Engine oils Price Hike!
Table of Contents
Engine oils Price Hike!
Engine oils’ price hike!
So, for a few days of the week, then I go into my office/reception in my Halifax garage. Nowadays, I don’t do very much. Mainly keeping an eye on the phones and chatting to my staff. Most of my staff are young, and we can have a laugh and a joke.
I also listen into conversations and many a time can pick up some knowledge to use in my blogs. Last week was no exception. So, the conversation turned into the massive increase in the price of oil used in car servicing.
In the old days most cars would use the same engine oil. As a young mechanic then, I can remember putting the “Castrol GTX oil” in almost every car engine requiring an oil change in the service schedule.
Now, when it comes to using the right type of engine oil, you need to consider several important things. In this article, we have discussed 5 important things that can indeed help you go for the right type of oil for your car engine. This is for the DIY motorist of course. We will look online to see what any particular car’s oil choice should be.
Because of environmental policies, car manufacturers have had to develop different types of oils to work in different cars. Now many of the oils made are synthetic oils and manmade. It is important, therefore, that you are choosing the right type of oil. Or you can have a negative impact on the performance of your car. Possibly blowing up the engine altogether.
Importantly, apart from this, it can also reduce the life of the engine or even ruin the engine altogether.
Therefore, it is extremely important to always use the right type of oil. Read on to find out more. Here at Pellon Auto Centre we only use the most up-to-date information from a leading automotive information website.
- Car series and manufacturer
So, if you are looking up the oil recommendations for your car, you should know the make and model of your car. Because we are professionals, we are able to enter the car’s registration number to get a more accurate specification of the oil we should be using.
- Driving environment
You should also consider your driving environment when making a choice. For instance, you may have a hot or cold climate. Similarly, road conditions may vary. You may have to drive on paved or unpaved roads on a regular basis.
Based on these factors, your car engine will have to tolerate different levels of strain. If you drive on unpaved roads, you will have to change engine oil more frequently. Some types of oils are designed to reduce the strain on your engine.
- Engine oils Price Hike – Types of oil
After you have considered the make and model of your car engine, you can go for either a mineral or synthetic oil. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, synthetic oils cost more money but may last longer.
- Viscosity grade
If you compare different products, you will find different codes and letters written on the labels. However, it is becoming more and more complicated for the regular DIYer and more expensive.
Different grades and viscosity- Engine oils Price Hike
These numbers tell you about the viscosity grade and the resistance of the oil to flow. Now, this is an extremely important factor to consider after driving and climate conditions.
The letter “W” refers to winter. In other words, it tells you how the oil will perform in cold weather. The second number tells you about the flow of the oil at normal operating temperatures.
Normally, low-viscosity oils are thinner and provide greater protection for your engine in cold weather. On the other hand, high-viscosity oils offer greater protection in hot weather. Therefore, it is important to get familiar with the viscosity grade of the oil before making your purchase.
Shock of rising engine oil pricing – Engine oils Price Hike
The shock came when I was told about the massive rise in costs with the engine oils’ price hike we use to service your cars and vans. Not too long back, we could buy a barrel of oils for £95; let’s say we bought four barrels. Now the price has shot up to £450 a barrel.
How silly is this!
The most popular oil we buy in barrels is the 5W30 oil. The other variations are bought in smaller-quantity plastic barrels for storage convenience. After the price shock I decide to have a shop around for the best price.
So, now we buy our oils from a local company that started in oil back in the 1800s when oil was used in the great textile mills of West Yorkshire. Then known as “Squire Radcliffe’s” and now use the name of “SARS Lubricants” Ltd. With nearly 200 years’ experience in oil quality.
I have recently heard that there is yet another engine oil price hike in the offering! Oil-producing Arab countries are lining up with Russia against the West’s climate change programme. So, depleting the amount of oil they will have to buy.
Why World Events Can Affect Engine Oil Prices: Engine oils Price Hike!
Many motorists are surprised when the price of an oil change suddenly increases. They often think that engine oil is simply a garage consumable and that prices should remain fairly stable. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Engine oil begins its life as a product of the petroleum industry. Although many modern oils are highly refined and contain synthetic additives, the price of crude oil still has a major influence on the final cost.
As I write this article, the world’s attention is once again focused on tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran. Whenever conflict threatens oil-producing regions, the financial markets become nervous, and oil prices can quickly rise.
One area that is frequently mentioned in the news is the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow shipping route is used to transport a significant proportion of the world’s oil supplies. Any disruption to shipping in this region can have a knock-on effect on fuel prices, transport costs and, eventually, the price of products made from petroleum, including engine oils.
Of course, nobody can predict exactly what will happen in world politics. However, history has shown us many times that uncertainty in oil-producing regions can lead to higher prices for motorists and businesses alike.
Modern engine oils are highly specialised. Engine oils Price Hike!
Another reason for rising prices is that today’s engine oils are far more advanced than the oils many of us remember from years gone by.
Back when I first started in the motor trade, most vehicles could happily run on a fairly limited range of engine oils. Things were much simpler. Nowadays, modern engines are fitted with turbochargers, particulate filters, start-stop systems and complex emission control equipment.
As a result, manufacturers often specify unique oil formulations designed specifically for their engines. Some oils contain special additives to protect timing chains, while others are designed to work alongside diesel particulate filters or reduce fuel consumption.
The research, development and testing required to produce these oils comes at a cost, which is reflected in the price paid by garages and motorists.
Why Cheap Oil Can Be a False Economy
Every now and then we hear stories of people buying the cheapest oil they can find online and using it regardless of the manufacturer’s recommendation.
In some cases they may get away with it. In others, it can prove to be a very expensive mistake.
Using the wrong oil can cause excessive engine wear, poor lubrication, increased fuel consumption and, in extreme cases, serious engine damage. Modern engines are built to extremely tight tolerances and rely on the correct oil specification to operate properly.
That is why, here at Pellon Autocentre in Halifax, we always use the correct manufacturer-approved oil for the vehicle we are servicing. It may cost slightly more than a generic alternative, but it helps ensure reliability and protects the customer’s investment.
Looking Ahead: Engine oils Price Hike!
Nobody likes paying more for vehicle maintenance, and garages certainly don’t enjoy passing on price increases to customers. However, rising raw material costs, increasingly sophisticated oil technology and global events all play their part in determining the price of engine oil.
The good news is that regular servicing with the correct oil remains one of the cheapest ways to extend the life of your engine. Spending a little on the right oil today could save thousands of pounds in repair bills further down the road.
As we often say at Pellon Autocentre, clean oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Looking after it properly is one of the smartest investments any motorist can make.