As you would expect, oxygen causes engine oil oxidation. Oxygen makes up about 20 percent of our atmosphere. It is the third most abundant element in the universe. Without it we would all be doomed. And yet too much of it can cause problems in your engine.
What is Oil Oxidation?
Oxidation occurs when the addition of oxygen changes a chemical. Take an apple for example. Everyone knows that oxygen quickly causes a sliced apple to turn brown. Oxygen can cause rusting on some metals within days. Have you ever noticed that your brakes squeak after leaving your car in wet weather for a few days? That sound is your brake pads rubbing rust off the rotors.
Motor oil is not immune to oxidation. When oil reacts with oxygen, a permanent chemical change occurs that causes oil molecules to lose one or more electrons. This can lead to several problems including.
- Formation of sludge and deposits that reduce engine efficiency and increase the risk of engine failure increased oil viscosity, which reduces fuel consumption
- Depletion of additives, reducing the effectiveness of the oil
- Accelerated degradation, requiring more frequent oil changes
Heat accelerates engine oil oxidation
Every 10C rise in temperature doubles the engine oil oxidation rate. That doesn’t bode well for motorists driving modern turbocharged vehicles that produce more heat compared to older vehicles. Heat is not the only engine oil oxidation accelerator – certain metals, acids and water can also accelerate oxidation. This also applies to large amounts of entrained air, also known as foaming.
Can we prevent engine oil oxidation?
Unfortunately not. Nature is relentless and all motor oil will eventually oxidize to some degree.
But we can dramatically slow down oxidation by using synthetic base oils and high-quality oxidation-inhibiting additives. Solution Oil lubricants are composed of base oils with a saturated molecular structure, which means that no oxygen can adhere. This provides inherent heat and oxidation stability compared to unsaturated conventional oils.
And because Solution Oil synthetic lubricants do not contain contaminants like conventional oils, their base composition does not accelerate oxidation. Solution Oil synthetic lubricants also contain high quality oxidation inhibitors. These additives are sacrificial in nature, meaning they are designed to deplete over time. Because Solution Oil synthetic lubricants naturally have better oxidation resistance, their oxidation inhibitors last longer because they do not wear out as quickly.
What’s that for me?
That all adds up to a motor oil that…
- Lasts longer despite intense heat and stress
- Helps keep your engine cleaner and more efficient
- Saves money in the long run through less maintenance
In fact, Solution Oil delivers 28 percent more acid neutralizing power than Mobil 1, helping to keep engines cleaner for longer. So while oxygen lets you breathe, Solution Oil motor oil lets you breathe easily because your engine is protected from oxidation.