Many people diligently change their oil when recommended, but these are not the only times you need to think about your engine’s oil. You must also be concerned about how well your oil works during the colder months. There are four important ways cold weather impacts your vehicle’s oil, and this article will discuss those below.
1. Cold Weather Leads to Increased Viscosity
When the weather is cold, oil viscosity changes. Viscosity refers to the thickness or thinness of the oil and how well it can flow through the engine. As the viscosity increases, the oil cannot lubricate your engine as well as it does in warmer weather. Without proper lubrication, your vehicle experiences increased wear and tear, and starting the car may be more difficult.
Cold oil travels slower and takes longer to lubricate the engine’s parts. This is a problem because the engine requires oil when you first start it. The engine’s metal parts will be susceptible to increased friction if it does not receive it. As this situation continues, it increases the amount of wear and tear your engine receives, which potentially leads to damage and reduces its efficiency as well.
2. Cold Weather Causes the Oil to Circulate More Slowly
In cold weather, the oil will not freeze, but it does become thick, and this causes it to circulate more slowly. If the oil is not circulating freely, the engine cannot run as smoothly as you would like. Thickened oil makes it difficult for your engine to turn over when you try to start it. In addition to that, thick oil causes your starter motor and battery to be strained, and there is less lubrication for the engine as it is running. As the battery experiences strain, it grows weaker, so it begins to work harder to make your engine run.
3. Cold Weather Increases the Friction When Starting the Engine
When the oil is cold, the friction between the moving parts of your vehicle increases. It also increases the time you need to warm up your vehicle, reducing the car’s fuel efficiency. As your vehicle is taking longer to reach the temperature that it needs to operate at its best, it negatively affects the overall performance of the vehicle. You would need to allow your engine to run for at least 30 seconds before you move on to your destination. Pushing a car too hard right after starting it is how most issues present themselves because the engine is still cold.
4. The Effect of Cold Weather on Oil Reduces Fuel Efficiency
The vehicle uses more fuel as the temperatures cool down and the engine takes longer to warm up. Cold oil causes your vehicle’s fuel efficiency to go down. The vehicle operates at its best when it reaches its optimal temperature, but it cannot reach this temperature right away during the cold months because the oil is not circulating quickly. In addition to that, when oil is cold, it can damage the engine.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
