What does engine oil do?

Oil is one of the fluids that the engine needs to support the engine's performance and durability. Some are made from minerals, synthetics, and a mixture of minerals and synthetics. This fluid is put into the engine at a certain amount, depending on the engine capacity and needs.

All engine oils have the same basic function: to lubricate the rubbing and rotating parts of the engine to avoid wear and tear on these components. However, did you know that engine oil does not only function as a lubricant?

Yes, engine oil has at least 5 important functions to keep the engine running properly and optimally. So what are the functions of the engine oil? Check out the info in the following explanation:

1. As lubricants

The first function of engine oil is that it functions as a lubricant. The function of this lubricant aims to reduce frictional forces on two moving and interlocking workpieces. For example, engine oil, which functions as a lubricant, will be circulated to each component in the engine by the oil pump when the engine is turned on.

The engine oil will then enter and pass through the parts in the engine that move and rub against each other. At the same time, the engine oil will form a film layer to lubricate these components. That way, the components inside the engine are protected from damage and wear.

2. As a cleaner

Engine oil that has been filtered by the oil filter will be pumped and circulated to other engine parts, for example, in the main gallery, cylinder walls, cylinder heads, valves, and so on.

If the components contain dirt, such as metal particles and/or combustion residue, the engine oil will carry and clean the dirt to the oil reservoir (oil crankcase). That way, every component that the engine oil passes through will be clean again because any dirt that sticks will be carried by the engine oil to be filtered again.

For this reason, the engine oil needs to be replaced periodically due to quality degradation caused by a mixture of combustion impurities and metal particles.

3. As heat absorbers

The combustion process in the combustion chamber will produce a very high heat temperature. If not damp, the hot temperature arising from this combustion can damage engine components. Therefore, the engine oil will also function as a heat absorber.

This heat absorption process occurs because engine oil is always made to circulate, where during this circulation, the engine oil will experience a decrease in temperature. Even in some vehicles, an oil cooler system functions, add to lower the engine oil temperature so that the heat absorption function becomes more leverage.

That way, the heat that occurs in each component can be absorbed properly to prevent excessive wear and damage to the engine.

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4. To seal and close the gap

Another function of engine oil that we know of is that it will act as a sealer. Inside the engine, the oil will circulate and stick to the walls of the engine. At the same time, the oil will form a thin layer in every component in its path. This thin layer of engine oil will close the gap between two moving objects.

There will always be a gap between the engine block and the piston ring. If this gap is left, it will leak the compression pressure so that the engine's power is not optimal.

Therefore, the engine oil will function to coat the gap with liquid so that the existing gaps can be coated and then closed and become tight. As a result, compression does not leak, and the power generated will be maximized.

5. To prevent corrosion

Engine oil circulating in the engine will also prevent corrosion/rust on engine components. The coating produced from engine oil will cover the engine's metal surface from air and water directly so that it can prevent the metal from being spared from chemical processes that can cause rust.