What Happens If You Use the Wrong Engine Oil?

Except you’re driving an electric car, you must always pay attention to your car’s engine oil. The engine oil ensures the motor runs smoothly. It also lubricates moving parts, cools components, and helps keep the engine clean.

You can choose to change your engine oil yourself or pay a visit to a nearby garage in the UAE to have a mechanic do it for you professionally. Whatever the case, one thing you must never do is to use the wrong engine oil, and here’s why.

Why Choosing the Right Oil Grade Matters?

Your mechanic might have warned you of the consequence of using the wrong engine oil. Some experts may even recommend that you stick to a particular brand of oil whenever you’re doing an engine oil change. Well, this is simply because of something referred to as the oil grade.

Oil grade matters so much because it gives you an idea of how thick or thin it might be. Note that whether it is thick or thin, there is no good or bad oil; all that matters is what is right for your vehicle. Some manufacturers designed their cars to work with thick oil grade, while others designed theirs to work with thin oil. Using thin oil grade for a vehicle that requires thick or vice versa will lead to complications.

You might be wondering why manufacturers have to design vehicles to use thin or thick oil. Why wasn’t there a universally accepted grade for all vehicles? Well, the short answer is that manufacturers design their vehicles for different regions, and to achieve different performance outputs. For instance, thick oil is more suitable to use in regions with high temperatures, whereas regions with colder climates use thin oil.

Understanding Oil Grades & Viscosity

The concept of oil labeling is something you need to familiarize yourself with to choose the right engine oil for your car. The 3 key things you must understand are the dynamic and kinetic oil viscosity as well as the viscosity index.

In simple terms, dynamic oil viscosity is how oil flows when the engine is under pressure. Kinematic viscosity is the way the oil flows when it is impacted by gravity. Meanwhile, the viscosity index is how the oil viscosity changes with temperature changes.

The dynamic oil viscosity is used to calculate the kinematic viscosity. The kinematic viscosity is then measured at different temperatures to calculate the viscosity index. Note that the higher the viscosity index the less the oil gets affected by temperature changes.

The viscosity of the oil, along with other information, is then labeled on the oil as the grade. Grading oil is a scheme that was developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Below are the two classifications of oil according to the SAE:

Monograde oil

Monograde oil is a type of oil that is used over a relatively small temperature range. It can be divided into two main categories, depending on the climate. The oil categorized for cold climate is marked with the letter “W” for winter. These includes the likes of SAE 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, and 25W oil. The viscosity grade of these types of oil is often low.

However, the oils categorized for summer are not marked with W and are the best to choose from. These include the likes of SAE 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. The higher the viscosity grade, the thicker the oil.

Multigrade oil

The multigrade oil is suitable for use over a larger temperature range. Also, its standardized denotation has a number followed by a letter, then a number. 15W-40 and 10W-50 are typical examples of multigrade oil.

In its denotation, the number before the “W” is what is called the winder viscosity grade, and a lower number means the oil works efficiently to start your vehicle even at low temperatures. The “W” stands for winter, while the number after the letter is the oil viscosity at high temperature.

The Risks of Using the Wrong Oil Grade

What happens when you use the wrong oil grade for your vehicle? There are several consequences to this action but it all boils down to not getting sufficient lubrication when the engine gets to optimal operating temperature. Here are some of the consequences of using the wrong oil grade for your vehicle:

Engine Wear and Tear

Your car engine is made of so many moving parts. As such, proper lubrication is non-negotiable. When you use the wrong oil, the moving parts in the engine won’t be well-lubricated, causing significant wear and tear.

Reduced Fuel Efficiency

Similarly, when the moving parts in your engine don’t get sufficient lubrication, the increased friction will reduce fuel efficiency. So, always use the right engine oil for your automobile.

Potential Engine Damage

The wrong oil can damage your engine. Suppose the oil is too thin or too thick. It doesn’t provide sufficient lubrication for the smooth operation of all the moving parts in the engine. Eventually, friction and excessive heat will lead to mechanical failure.

How to Choose the Right Oil for Your Car

With so many types and grades available, choosing the best engine oil can be challenging. The best way to go about it is to consider the climate conditions and driving habits. Remember, your aim is to ensure your car engine is well-lubricated and functions efficiently!

So, if you have a cold climate, a thin viscosity oil is best. But if you are in a warm climate, a thick viscosity oil is a better choice. But to be certain you’re using the right oil, also take into consideration the following tips:

• OEM Specification
  Leaving your oil change for the professionals is key. Before you start your oil shopping, go through your vehicle’s manual. Somewhere embedded in the manual is a standard oil type that is ideal for use on your vehicle in different conditions. Follow whatever you find in the manual, except you have done some work on your vehicle’s engine, and the mechanic recommended a new oil.

• Consider the Oil Certification
  The certification of the oil is also worth mentioning. The essence of this step is to ensure you don’t buy substandard products, which may end up causing more harm than good. Some of the common reputable oil certifications include ILSAC GF-6 or API SN.

• Check Oil Label
  Finally, and most importantly, always read the oil label. After reviewing your climate and type of driving, ensure you get an oil that is right for your vehicle at that moment. Also, note that if you relocate and need a different type of oil, ensure you speak with a mechanic first before you go ahead to change it.