LET’S TALK AUTO-LUBRICATION

In this maiden edition of “Auto-lube Talk”, we shall consider the importance of lubrication as it relates with automobile and how a sound understanding of this information can translate to saving maintenance cost, whilst protecting your car engine and making it to last more than it ought.

In the automobile world of today, you can’t talk of an automobile, be it a motorcar, truck, tractor or earthmoving equipment without the word ‘lubrication’.

Lubrication is the major reason among others of the function of oil in a vehicle. It simply means ‘control of friction and wear by the introduction of a friction-reducing film between moving surfaces in contact’. In other words, anything that aids or tends to reduce friction and wear in order to promote or ease movement is lubrication. Any lubrication may occur as a fluid, solid or even plastic substance.

The functions of lubrication in a vehicle are nevertheless very vital because they are required in many lubricating systems operating within an automobile, which requires this basic function i.e. to facilitate movement efficiently.

For instance, you have the brake system, crankcase system/engine, gear system, shock-absorber system, wheel-bearing system, power-steering system, the doors lock/hinges systems, etc. Now, all these systems require lubrication and will also use different types of lubrication needs to do their specific functions for the satisfactory performance of your car.

Beyond the function to reduce friction and wear, lubrication also acts as an efficient coolant for bearings, cylinder walls and piston. It also safeguards against corrosion and keeps the engine clean while carrying away the waste generated by combustion, in the case of the crankcase system in a car.

Do you know that not draining your car engine oil regularly can constitute a major problem to the engine thus increasing maintenance cost and also reducing the longevity of your car engine. When an oil becomes too thick or too light (like water) in a car engine, it is a lubrication-associated problem and can lead to disappointment, smoky exhaust, engine knock, etc (if immediate attention/care is given to the problem).

For you to enjoy sound driving all-year round and more value from your car engine, you should keep a tab with this column for more interesting lessons such as “how to choose the right oil for your engine”, “why should your car be attracted to synthetic oils”, “The wrong notions of brake-fluid”, “how can I understand the number and letter systems used to rate oils?” etc.

Happy driving!