Costco Connection - April 2009

automotive connection

Oil you

need to

know

Most drivers know that motors need oil, but for many the understanding stops there. Here are some things you should know for a better appreciation.

Let the car sit for at least five minutes before
checking, to give the oil time to settle into the
sump, or reservoir, at the bottom of the engine.
with the hood open and securely
propped, locate the dipstick. its location var-
ies, but you can find it by looking for a brightly
colored handle—yellow, red or some other
noticeable color.
remove it and wipe it with a clean rag or
towel. reinsert it into the hole, then slowly
remove it again. Check the level. the oil mark
should fall between the two hash marks on the
dipstick. if it’s below the lower level, you need
to add oil. Before you do so, though, wipe the
dipstick again and check it a second time.
still low? Add a quart and recheck it. (it’s
best to add the oil, then start the engine to
circulate it, then let it sit for another five min-
utes before rechecking.) if it’s still below the
lower hash mark, you may need to add
another quart, but be careful not to overfill it,
as this can lead to other problems.

How to check your oil

Checking your oil level is a fairly simple procedure. experts generally agree that it’s best to drive the car first before checking it. so take a little spin, then find a cool, shady spot to pop the hood.

STOCKDISC/RF

intervals as long as 5,000 miles or six months between changes are considered acceptable.

some service centers will tell you that extreme driving conditions, such as stop-and-go traffic or extremely cold weather, require more frequent changes. the truth is that every three months or 3,000 miles is pretty extreme. if you aren’t driving in stop-and-go traffic, through minus-20-degree blizzards or up mountain passes with a 5,000-pound trailer, you could probably go longer between changes, and there’s certainly almost no condition that would warrant even more frequent changes.

How often should oil be changed?

if you change your oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles (or every three months, whichever comes first) and check its level regularly, chances are you’ll never experience an oil-related problem. For drivers using synthetic oil,

The Costco Connection

You can find most everything you’ll need to hydrate your car, including windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze and a selection of motor oil, at your local Costco warehouse and on Costco.com.

If you own or are looking to own an RV or boat, check out the article on page 51, which details an RV and boat purchasing and refinancing service for Costco members.

Deciphering oil weight
oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how
thick the oil is. the temperature require-
ments for oil set by the society of Automotive
engineers (sAe) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210
degrees F (high).

oils meeting the sAe’s low-temperature requirements have a “w” (which stands for winter) after the viscosity rating (e.g., sAe 10w), and oils that meet the high-temperature ratings have no letter (e.g., sAe 30). Multi-weight oils (such as sAe 10w- 30) are a new invention made possible by adding polymers to oil. the polymers allow the oil to have different weights at different temperatures. the first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature. engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts and thick enough when

the engine is hot.

the most popular motor oil weights and viscosity grades are:

• SAE 5W- 30. Performs well in subzero temperatures. A relatively thin motor oil that provides excellent fuel economy. Used primarily in newer-model automobiles.

• SAE 10W- 30. Performs well in temperatures above 0 degrees F. A slightly thicker version of 5w- 30 motor oil. Frequently recommended for most automobile engines, including high-performance multivalve and turbo-charged engines.

• SAE 10W- 40. Performs well in temperatures above 0 degrees F. A thicker oil that provides excellent viscosity. works well for controlling engine wear and preventing oil breakdown from oxidation. this heavier-weight oil performs better in hotter climates and is typically recommended in vehicles and trucks with larger engines. Possibly a little too thick for wintertime in some cold climates.

• SAE 20W- 40. Performs well in temperatures above 20 degrees F. Maximum protection for high-performance, high-rpm engines because of its high viscosity. An excellent oil for hot climates and towing at high speeds for long periods of time.