The effect of engine oil on engine life must not be under estimated.

The effect of engine oil on engine life and performance is well documented. A breakdown in lubrication will lead to overheating, seizure or at best excessive engine wear. With the cost of replacement parts engine oil is a vital link in the chain to maintaining a healthy engine, extending engine life and engine oil change intervals while reducing running costs

The effect of engine oil on engine life is impacted by the lubrication system.

The process of lubrication in an internal combustion engine begins in the sump, commonly referred to as the oil pan. From here, the lube is pulled through a strainer, by the oil pump, removing larger contaminants from the mass of the fluid. The motor oil then goes through the oil filter.


It’s important to note that the effect of engine oil on engine life is greatly influenced by the oil filter. It is important to note that not all filters perform the same. A filter’s ability to remove particles is dependent upon many factors, including the media material (pore size, surface area and depth of filter), the differential pressure across the media, and the flow rate across the media. Engine oil is pumped through passageways to the various components of the engine such as the cam, main bearings, rod, pistons, etc. Gravity then pulls it back down to the bottom of the motor to drain back into the sump, and the engine lubrication cycle repeats.

The effect of engine oil on engine life relies on the makeup of the engine oil.

To appreciate the full effect of engine oil on engine life, you must understand how lubricants are formulated. All engine oils have two components: additives and base oil. The total volume of additives in motor oil can range from 20 to 30 percent, depending on brand, formulation and application. These additives can enhance, suppress or add properties to the base oil.

A typical additive package found in engine oil would include a detergent and a dispersant. These two additives work together to help rid the engine system of deposits caused by the burning of fuel and contributed to by blow-by gases. Dispersants and detergents are small particles that have a polar head and an oleophilic tail. The polar heads are attracted to contaminants within the oil and surround them, forming a structure called a micelle.

Soot is a good example of a deposit that is controlled by detergents and dispersants. Soot particles are enveloped by dispersant particles, forming a micelle, and are kept from attaching to metal surfaces. They are moved in this state through the oil system until they are removed by the filter. This also prevents a process known as congealing. During congealing, soot particles begin to stack upon each other or congeal into a larger particle. Smaller soot particles that could pass through components without interrupting the fluid film can congeal to make larger particles, which may disrupt the film and damage surfaces.

Another common engine oil additive would be an anti-wear (AW) formula. AW additives have particles that are shaped similar to detergents and dispersants, but the polar heads of these molecules are attracted to metal surfaces. Once attached to a metal surface, AW additives form a sacrificial layer that protects the surfaces beneath them from degradation under boundary conditions. Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) is a common form of this additive.

Most vehicle engines use some form of multi-grade oil. This has an additive called a viscosity-index (VI) improver. A common example would be 10W-30 or 5W-40. These VI improvers are long-chain organic molecules that change shape as the temperature of their environment changes. When in cold environments (engine startup), these molecules are tightly bound. As the oil heats up, they begin to stretch out. This allows an easier flow at colder temperatures but still maintain an acceptable viscosity and, more importantly, a lubricating layer in the operating temperature range.

The effect of engine oil on engine life is adversely influenced by engine oil breakdown.

Engine oils are subject to several types of failures. Contamination poses a significant problem to engine lubrication. Environmental contaminants can expedite the process of oxidation and cause premature filter plugging. Fuel contamination can lower the viscosity of the oil, leading to boundary conditions within the engine’s moving parts. Glycol (antifreeze) contamination does the opposite, increasing viscosity so the oil doesn’t flow as well into places that require thinner oil. Overheating and long engine oil change intervals can also hasten the degradation of the oil and result in oxidation and poor engine lubrication.

In addition, additive shearing can create engine lubrication problems. Over time, VI improvers are sheared down, reducing the oil’s viscosity at operating temperatures. The AW and dispersants/detergents are no different. They become depleted, and the remaining molecules are not as effective. An engine oil change is then needed. This can be caused by extended drain intervals and poor maintenance.

When it comes to the effect of engine oil on engine life, the same principles apply: The lubricating film must be maintained to ensure proper operating conditions and to achieve the maximum life of the engine’s components. Changing engine oil regularly and sustaining appropriate fluid levels are the keys to overall health and engine life.

Of course using synthetic motor oil enhances the effect of engine oil on engine life. From improving temperature and viscosity stability, to reducing friction and extending oil change intervals. If you’d like to find out more about synthetic engine oil, please contact the professionals at Habot Oil. We are manufacturers of high quality lubricants.