Winter Oil a Necessity DETAILS TO ENSURE GOOD SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

Winter Oil a Necessity DETAILS TO ENSURE GOOD SERVICE

THE use of heavy summer oils in winter causes cars to be sluggish and much of this sluggish running is frequently put down to bad carburation, faidty fuel, overcooled engines and similar reasons. It is quite definite, however, and it can be demonstrated by any motorist with his own car, that the use of winter oil in cold weather as compared with a summer oil, enables his engine to respond much more quickly on the road during the warming-up period. Many motorists think that the warm-ing-up of the engine is merely tho'timo taken for the cooling water to reach its working temperature. The truth is that the lubricating oil in the oil sump warms up much more slowly, and until it is thoroughly warm the engine cannot possibly produce its normal working efficiency due to excessive oil drag, because the lower the temperature of the oil, the greater tho drag, duo to its thicker condition. This has nn important effect on both power output and fuel economy? while there is also a difference in regard to maximum speed in favour of the winter oil.

However, perhaps one of tho most important features for the town motorist is quick acceleration, due to traffic control and general road conditions, and it is here that tho winter oil shows a definite advantage, which is immediately obvious to a motorist without recourse to stop watches, accelcrometers. and tho like.

Quick engine response from cold is one of the most satisfactory features of motoring during winter.

Quick starting means less battery drain in winter,' when it is essential to conserve the battery power to tho utmost degree, owing to frequent use of such accessories as fog lamps, windscreen wipers, cigarette lighters, engine starters, car heaters and similar units. Engine starting causes the greatest drain on the battery, lieuce the lpss the drain due to use of the proper engine oil, the greater the safety during winter driving, due to proper operation of auxiliary units.

The question of oil drag, moreover, is not confined to the engine. It is equally important in regard to the transmission, where the most important lubricated parts are tho gearbox and roar axle.

As these units are out of sight, they are frequently neglected from a lubrication standpoint, and tho draining out of the old lubricant in the gearbox and rear axle, the cleaning out of any inipuritios that may be present, with a suitable flushing oil, and refilling with tho correct grade of gearbox ana back axle oil does effect a definite improvement.

All oils tend to thicken up in use in transmissions; consequently the cleaning out of the old oils and elimination of particles of metal • worn off the various moving parts, helps to keep the gearing in first-class condition and improves the life of tho bearing surfaces. At tho same timo, it is advisable to have tho wheel bearings lubricated. In some cars only tho front wheel bearings require separate lubrication, and in otliers botn front and rear hubs require attention. These details can bo readily ascertained from oiling charts.

Sluggishly running cars, due to faulty engine and transmission lubrication," spell inconvenience and waste of fuel.

Winter motoring can bo rendered enjoyable by attention to theso simple details.