Editing What Motor Oil Should You Use?
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* [http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] - a detailed study of the longevity of synthetic motor oils in an automotive application. | * [http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] - a detailed study of the longevity of synthetic motor oils in an automotive application. | ||
*[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis, Blackstone's website gives a good explanation of what information you get from motor oil analysis, and how you can use it. | *[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis, Blackstone's website gives a good explanation of what information you get from motor oil analysis, and how you can use it. | ||
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===SAE Weight=== | ===SAE Weight=== | ||
The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. The "weight" of a motor oil is essentially its | The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. The "weight" of a motor oil is essentially its viscosity, or how "thick" it is. 30-weight oil is less viscous than 40-weight oil. | ||
In multi-weight oils, such as 10W-40, the first number is the oil's "weight" at low temperatures, and the second number is the oil's "weight" at high temperatures. Multi-weight oils have mostly displaced single-weight oils in the market place because they give better lubrication at start-up, especially in cold weather, than single-weights, and yet give the same protection at higher, operating temperatures. | In multi-weight oils, such as 10W-40, the first number is the oil's "weight" at low temperatures, and the second number is the oil's "weight" at high temperatures. Multi-weight oils have mostly displaced single-weight oils in the market place because they give better lubrication at start-up, especially in cold weather, than single-weights, and yet give the same protection at higher, operating temperatures. | ||
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On the other hand, OEM motor oils tend to be more expensive. Does eliminating the guess-work in selecting a motor oil justify the additional cost? That's up to you. | On the other hand, OEM motor oils tend to be more expensive. Does eliminating the guess-work in selecting a motor oil justify the additional cost? That's up to you. | ||
==Motor Oil Analysis== | ==Motor Oil Analysis== | ||
How do you really know if you're changing the motor oil in your motorcycle too often, or not often enough? How can you tell if the oil you're using is adequate? You can get valuable information to help answer those questions with used motor oil analysis. | How do you really know if you're changing the motor oil in your motorcycle too often, or not often enough? How can you tell if the oil you're using is adequate? You can get valuable information to help answer those questions with used motor oil analysis. | ||
Oil analysis is available from heavy machinery dealerships (such as [http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar]) or from any number of labs which can be found on-line and to which you can mail a sample. | Oil analysis is available from heavy machinery dealerships (such as [ http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar]) or from any number of labs which can be found on-line and to which you can mail a sample. | ||
The company you use should be able to help you interpret the results you get from your analysis. There are various tests that tell you different things: | The company you use should be able to help you interpret the results you get from your analysis. There are various tests that tell you different things: | ||
*Trace metals - indicates how an engine is internally wearing. Most helpful when repeated test are done. | *Trace metals - indicates how an engine is internally wearing. Most helpful when repeated test are done. | ||
*Particulate - indicates how well the oil filter is performing | *Particulate - indicates how well the oil filter is performing | ||
*Fuel & glycol - can indicate a leaking | *Fuel & glycol - can indicate a leaking head gasket or worn rings | ||
*TBN (Total Base Number) - indicates how well the additive package is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | *TBN (Total Base Number) - indicates how well the additive package is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | ||
*Viscosity - indicates how well the oil is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | *Viscosity - indicates how well the oil is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | ||
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==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ||
* Free Market Competition: http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Competition.html | |||
* Economics of Collusion: http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/monopoly/cartels.htm | |||
* Prisoner's Dilemma: http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/PrisonersDilemma.html | |||
==More Information== | |||
Some of these are repetitions of links earlier in this article. They're all gathered here for convenience, with a few added in for even more information. |