Summer is for beach trips, backyard barbecues, and cranking the A/C. But just like your HVAC system has to work overtime to keep your home cool, so does your car’s engine. While you’re soaking up the sun, your vehicle is soaking up heat, and when it comes to protecting your engine in extreme temperatures, your motor oil is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. High temperatures cause engine oil in cars to thin out and break down faster, reducing its ability to lubricate, cool, and protect engine components effectively.
In this blog post we’ll explain more about how summer heat affects your car’s oil, what that means for your engine, and why staying on top of your oil changes is one of the smartest things you can do to keep your vehicle running strong.
What Hot Weather Does to Motor Oil
Motor oil isn’t just a lubricant. It’s a barrier that protects your engine’s moving parts, reduces friction, and carries away heat. However, as temperatures climb, oil can start to break down faster.
In extreme heat, oil can thin out, which means it doesn’t coat engine components as effectively. This is called a change in viscosity, which is the measure of how thick or thin your oil is. Thinner oil can’t always maintain the protective film your engine needs to stay cool and prevent wear. That’s a problem, especially if you’re driving in stop-and-go traffic, pulling a trailer or camper, or turning up the air conditioner every time you hit the road.
Why Viscosity Matters in Summer
Viscosity is the key to how oil performs under pressure. When you see numbers like 5W-30 or 10W-40 on your oil label, you’re looking at its viscosity rating. The first number refers to how the oil flows in colder weather, while the second shows how it performs in heat.
During summer, you need a motor oil that holds up when things get hot. If the oil is too thin, it won’t provide enough protection. If it’s too thick, it might not circulate quickly enough, especially when you first start your engine. That’s why it’s important to use the oil grade recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer—especially during seasonal changes.
Additionally, when oil thins out and starts to degrade, it stops doing its job effectively and can leave behind sludge and deposits, which clog up your system and force your engine to work harder. Over time, that can lead to bigger problems like poor fuel economy, reduced performance, and costly repairs.
At Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change, we carry high-quality oils that are formulated to perform even in the hottest conditions. Whether you’re hitting the highway or idling through town, the right oil will help keep your engine running cooler and longer.
Keep Your Engine Cool, All Summer Long
Your engine is counting on your oil to keep it cool, clean, and protected—especially when the temperatures outside are climbing into the triple digits. If you’re not sure when your last oil change was, there’s no better time than now to get it done. At Strickland Brothers, we make oil changes quick, easy, and reliable. No appointment needed!
Swing by your nearest Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change location and let us help you keep your vehicle running strong all season long. Save on your next oil change service with a Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change coupon!
