you don’t want to add the wrong weight oil. For me, I’d rather have the experts do it.

Overfilling the oil can cause damage to the engine. The extra oil, well, that can put pressure in the engine, causing possible leaks through seals and gaskets, as it’s looking for a way to escape. Also, too much oil can become a different viscosity and not lubricate the engine properly.

By putting in the wrong weight oil, several problems may occur. Quite possibly, you can develop oil leaks. Your mileage may decrease, because the engine may not move it as easily as it’s designed, causing it to work harder. And the engine may become noisier. In extreme temperatures, your vehicle may not even start. Too complicated for me. I will let the professionals check my oil and provide an oil change.

We are here for all your car care needs. Come see us and make an appointment online, if you like, or call us at 609-625-3286. And remember to check out our weekly videos every Wednesday at 12:30. Thank you.