Is It Safe to Store Engine Oil in the Car?
1 Answers
It is safe to store engine oil in the car. Since engine oil is not classified as a hazardous material and is not flammable, it can be normally stored in the trunk without adhering to the regulations for transporting or storing hazardous materials. Engine oil, also known as motor lubricant, serves multiple functions for the engine, including lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing against leaks, rust and corrosion prevention, and shock absorption. Engine oil consists of two main components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the primary constituent of the lubricant, determining its fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and enhance the shortcomings of the base oil, providing additional performance benefits. Additives are a crucial part of the lubricant. Based on the base oil classification, engine oils are typically divided into three categories: mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and full-synthetic oil. Among these, full-synthetic oil offers the best performance, maintaining a lubricating film at high temperatures and effectively reducing wear on engine components. It also provides excellent low-temperature protection, ensuring smooth engine starts in cold conditions. Its detergency and dispersancy effectively control sludge and varnish formation, keeping the engine internals clean. Additionally, it helps reduce fuel consumption and engine oil loss, offering good economic benefits. Different types of engine oils have varying oil change intervals: mineral oil typically requires replacement every 5,000 kilometers, semi-synthetic oil every 7,500-8,000 kilometers, and full-synthetic oil can last up to 10,000 kilometers.
