Whether you have questions pertaining to motor oil performance, synthetic oils or how to recycle your used oil, you can get the answers you’re looking for below.
GENERAL MOTOR OIL
Does motor oil expire? If not, how long does motor oil generally last?
Alpha Oils do not have documented expiration dates. When stored under optimal conditions, the product remains stable for an extended period of time. It can be used as long as the (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your cars owner's manual. If the rating is still current, we advise you shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
Does motor oil ever wear out or does it just get dirty?
Yes, motor oil does break down. Oil additives are consumed & combustion by-products build up in the oil. Changing your motor oil on a consistent basis removes combustion by-products & replenishes the additives.
Does my vehicle's oil filter need to be changed with every oil change?
Alpha Oils recommends you replace the oil filter with every oil change, as this will eliminate any risk of contaminants trapped in the oil filter (e.g., dirt) from re-entering the new oil. Always be sure to follow the oil change frequency recommendations in your vehicle’s owners manual & to use an oil filter meeting automotive manufacturers’ guidelines.
Are conventional motor oils natural, unprocessed products?
The base oils used in conventional motor oils do come from petroleum, but they have gone through extensive refining processes. These base oils are compounded with various additives, which provide important properties such as anti-wear, friction reduction & long life.
Which Alpha Motor Oils help to conserve energy?
All Alpha Oils Motor Oils have been proven help to reduce fuel consumption.
How do I properly dispose of my used motor oil?
Alpha Oils can assist & collect your old oil for disposal. Ensure you store your used Motor Oil in a tightly sealed bottle or container.
PERFORMANCE
Can motor oil significantly improve horsepower?
Yes. Motor Oil formulas with friction modifiers & additives help to improve horsepower. Lower viscosity (lighter) Oils can improve horsepower providing that they separate moving parts & maintain engine durability. The optimum Oil viscosity for a given engine is specified by the automotive manufacturers.
Motor oils under “severe” conditions, what are "severe" conditions?
Severe conditions include stop & go driving, consistent idling, pulling, towing, dusty environments or high or low ambient temperatures.
If I don't drive in severe conditions can I change my oil less often?
Your owner's manual may provide different oil change intervals for both regular driving and severe driving.
Is it a good idea to let your car warm up (idle)?
Most modern cars do not require idling time before driving.
Can I improve motor oil performance in my vehicle by using after market additives?
Generally No. Most vehicle manufacturers do not endorse using after market additives. Certain additives may temporarily improve performance of older engines. (We recommend you check with the vehicle manufacturer before using any after market additive).
Are all additives the same?
No. Additives contain different formulations that affect certain parts of the engine differently than other additives.
RACING OIL
What are the benefits of using racing oil versus regular passenger car oil?
Alpha Oils RT Series & other racing oils are not intended for passenger vehicles which contain additional additives for increased horsepower & reduced friction on metal parts, as it provides extra wear protection for high compression/higher horsepower engines, & include fewer detergents than regular conventional motor oils.
What is motor oil with zinc?
The anti wear additive simply referred to as zinc by most car enthusiasts is actually short for Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphates or ZDDP. Its primary role is to prevent metal to metal contact between engine parts by forming a protective film. Despite being referred to as zinc, ZDDP also contains phosphorus, which helps to perform the anti wear function in the motor oil.
Why are zinc/phosphorus levels in motor oil lower in todays motor oils?
With ever increasing limits on emissions, automotive manufacturers have tightened emission control systems on newer vehicles. This is one of several factors considered when the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for Motor Oil with zinc. The current API standard is SN, which replaced the previous SM classification. Because phosphorus can poison a vehicle's emission system, the level of zinc is lower for current motor oil. Alpha Oils uses a new type of zinc/phosphorus that maintains the prior level of wear protection of the engine while reducing the impact on the emission system.
What is the controversy surrounding the amount of zinc in motor oil?
The controversy exists as a result of many hands on car enthusiasts & engine experts belief that lower levels of zinc in API SN & SM Motor Oils can cause excessive wear in older style push-rod & flat tappet engines. They hold this belief despite the fact that all new Motor Oil classifications are intended to be backward compatible.
What solutions does Alpha Oils offer to the zinc issue?
