Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Re-refined oil basics

We all know that we are intended to change the oil in our cars regularly, but other than natural or synthetic, most individuals do not typically think about what oil goes in or comes out. Re-processed oil is engine lubricant that is what it sounds like — used oil that has been re-refined for reuse. How exactly is re-refined oil made, and is it safe for use inside your car?

Source for this article: The basics of re-refined oil

The re-refining oil process

Petroleum oil does not wear out. It gets dirty instead. The additives in the oil wear out. Used motor oil is re-refined the exact same way as crude oil. The oil is cleaned, refined and then is re-blended with additives to create a product that is comparable to lubricants created with crude oil.

Your re-manufactured oil needs to be approved

Although it is safe, you need to take some precautions. Make sure that the re-refined oil being used is American Petroleum Institute approved. API-approved oil is generally required under warranty protections, for one thing. API approved oil has also undergone stringent testing requirements that make certain it does what it is designed to. Whether re-refined or not, you will need oil that is API approved. If you use a quick-lube service, check with them that they are using API approved oil, re-refined or not.

The benefits of re-refined oil

Your engine can be lubricated by re-refined motor oil. Used motor oil is considered a toxic waste, and is typically disposed of in a variety of ways. Re-refining oil helps create a closed-loop system, where the nonrenewable resource of oil is constantly re-used. A gallon of used motor oil creates 2.5 quarts of re-refined oil. The byproducts are usually used to power re-refining plants and create asphalt roof shingles. If all motor oil in the United States was re-refined, there would be enough recycled oil to maintain about 8 million vehicles each single year.



No comments: