Understanding Oil

Every day Jiffy Lube® services thousands upon thousands of vehicles with the Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change. On an individual basis, Jiffy Lube helps customers select the motor oil that is right for their vehicle. In this article you will find the answers to some of the most common questions that Jiffy Lube encounters when it comes to truly “Understanding Oil.”

Why does my vehicle even need oil?

Did you know that some of the moving parts within your engine never really touch? It is true! They ride on a thin film of oil. One of the main functions of oil is to keep these moving parts separated from each other, preventing damage and wear.

Another important function of oil is cooling. As the oil circulates it carries away some of the heat generated as a result of the combustion process. When your motor oil level is low it will cause the engine temperature to rise. It is important to check your motor oil level frequently to make sure that this doesn’t occur.

Did you know that motor oil also plays an important role in helping to keep your engine clean? The oil within your engine is constantly cleaning as it lubricates picking-up and holding dirt, contaminants and other combustion by-products. Think of motor oil like you would think of a sponge. We all know that a sponge has the ability to pick-up and hold fluids, dirt, etc. When a sponge becomes oversaturated it can no longer hold any more fluid. These same attributes apply to your motor oil. When the oil becomes saturated with contaminants, and cannot hold anymore in suspension, the excess falls-out of suspension and can form deposits in the engine, one of which is known as “sludge.” Regular oil changes will remove suspended contaminants before “sludge” can form, helping keep your engine running cleaner and smoother.

When do I need an oil change? How do I choose the right type of oil?

You want to get your oil changed before sludge starts to form. Remember, sludge is one of the top enemies of your engine, so you want to take action before sludge takes over. The timing of oil changes can vary depending on the type of vehicle you drive, where you drive, and how you drive. Your vehicle manufacturer has done rigorous testing to help determine the timing between oil changes and the proper oil. All of this information can be found in your vehicle owner’s manual or you can easily stop by any Jiffy Lube service center where a trained technician can help.

What’s the difference between Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil?

The myth is that all synthetic oil is purely man-made and not based on oils found in nature. In today’s synthetic oils, crude or natural oil is purified and then structurally modified to produce improved performance.

Today’s motor oils contain base oils and several additives that are carefully blended together. Synthetic base oils may be made from a variety of chemicals and processes that are designed to have excellent performance at extreme temperatures and operating conditions. Select additives are used to improve flow characteristics and lubricating quality in the harshest of conditions. Conventional base oils are refined from crude oil. Additives may also be carefully added to conventional base oils to make quality motor oils as well.

While synthetic motor oils can provide exceptional performance and protection, they don’t eliminate the need for regular oil changes. High quality synthetic motor oils can perform and protect better than conventional motor oils, but engines running on gasoline or diesel will continue to naturally contaminate and stress the oil, and the additives can only work for so long.

SAE 10W-30? SAE 5W-40? What are these numbers and letters?

Let’s take SAE 10W-30 as our example …

The numbers come from a standardized industry scale from the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) to describe how well an oil flows (viscosity) through an engine when the engine is cold in the morning and when the engine is warmed up and working hard. But the one thing to remember is to match this number to what is recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual.

Most motor oils today have two numbers (multi-viscosity): for example, SAE 10W-30. The low number with the “W” (stands for Winter), or cold temperature number, relates to how well the oil can be pumped or pushed through the engine at certain cold temperatures.

The second number (in this example “30”) relates to how well the oil flows at higher engine temperatures. When your engine heats-up the motor oil gets thinner. Problems can arise when the motor oil gets too thin and can no longer keep some of the moving parts separated by the oil. So your oil is always maintaining a delicate balance: it needs to flow well when the engine is cold but also maintain an oil film at higher temperatures to keep metal parts lubricated and separated. Be careful – higher or lower viscosity numbers may not be compatible with your engine. To find out what oil grade is right for your engine, check your vehicle owner's manual.

Pride in your ride?

Jiffy Lube takes pride in educating customers about the role of motor oil, as well as the timing of your next oil change and the choices that you will have to make when you get there. Stop by your local Jiffy Lube to find out why the Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change is miles ahead of a traditional oil change.

Four Tips for Holiday Travel With Children

The highways will be crowded this holiday season with drivers making their way to holiday feasts, shopping malls and family visits. If you're planning a trip with children, here are four tips to make the drive safe and enjoyable:

1.	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends children sit in the back seat and be buckled-up properly.
	Infants (under 20 lbs.) should ride in rear-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or below shoulder level. Toddlers (20-40 lbs.) should ride in forward-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or above shoulders. Young children (more than 40 lbs.) should ride in a forward-facing booster seat with the lap belt fitting across the upper thighs and shoulder belt snug across the chest.
2.	One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to stay awake during your trip. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation recommend the following:
	Get a good night's sleep before your trip — 7-9 hours for adults and 8 ½-9 ½ hours for teens Make sure a passenger is awake to talk to the driver. Avoid medications that can impair performance. Recognize signs of fatigue: lane drifting, hitting rumble strips, repeated yawning, tailgating, difficulty focusing. Schedule stops every two hours or 100 miles.
3.	Bring along toys, books and video games to keep the kids busy. If you're planning a long drive, be prepared for frequent bathroom and food stops.
4.	If your child gets car sick, check with your doctor about possible medications to bring on the trip. To minimize the risk of carsickness, try driving at a constant speed, cracking a window, and feeding light snacks along the way to prevent the need for a heavy meal.

Tips for Traveling With Pets Over the Holidays

Let's face it; you're probably going to have to do more traveling before the holidays are over. Bringing your pets along is sometimes a necessity. If you're planning a trip with Fido, here's what you can do to help make the trip safe and enjoyable.  (Note:  It is definitely NOT recommended for you to put your dog in a regular seat belt.  We just thought this was an amusing image.)  

1.	Dogs and cats need to be secured properly, both for their safety and yours. The first and best option is to crate your animal for the duration of the trip. For large animals, a more feasible option is to use a special harness that attaches to your vehicle's seatbelt. Crates and harnesses are available at your local pet store.
2.	The ASPCA cautions against allowing pets to ride with their heads out the window of a moving vehicle. Not only do they risk being hit with a flying object, but they are also at risk of inner ear damage and lung infections.
3.	The noises and movement from car travel make many pets anxious. This anxiety can be expressed through barking, shaking, excessive drooling or even vomiting. Prepare your pets for a long trip well before you plan to leave. Start slowly by getting them used to being in the car. Once they are a little more comfortable, condition them with short trips around the block, gradually extending the duration of these trips. If your pet still suffers car anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about medications. Also consider keeping stain and odor remover in the trunk, just in case of an accident.
4.	Don't feed your pet right before you plan to leave. Instead, give him or her a light meal a few hours in advance. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle.
5.	Just as you will on a long trip, your pet will need periodic pit stops and stretch breaks, too. Bring along a leash, water and small treats, as well as a favorite toy the pet can play with for some exercise.
6.	If you're planning overnight hotel stays, be sure to check in advance whether the hotel has pet-friendly policies.

The Jiffy Lube Gift Card--Perfect for Anyone on Your List

Christmas is coming, and the best gift you can give your car, your self, or your loved ones, is the gift of preventive maintenance.  Jiffy Lube Specializes in helping you keep your ride alive, so you can be on the road safely and reliably for many more holiday seasons to come.  So whether you have teen drivers eager to get around in their new vehicle, spouses whose safety you care about, parents or grandparents who own vehicles, or even neighbors--a Jiffy Lube Gift Card for the holidays is always a safe bet.

www.jiffylube.com

Winterization--Now's the Time!!

Winterization Tips

Keep the Juices Flowing.

Replace vital fluids such as motor oil, differential fluid and transmission fluid according to the vehicle manufacturers' time and mileage recommendations.

Motor oil is an engine's lifeblood, reducing friction between moving parts and cleaning away harmful dirt and contaminants in the engine. Generally, drivers should use the lightest grade of oil their vehicle manufacturer recommends for the conditions they drive in. During the winter, this may mean an even lighter grade than usual. The right motor oil grade can save an average of three cents per gallon of gasoline.

Antifreeze/coolant is also important in colder temperatures to keep the engine from freezing.

Breathe Easy.

The engine air filter is like a vehicle's lung, helping the engine breathe as it burns fuel. When the filter gets clogged with dirt, leaves or other contaminants the engine has to work harder to pull clean air into the cylinders, which can reduce fuel economy.

Engine air filters should be periodically inspected and changed.

Amp Up the Energy.

A weak battery is unreliable and may take longer to start on frigid winter mornings. According to the American Automobile Association, a battery can lose 35% of its power at 32° F and 60% of its power at 0° F.

Have the battery tested at the beginning of the season to make sure it has enough cranking power to withstand the cold. To minimize strain, start the vehicle with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off.

Stay Pumped.

Under-inflated or worn tires are common problems that can be dangerous on slick, icy roads. Under-inflated tires create extra friction where the rubber meets the road, making them wear faster and unevenly. This impacts the vehicle's traction and can possibly lead to dangerous blowouts. Properly inflated tires also provide better cushion between potholes and the tire rim, lessening the risk of wheel alignment damage.

Tire pressure should be checked regularly and filled to the recommended cold level. This information is usually located in the vehicle owner's manual or on a sticker in the doorjamb, trunk or glove box. Correct tire pressure is vehicle-specific, not tire-specific, so do not use the pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire.

Correctly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by about three cents per gallon of gasoline.

Keep an Eye on the Prize.

Windshield washer fluid is critical for good visibility since it helps clear away ice, road grime and dirt. Add more when the reservoir is low.

Wiper blades should glide smoothly across the windshield so they do not leave streaks or blind spots. If there are pits or rough patches on the part that touches the glass, the blade needs to be replaced.

Be Prepared.

A properly packed emergency kit is essential during the winter. It should contain a flashlight, extra batteries, water, flares, blankets, a shovel, a snowbrush, an ice scraper and tire chains where they are allowed by law. Kitty litter or sand can be spread under tires to get better traction when starting from an ice patch or in the snow.

Jiffy Lube® service centers are conveniently located throughout North America and can help drivers get their vehicles in shape for the winter months. A Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change takes only minutes to perform and includes up to 5 quarts of fresh motor oil and a new oil filter. It also features a fuel efficiency review that includes an assessment of air filters and tire pressure, among other preventive maintenance services.

* Savings estimates based on a $2.00 (USD) cost per gallon of gasoline and government and independent studies.