What oils do?
Lubricating oils are expected to perform an assortment of tasks to keep your equipment running smoothly.
Lubrication is the first and foremost task. To do this, oils form a thin fluid film on moving parts, preventing the metal to metal contact which would cause excessive wear or failure of an engine or transmission.
Cooling is provided by the circulating oil which carries heat away from moving parts to minimize oxidation and deposit formation.
Dispersion of Contaminants is achieved by special additives which surround some contaminants keeping them in solution within the oil. These special additives insure that particles are transported to the filter where they can be removed from the oil. Particle disbursement prevents the formation of deposits on metal surfaces in the engine and also prevents corresponding engine wear.
Oxidation Resistance is important in extending the service life of an oil. Oil reacts with oxygen at high temperatures in engines to form gums and varnish which cause deposits and thickening of the oil. When added to oil, oxidation inhibitors reduce sludge formation and significantly increase the oil's useful life.
Corrosion Protection is necessary to combat chemical attack on engines. Detergents and acid neutralizers are added to oil to clean engines of harmful deposits and to counteract the strong acids which are formed in an engine during combustion.
The way an oil is used has important effects on the type of oil required.
Available Horsepower Used in an engine ranges from 30% in a car or pick-up truck to 60% in an over-the-road truck, and up to 90% in a farm tractor or piece of construction equipment. Oils for your tractor, therefore, need to be formulated differently than oil for your car due to the vastly different severity of service.
