Black Gold

To an Engine Oil Is Life, So You Need the Right Info if It’s Going to Survive the Long Haul

- Jim Smart

To your engine, oil is what keeps all the various parts working together in harmony. Nothing is more important that feeding your engine with the right lubricants. Your Chevy doesn’t have to be a lost cause at 150,000 miles. We’re going to show you how to get 250,000 to 300,000 miles out of your classic or late-model by doing nothing more than using the right lubricants and changing them out on a regular basis.

WHAT OIL DOES

Lubrication performs two basic functions. It keeps moving parts from touching each other and it carries heat and corrosive contaminants away from those moving parts. Engine oil has the most intimate contact with an engine’s moving parts, including the hottest parts like exhaust valve stems and piston rings. It has to have qualities that allow it to stand up to the toughest conditions imaginable.

When lubricating oil breaks down under high-heat conditions it stops protecting moving parts, which is what leads to engine failure. Not only does engine oil keep moving parts from getting together, it also coats these parts to prevent destructive oxidation and corrosion. Additives in the oil contribute to the prevention of corrosion and the resulting deterioration. Detergents and dispersants contribute even further to prevent sludge and carbon buildup.