Alpha Oils offers two solutions to the zinc issue:
Alpha Oils Super Tech, Contains 75% higher zinc than SN or SM Motor Oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing & traditional applications. Alpha Oils provides this product in both multi & mono viscosity grades: 20W50, straight 50, 10W30, straight 30, straight 40 & straight 60.
Longer-Lasting Zinc/Phosphorus: Alpha Oils uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the Motor Oil where it protects the engine instead of poisoning the catalytic converter.
Which oil has more zinc/ZDDP: RT or Not Street Legal racing oil?
Alpha Oils RT Series Racing Oils contains .13 percent zinc and .12 percent phosphorus compared to the Alpha Oils "Not Street Legal" Racing Oil, which contains .14 percent zinc & .13 percent phosphorus.
Will an additive boost the zinc level?
Keep in mind that zinc additives are corrosive above certain levels & can harm your engine. Alpha Oils does not recommend using third party additives to boost the zinc level. If higher zinc levels are required for your engine, we recommend using Super Tech, & always remember to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Is Super Tech conventional oil synthetic or a blend?
Alpha Oils Super Tech Oil is Full Synthetic Oil.
MOTOR OIL MYTHS
There are quite a few myths pertaining to Motor Oil, recycled oils & synthetic oils. In order to help set things straight, all the common Motor Oil myths have been debunked.
OIL TYPES, WEIGHTS & VISCOSITY
Is it Ok to switch motor oil weights, for example, 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 motor oil viscosity grade. For best engine performance, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Is it Ok to use 5W30 in a car if the owner's manual calls for 5W20?
Alpha Oils does not recommend doing this. Using a heavier grade than recommended may cause decrease in fuel economy, higher engine loads & eventually shortened engine life. Using a lighter grade than recommended may result in excessive mechanical wear & reduced engine life. For maximum engine performance, follow the recommended motor oil viscosity & maintenance schedule provided in your vehicle's owner's manual.
What does the "W" in a grade of motor oil stand for?
The "W" in Motor Oil stands for winter. The first number in the oil classification refers to a cold weather viscosity. The lower this number is, the less viscous your Oil will be at low temperatures. For example, a 5W Motor Oil will flow better at lower temperatures than a 15W Motor Oil. The higher number, following the “W” refers to hot weather viscosity, or how fluid your oil is at hot temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker the oil at a specified temperature.
Is thicker oil better?
In some circumstances, thicker oil can be used to compensate for increased bearing clearances (gaps between bearing & rotating shaft) that have developed over the years. A large change in bearing clearances can result in poorer lubrication. For best performance always follow the recommendations for motor oil viscosity in your vehicle's owner's manual.
When does it make sense to use straight weight oil (SAE30) versus a multigrade oil (5W30)?
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 engines or older vehicles that were made before multi viscosity oils were produced.
Is switching types of Motor Oil (conventional, synthetic, etc.) harmful to a vehicle's engine?
Conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic & high mileage Motor Oils are compatible & will not harm your vehicle's engine. For maximum engine performance, follow the motor oil type recommendation provided in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Is it true that older cars must only use conventional oil?
No.
Do I have to wait until my car reaches high mileage before I can use Premium Extended Life” Motor Oil?
Alpha Oils Premium Extended Life Motor Oil is designed for high mileage vehicles of 85,000 km or more. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use the high mileage Motor Oil in new or used vehicles with less than 85,000 km.
Has "Premium Extended Life” always been a synthetic blend Motor Oil?
"Premium Extended Life” Motor Oil is actually the same product as regular “Extended Life”.
How do Alpha Oils Full Synthetic Motor Oils compare to the competitors?
Alpha Oils full synthetic Motor Oils meet & exceed the specifications as that of the competitors
Alpha Oils Full Synthetic Motor Oils are high performing, High Quality Oils formulated with full synthetic base oils & advanced additives to provide an increased level of performance. All of Alpha Oils full synthetic Motor Oils are API licensed & certified to ensure quality. We have specially designed Alpha Oils Advanced Full Synthetic for application in high performance European or Diesel passenger cars & this oil carries the specific OEM approvals such as Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche & BMW. Alpha Oils full synthetic Motor Oils are designed with extra levels of detergent & antioxidant to provide outstanding deposit & heat protection. Alpha Oils Semi & Full Synthetic Motor Oils exceed most specification in comparison.