What is the Difference Between Lubricating Oil and Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Here is a detailed introduction to the differences between lubricating oil and engine oil: 1. Engine oil, also known as engine lubricating oil, serves multiple functions such as lubrication and wear reduction, cooling and temperature reduction, sealing and leakage prevention, rust and corrosion protection, cleaning, and shock absorption. Engine oil is a type of lubricating oil, but not all lubricating oils are engine oils. Lubricating oil is a type of liquid used to reduce friction in mechanical equipment or wear pairs, such as gear oil, anti-wear hydraulic oil, and even grease. 2. Engine oil is special because the structure of a car engine is more complex, requiring higher precision in the fit between parts, and thus higher demands on the lubricating oil. It can be said that the engine is the heart of a car, and engine oil is the blood of the engine. 3. Inside the engine, there are many metal surfaces that rub against each other. These components operate at high speeds, in harsh environments, and at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 600°C. Under such extreme conditions, only specific lubricating oils can reduce wear on engine parts and extend their service life. Although engine oil is also composed of base oil and additives, the base oil is the main component of lubricating oil, determining its basic properties. However, different additives compensate for the shortcomings of the base oil and provide new properties, enabling the oil to have corresponding effects on different components.
Oh, lubricating oil and engine oil are quite similar but not the same thing! I remember being confused when I bought my first car too. Lubricating oil is a general term used to lubricate various machine parts to prevent friction and wear, such as bicycle chains and factory equipment, which can use ordinary lubricating oil. Engine oil, on the other hand, specifically refers to the oil used for car engines, a type of lubricating oil but more advanced. It must withstand high temperatures, reduce friction, and clean impurities because the engine operates at high temperatures and accumulates a lot of dirt. The grades of engine oil, like 5W-30, indicate its fluidity at different temperatures, which lubricating oil doesn’t have. Don’t mix them when changing oil, and trying to save money by using ordinary lubricating oil instead of engine oil? The engine might overheat and get damaged! Last time I serviced my car, the technician reminded me to choose the right brand of engine oil to maintain its lifespan. It’s recommended to check the owner’s manual more often for peace of mind and safety.
