Racing oils are not made the same because each oil needs to provide different protection. This post will help you understand some of the differences between racing oils.

Racing Oils Are All Different

Oils are all different, synthetic and conventional oil, racing and motor oil, motorcycle and car oil, they all provide different levels of protection to their respective engines. If you expect your vehicle to perform at its best and extend its life expectancy, you need to provide the right lubrication. When it comes to racing vehicles, you need to pay close attention to which oil you choose. No two racing oils are the same, different races have different needs. Here is a short guide to choosing the right racing oil for your next race in San Pedro.

The Viscosity Index

Oils have different viscosity levels, which means some oils are thick and others are thin. The lower the viscosity number, the thinner the oil will be. Thin oil is runnier, unlike thicker oil which has more resistance to flow. Oil starts to get thinner as the temperature rise. For regular street cars, an oil with a low viscosity index is the way to go, since those engines don’t reach extreme temperatures on a daily basis. It’s not a problem if you choose an oil with a different viscosity number than recommended for your everyday vehicle. Racing oil, on the other hand, needs to be chosen with much more care. A slight difference in the recommended thickness can reduce your engine’s performance and make you lose the race. A very low viscosity oil can increase friction and cause the engine to overheat, while an overly thick oil can increase drag. When choosing your oil viscosity, you need to consider what type of race you’ll be competing in. For short races such as drag racing, where the engine doesn’t have enough time to reach scorching temperatures, a thin oil option is the way to go. A thin oil will start flowing fast, whereas a thick oil needs more time before it begins to flow. Longer races, where the engine will get extremely hot require a thicker oil. There’s also the option of getting a multi-viscosity oil, which will bring protection against cold starts and provide lubrication during high and standard operating temperatures. It might seem easier to purchase multi-viscosity oil just to save yourself the drama, but you still need to learn about your vehicle’s viscosity needs. AMSOIL Synthetic Oil has an excellent racing line, where you will find both drag racing oil and circle racing oil. Next time you need to change your oil, try AMSOIL’s DOMINATOR® 5W-20 Racing Oil if your engine needs added horsepower and protection against extreme heat. As for your regular engine, their Signature Series 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil will do just fine. Take some time to explore AMSOIL’s online store or call San Pedro Synthetics at (707) 567-7509 to place your order.

The Additive Packages

Every oil is fortified with a different additive package to provide additional benefits.  You can find additives for almost everything: to clean your engine, reduce strain, provide increased protection, and boost horsepower. Every oil manufacturer has a different formula, but the additives are more or less the same only they come in different quantities. You’ll find that both drag racing oil and regular street oil both have the same types of additives, including one known as ZDDP (zinc), but the amounts are different. Racing oils have higher quantities of ZDDP, more than it’s legally allowed in regular street oil. The ZDDP can affect the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. Racing engines aren’t that affected by zinc because the oil needs to be changed with more frequency. Before choosing your drag racing oil, take some time to learn about the additive package included in the mix.

Evaporation and High Temperatures

Temperature changes significantly affect the oil’s thickness, but that is not the only way in which heat can affect the oil. Extremely high temperatures can also cause the oil to evaporate. Though this isn’t usually the case with synthetic oil, it’s more likely to happen if you’re using mineral oil. The lower oil level can reduce your racing vehicle’s performance. You can’t afford to lose oil when you’re in the middle of a race. By getting an AMSOIL Synthetic Oil change, you can forget about ever losing oil due to evaporation.

Choose the Correct Racing Oil for Your Next Race in San Pedro

You need to change your racing oil with more frequency due to the higher temperatures and zinc levels. So next time you need to get your new oil for your next race, make sure to get AMSOIL Synthetic Oil. They’ve got an oil option for every type of race. Do you need drag racing oil? They’ve got it. Circle racing? They’ve got it too. Get your supplies from their online store or by calling San Pedro Synthetics at (707) 567-7509. ;