Oil additives can fix some common engine problems, but a lot depends on the severity of the issues you’re talking about. Obviously, they’re not going to fix a blown head gasket, but they can help with a number of smaller problems.
Everyday wear and tear can be a major cause of engine issues as your car gets older, and these problems can be compounded by the use of low-quality parts and inadequate maintenance. That’s where oil additives come in!
Oil additives can really boost your engine oil’s performance by increasing its viscosity, protecting your engine from rust and corrosion, or helping it to run better by cleaning the internal components of the motor. To read about more benefits of oil additives, check out this article.
But do oil additives really address common engine issues effectively?
Common engine problems
Some engine problems can be minor fixes that are easy and can be done pretty cheaply. But repairing major issues can often be a huge financial burden plus the time it takes to be fixed.
- Overheating, poor lubrication, engine knocking, oil leaks, clogged fuel injectors, and low oil pressure are all common engine problems. Let’s take a look at what’s causing these issues.
- Unsurprisingly, overheating is often due to a lack of coolant, or a faulty cooling system. But if you have an air-flow issue or a blocked radiator, this could also be the reason your engine is running hot
- Poor lubrication can be a result of using the cheapest oil you can find, or not performing regular oil changes
- Engine knocking is usually the result of incorrect ignition timing, or poorly maintained spark plugs and fuel injection systems which cause carbon build up on your engine’s internal parts
- Oil leaks are the result of bad gaskets and seals that deteriorate over time and become brittle and stiff until they crack and allow leaks
- Clogged fuel injectors cause a lot of carbon build up as well leading to terrible performance and even increased fuel costs
- Not changing your oil at regular intervals can dramatically reduce its ability to lubricate correctly leading to increased wear and tear on your car’s engine
Types of oil additives
So how can oil additives alleviate these common engine problems? By adding oil additives to your motor oil, you can improve the performance of the oil, while also protecting against wear and tear.
The most common types of oil additives include friction modifiers, detergents, viscosity improvers, anti-wear agents, and corrosion inhibitors.
- Friction modifiers help with your oil’s viscosity by increasing the lubrication aspects of the oil and reducing the friction that takes place between the metal parts of your engine.
- Detergents and dispersants are great for older cars with a lot of miles that have a lot of carbon and other build up inside their engine
- Viscosity improvers enhance the oil’s ability to lubricate the internal parts of your engine so that there is a lot less wear and tear on each part
- Anti-wear agents offer extra lubrication through compounds that stick to the metal parts of the engine so that there is a lot less wear and tear on each part
- Corrosion inhibitors help combat rust and oxidation within the motor that can otherwise plug up the car’s flow system leading to expensive repairs
Oil additives and their effectiveness in fixing engine problems
Most common engine problems can be improved by the use of oil additives. If you’re experiencing overheating issues, try a viscosity improver or friction modifier to help alleviate the problem, while detergents and dispersants are effective solutions to poor lubrication, engine knocking, clogged fuel injectors and low oil pressure.
For oil leaks, try using an additive that has a seal conditioner in its ingredients that help keep your seals and gaskets from getting brittle and cracking.
But what are all of these additives actually doing?
Viscosity improvers and friction modifiers provide a thin layer of lubricant to your engines metal parts, this prevents the build up of heat, thus keeping your engine cooler and avoiding overheating issues.
Or why not try a detergent or dispersant to help reduce over-lubrication of components, which can often lead to poor lubrication, engine knocking and clogged fuel injectors?
This can also aid in the breakdown of dirt deposits from surfaces, resulting in improved fluid flow.
As we mentioned, anti-wear agents provide an extra layer of protection against metal-to-metal contact between moving engine parts, but they can also contribute to better lubrication overall.
And let’s not forget seal conditioners, which can prevent oil leaks by providing a protective film on seals and gaskets that can help prevent breakage or erosion over time.
Potential drawbacks of using oil additives
The use of oil additives can, however, come with a few drawbacks, especially if they are used incorrectly or you’re using them beyond their expiration date.
Most often, the person using the additive isn’t using it correctly, or hasn’t looked at their car’s manufacturer’s suggestions or warnings. This can get bad as sometimes this situation can literally void your warranty.
Always be sure you’re using the correct amount per the instructions on the label. Don’t just guess and pour the bottle into the engine’s oil intake!
Furthermore, failure to use the correct amount, or oil additives which are not compatible with your engine type, could actually cause damage to your engine components.
Last, but by no means least, is the cost of the additives themselves. These costs can be significant, particularly for large engines that require more additive than a normal small car would.
Conclusion
We’ve established that oil additives can be effective in fixing common engine problems, such as overheating, poor lubrication, engine knocking and low oil pressure. Seal conditioners may also help to address oil leaks in older cars or where the weather is particularly hot and dry.
We’ve also examined the potential drawbacks of these additives, possible increased oil consumption, damage to engine components due to incorrect use or incompatibility of the additives you’re using, and the overall cost of them.
One thing you should always remember when looking into the effectiveness of oil additives as far as helping fix common engine problems is that they are intended to boost a quality engine oil’s performance, not replace the oil or be used to replace regular oil changes. You still need to keep to a regular maintenance program just like every other car.
And always be sure you’re using them correctly and the ones you’re choosing are the right product for your specific car and driving habits. Carefully read the labels before using any kind of oil additive. And always buy a quality brand of oil additive to be sure what you’re using isn’t going to cause more damage than good!