Lubricants improve performance of your vehicle, extend its lifespan, and reduce costly repairs. Some of the lubricants essential to car performance are engine oils, coolants, brake fluids, transmission fluids, power steering fluids, and windshield washer fluids. To learn more about the technology, applications, and benefits of your vehicle’s essential fluids, read this guide.
Motor oil is the most essential fluid in your vehicle. It lubricates engine parts, minimizes friction, and reduces wear and tear. It also has advanced cooling and detergent properties. That is why choosing a quality lubricant for your engine is essential. There are many factors you should consider when choosing engine oil for your vehicle. Not sure where to start? We have compiled a brief list of factors you should consider when selecting engine oil.
Each engine is created differently and requires the right oil formula to operate as expected. That includes a specific oil viscosity, temperature stability, and compatibility with its sealing materials. One of the major factors you should consider when choosing the right lubricant for your engine is OEM specifications and approvals. What does that mean? Let’s find out!
As each engine oil type has its own set of properties, it is important to select the one that fits your vehicle’s unique needs. However, what if you make a mistake and pour the wrong type of oil into the engine? Let’s take a look at factors to consider when selecting the right lubricant, the consequences of using the inappropriate one, as well as the steps you should take to fix the problem.
By measuring oil consumption, you can tell the engine's health. Excessive oil burning is often the consequence of severe engine performance issues. We cannot easily specify the point at which motor oil consumption becomes excessive. That depends on numerous factors, including the engine manufacturer. Let's find out more about the causes and symptoms of excessive oil consumption in this article.
Starting to use high-mileage oil for your high-mileage vehicle is among the critical aspects to keep your car’s engine healthy for longer periods of time. These oils are different than regular oils as they contain seal enhancers and special additives capable of minimizing internal and external engine oil leaks. Many experts recommend using high-mileage oils after 75,000+ miles, but there are also other factors to consider.
Many car owners decide to idle their vehicles for some time for multiple reasons. However, when your car is parked for months, it may experience a multitude of safety and performance problems. In this article, we cover the most common issues that may happen to your car when you do not drive it regularly and provide tips on how to restart it successfully.
Every driver wants their vehicle to last as long as possible. However, they are often not sure where to start. Keeping the car on the road longer is all about taking good care of it. Only that way can you increase its performance, reliability, and efficiency. To help you, we made a brief list of easy steps you should take to extend the lifespan of your car, maintain its performance, and keep it safe as the kilometers keep adding up.
Engine flush keeps the engine running smoothly by eliminating harmful deposits from it. This prolongs the life of the engine and minimizes the risk of expensive repairs down the road. Additionally, a clean engine runs more efficiently, which leads to better fuel economy and a notable reduction in emissions. So, what is engine flush? What are its benefits? How is it performed? This brief guide answers these questions for you.
Engine rust is often hard to detect and takes time to develop. Corrosion degrades the useful properties of materials, harming the overall engine performance. Fortunately, with the right car maintenance tactics and products, you can battle corrosion. To help you, we put together this brief guide to rust prevention. Let's deep dive into the topic!
Engine oil leaks are one of the most common causes of engine damage. They cause rapid deterioration of the engine and result in expensive repairs. Worse yet, engine oil leaks pose a safety threat. They may lead to the loss of control of the vehicle while driving. Precisely because of that, it is essential to determine the main engine oil leak causes and take action to fix them. Let’s get started.
Poor lubricant selection leads to a wide range of engine performance issues. One of them is low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI). LSPI occurs in modern turbocharged gasoline direct injection technology. This phenomenon may result in fatal engine damage when you least expect it. What is low-speed pre-ignition? What are its causes? How can you prevent it? Here is everything you should know!
Engine manufacturers are striving to reduce their environmental impact by innovating fuel formulas and improving after-treatment technology. That is exactly where a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) enters the scene, as one of the most critical after-treatment devices in your vehicle. What is DPF and why is it that important? Let’s find out!
The air-fuel ratio needs to be optimal to ensure uninterrupted combustion and enhanced engine performance. In the past, a carburetor was the only device that controlled the combination of air and fuel, but the invention of Engine Control Units (ECUs), significantly changed the game. ECUs use Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensors to measure airflow. Let’s find out more about MAF sensors and their importance!
There are two types of small engines – 2-stroke and 4-stroke. While containing similar components, these engines go through different processes and have contrasting uses. Understanding how they work is essential to choosing the right engine oil, as both have certain advantages and disadvantages. What are 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines? What is the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine oil? Let’s find out!
Vehicles speak their own language. They use sounds like squeaking, screeching, roaring, knocking, and squealing to warn us there is something wrong with them. Detecting and diagnosing the background noise your car is making is crucial. Not sure how to comprehend your vehicle’s language? This is the reason we compiled a brief guide to car noises and what they mean.
The engine coolant, in some geolocations better known as antifreeze, protects engines from overheating. In this article, we address the purpose and benefits of using engine coolant, and answer some of the most common questions, including: What does engine coolant do? How long can you run an engine without coolant? How does the cooling work? Let’s begin!
Here at Valvoline, we have already discussed engine coolants in depth. We wrote about the importance and application of these specialty fluids. If you are still not sure which types of coolants there are and how to pick the right one, do not fret. Valvoline has got your back. We compiled the ultimate guide to choosing the right coolant for your car.
Brakes are a car part that controls your car’s ability to slow down and stop. As such, they are essential for your own safety and the safety of every other traffic participant. Although the majority of traffic accidents happen due to human error, there are some that will occur due to a malfunction within the vehicle itself. Brake issues are at the very top of the list. Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the road.
Brake fluid selection is a particularly important task of vehicle maintenance. Different types of brake fluids match the requirements of specific braking systems. The most common ones used today are DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1 brake fluids. Are all brake fluids the same? If not, what is the difference between these specialty fluids? Here’s what you need to know.
Transmission, either manual or automatic, is susceptible to wear and tear. Since transmission repairs and replacements can be complex and expensive, it is vital to detect any unusual activities or performance issues early. What are the most common causes of transmission damage, and how to recognize them? Can you prevent transmission breakdown? Find the answers to these questions in our brief guide!
The level of the car transmission fluid needs to be inspected regularly. Depending on the model you own, automatic transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, but there are cases when this needs to be done more often. If you’re willing to learn to do it and save some money along the way, here is how you can check and replace transmission fluid, in case you are sure you can do it safely.
The power transmission process requires continuous friction between the moving metal parts of the transmission system. That causes the deterioration of its components and results in expensive repairs. That is why using transmission oil is crucial. Choosing the transmission fluid depends on various factors, including the car manufacturer and the transmission type. Here is what you need to know about it.
The public is getting increasingly familiar with the concept of electric and hybrid vehicles. The average consumer of today doesn’t perhaps know exactly how the hybrid engine works (explained in this article), but they are surely aware that it is much better for the environment than legacy vehicles that use internal combustion engines only. Let's discover why!
Cold winter days put stress on passenger cars. That is why you should not neglect the importance of winter car maintenance. Only by having your car thoroughly serviced and prepared for winter driving conditions can you ensure it is up for the challenge. Regular car maintenance in the winter increases driving safety and extends the life of your vehicle. Read on to learn how to prepare your car for tricky winter rides.
Cold weather can have a detrimental effect on your vehicle. It causes a myriad of engine issues and battery problems, and negatively impacts the overall vehicle reliability. However, there’s no reason you should dread winter once your car is fully prepared to combat low temperatures. We created a list of essential automotive fluids you should use during the winter months to ensure that your car is winter-ready and in top-notch operating condition.
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