| Selecting The Oil |
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Your car’s owner’s manual will tell you not only how much oil is required to fill it, but also what grade or weight of oil. The weight measure is the viscosity or thickness of the oil. Ten-weight oil is thinner than 30-weight oil. A 10W-30 oil acts like it’s 10-weight when it’s cold (less drag when starting the engine) and 30-weight when it warms up. The W in 10W is the “winter weight.” Cars that are always in warmer climates may not require 10W. Newer cars with little or no wear do well with 30-weight oil. As a car’s engine begins to wear, heavier weight oil can keep it from “burning” (actually losing oil around the pistons) oil. One more thing: buy oil that’s rated for gasoline engines—unless your car’s engine is diesel. If in doubt, ask your favorite auto parts clerk. That’s about it. In fact, you can buy a year’s worth of oil and filters and store them so you don’t have to run out to buy everything at the last minute. Oil in a can or bottle can be stored two years or more depending on what additives are in the oil. You’re a good environmental citizen so you’re going to properly dispose of the oil once it’s drained. Fortunately, many auto parts retailers have facilities for recycling used oil so ask them as you buy your oil how to best dispose of it. Alternately, there are environmentally-friendly oil collection containers that absorb the old oil so it can be trashed. Your auto parts store can tell you what’s available—and what’s allowed.
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