Frequentley asked questions

What does my oil actually do?

The point of engine oil is primarily to stop all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together and tearing themselves apart from friction whilst transferring heat away from the combustion cycle. Engine oil must also be able to hold all the nasty by-products of combustion, such as silica (silicon oxide) and acids in suspension. It cleans the engine of these chemicals and build-ups, and keeps the moving parts coated in oil. Finally, engine oil minimizes the exposure to oxygen and thus oxidation at higher temperatures. It does all of these things under tremendous heat and pressure.

Does oil ever wear out or does it just get dirty?

Motor oil breaks down with mileage and time - the oil additives weaken as the engine oil is used. Dirt can be a factor as well. Changing motor oil on a regular basis will eliminate these factors.

Are conventional (regular) motor oils natural, unprocessed products?

The base oils used in conventional motor oils come from a natural source and are then put through a hydrocarbon process in which the additives are blended.

Is switching motor oil brands harmful to my engine?

No. Switching brands is not harmful to your engine since all motor oil manufacturers must meet the same industry standards for performance and compatibility. However, make sure you follow the recommendations provided in your owner's manual for viscosity and API category.

Do I need to change my motor oil every 3,000 miles?

Most consumers (more than 80% of drivers, drive under what is considered severe driving conditions (stop and go, short trips, towing, or very hot or very cold temperatures). Auto manufacturers' oil change interval recommendations are dramatically shorter for severe driving conditions, with the majority recommending 3,750 miles or less and with 3,000 miles being the most common recommendation. Both oil and oil filters have less of a useful life under severe conditions due to increased dirt and other contaminants. So, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure engine health.

Do I have to change my oil filter every time I change the oil?

Yes. We recommend replacing the filter every time you change the oil following the oil change intervals recommended in your owner's manual. This eliminates any risk of contaminants trapped by the oil filter (e.g., dirt) from re-entering the oil.

I heard that when motor oil becomes dark, that means it's time to change it. Is this true?

This is not true. You cannot determine the life of motor oil by looking at its appearance since it may change color for several reasons. To insure the best quality product, always follow the owner's manual guidelines for oil change intervals

How is synthetic motor oil different from regular (conventional) motor oil?

Synthetic products are produced through a synthesis process that takes very small molecules and assembles them into larger designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. Others may be produced through a synthesis process that takes very large molecules, breaks them apart, and re-arranges them to produce designer molecules with premium lubricating properties. In either case, the end products are base fluids with extremely good lubricating properties. 
Conventional base stocks are refined from crude oil through various hydrorefined/hydrotreated refining processes to separate and/or convert undesirable compounds to yield a suitable finished base stock.

Is synthetic motor oil made in a laboratory? Is it "fake" oil?

Synthetic oils are not fake - they are still derived from crude. However, synthetic oils use higher base stocks than conventional oils and go through a synthesis process in which all the molecules are made into the same size for higher film strength. 
Synthetic oils also contain man-made additives that are added to the oil to increase film strength, the ability to handle high temperatures, etc.

Can you go longer between oil changes if you use a synthetic blend or full synthetic motor oil?

Synthetic or synthetic blended oils are not intended to extend oil change intervals. These oils are recommended for use in harder working engines and to assist with gas mileage, not to extend service intervals beyond what the manufacturer recommends.

Is it ok to switch back and forth between regular and synthetic motor oil?

I heard this causes leaks? Is this true? 
Switching between synthetic and conventional oil does not cause problems. Because the oils are compatible, you can switch back and forth as often as you like.

Can you mix different types of motor oil? For example, synthetic and synthetic blend or regular and synthetic?

Is this going to cause problems? 
Mixing synthetic and conventional oils will not cause any problems. The oils are compatible with each other.

Is it ok to switch weights of motor oil, for example go from a 5w20 to a 10w30?

It depends. Some vehicle manufacturers provide a range of recommended motor oil viscosity grades based on the outside temperature in which the car is driven. Other manufacturers recommend the use of only one viscosity grade. For best engine performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Is it ok to use 5w30 in a car if the owner's manual calls for 5w20?

Some manufacturers now use 5w20 engine oil to maximize fuel economy for certain applications. Using a 5w30 may cause a slight decrease in fuel economy. For maximum engine performance, We suggest following the recommended motor oil viscosity and maintenance schedule provided in your owner's manual.

What does the "W" in a grade of motor oil stand for?

The "W" in motor oil stands for winter.

How do I read the numbers around the 'W'? For example 5W40?

Single grade oils get too thin when hot for most modern engines, which is where multigrade oil comes in. The idea is simple - use science and physics to prevent the base oil from getting as thin as it would normally do when it gets hot. As a quick primer - the number before the 'W' is the 'cold' viscosity rating of the oil, and the number after the 'W' is the 'hot' viscosity rating. So 5W40 oil is one, which behaves like a 5-rated single grade oil when cold, but doesn't thin any more than a 40-rated single grade oil when hot. The lower the 'winter' number (hence the 'W'), the easier the engine will turn over when starting in cold climates.

Is thicker oil better?

Depending on the circumstances, thicker oil can be used to help fill in wear gaps that have developed over the years. However, the recommendation is to always use the viscosity recommended in your owner's manual.

When does it make sense to use straight weight oil (SAE30) versus a multigrade oil (5w30)?

A straight weight oil is never recommended for use in a system that requires a multi-viscosity oil. Straight weight oils are generally recommended for smaller engine applications or older vehicle applications that were made before multi-viscosity oils were produced.

Can switching from a conventional to a high mileage motor oil create gasket leaks?

No. The conventional and high mileage oils are compatible with each other. Mixing or switching the products will not cause leaks.

Is switching types of motor oil (conventional, synthetic, etc.) harmful to my engine?

Conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic and high-mileage motor oils are compatible and will not harm your engine.

Is it true that older cars must use conventional oil?

No. Some older cars can use synthetic oils.

Where can I buy Motus products?

www.motus-cee.com/en/motion-makers/where-to-buy/

Why are Motus brands better then others on the market?

Our brands have one simple common goal: to make the choice for our clients easier by offering the complete line of oils and lubricants that are in accordance with the specific needs of many types of engines and their working conditions and that are providing the complete satisfaction to our customers. With the continuous investing in the brand development we are trying even better to meet the needs of our clients: by innovative products of the highest quality; by enabling our clients a pleasant experience of using our product; by communicating to clients in the way that suits their life and business habits.