Scientists have gotten oil all the way down to a science. Relying on the applying, engine oil can have completely completely different formulation, weights, and components, blended and matched to ship essentially the most effectivity, longevity, or efficiency. That is why it is best to solely use the oil your engine was designed to make use of, even when a greater oil exists.

Lake Pace Jr. of The Motor Oil Geek YouTube channel explains why in a video, exhibiting the wear and tear results between three various kinds of oil. He explains that whereas a racing oil like Valvoline’s VR-1 would possibly nonetheless have all the right properties to match (and even exceed) the factory-recommended oil, it is nonetheless not good to run it over the identical interval.

All trendy artificial motor oil has a specific amount of antioxidants, or high-temperature stabilizing components. This enables the oil to remain efficient over a time frame with out going unhealthy from use or age. Road automobile oils have much more of those components, making them viable for 10,000- or 15,000-mile oil change intervals. Pace Jr. says racing oils do not have almost the identical quantity, which means they will not final as lengthy.

That is not an issue for racing purposes, because the oil in competitors motors is modified with much more frequency. However in the event you go away a racing oil in your avenue automobile for 10,000 miles, you may really topic your engine to extra put on—even when the oil is higher-quality.

Pace Jr. likens racing oil to racing tires. Tires meant for racing have a softer compound, permitting them to ship extra grip. However the softer compound wears far faster than, say, a more durable, extra lasting avenue tire with actual tread.

So subsequent time you think about swapping out your oil for the costly race-specific stuff, take into consideration your use case first. It would prevent some costly put on and tear.