Author: George Washington

• Synthetic Blend Oil Change (Up to 4 Quarts)
• Full Synthetic Oil Change (Up to 4 Quarts)

Motor-Oil Viscosity: A Slippery Subject

The oil viscosity your car needs is usually determined by your car’s manufacturer, but is there ever a reason to switch? Groupon sought out the answer.

Whenever a vehicle is in motion, engine oil has a lot of work to do: reducing friction between moving parts, keeping the engine from overheating, preventing components from prematurely wearing down. But there are many things that can keep oil from staying on top of its workload, and that’s where viscosity comes into play. Factors such as varying starting and running temperatures, an aging car, or heavy loads on board can all affect how motor oil performs. Fortunately, auto manufacturers specify what viscosity level is best for their vehicles, so most drivers never have to spend much time pondering this subject. But for those who are interested or who have to make elevator conversation with a talking car, there are a few basic principles to consider.

Like most liquids, when oil is cooler it’s more viscous (that is, slower-flowing), and when it’s warmer it’s less viscous. Higher-viscosity oils are most appropriate for cars that operate at higher temperatures or carry heavier loads. Lower-viscosity oils work better at lower temperatures since they don’t need to be heated to flow, but they generally offer less protection against wear.

There was a time when people who live in four-season climates would use one oil with a higher viscosity during the warm months and another during the cold months, but multi-grade motor oils solve that problem by working efficiently in both conditions. When you see a viscosity grade on a bottle of multi-grade motor oil—say, 10W-30—there are two numbers to consider. The number preceding the W stands for “winter” or “woolen-underwear season,” which reflects how the oil flows when starting an engine on a cold day. The number after the hyphen is the viscosity at 210°F, the standard temperature of an operating engine. (On both sides of the hyphen, a higher number means a higher viscosity.) What makes this type of oil so flexible? It’s the polymers—particles that expand as the oil heats up and slow down the rate at which the oil thins as it gets hotter.

Choose Between Two Options

• $22 for a conventional oil change ($39.95 value)
• $52 for a synthetic oil change ($89.95 value)

Locations

• Bloomington: 905 IAA Drive
• Bridgeview: 8333 Harlem Ave
• Chicago: 158 W Grand Ave
• Chicago: 510 W Roosevelt Rd
• Chicago: 8245 S Cicero Ave
• Crestwood: 14224 South Cicero Ave
• Oaklawn: 11009 South Cicero Ave
• Orland: 14810 South La Grange Rd
• Palos Hills: 11108 Southwest Highway
• Pekin: 1804 Court St
• Tinley Park: 7011 W 159th St

Choose Between Two Options

• $39 for three vouchers, each valid for one Supreme Service Wash and Poly-Sealant Wax ($81 value)
• $60 for five vouchers, each valid for one Supreme Service Wash and Poly-Sealant Wax ($135 value)

Supreme Service Wash and Poly-Sealant Wax includes the following services: wash with a foaming soap and dry with slightly damp towels (dry towels create hazing on exterior), clean wheels and rims, apply poly-sealant to the exterior of vehicle, all interior glass cleaned, vacuum interior and trunk, wipe down interior, wipe down all door and trunk jambs, tire dressing and air freshener, and blow out water from the exterior crevices and mirrors.

About Pilsen & Eighteenth Street Development Corp

The Eighteenth Street Development Corp (ESDC) promotes the diverse collection of businesses in Chicago’s vibrant Pilsen neighborhood. Pilsen is known for its outstanding lineup of Mexican restaurants, three Michelin Bib Gourmand award winners, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and Thalia Hall, a 19th-century music venue. But many visit the neighborhood solely to see its dozens of vibrant murals, which have expressed the community’s Mexican-American spirit since the 1960s. Annual events include Mole de Mayo, the Tacos y Tamales Festival, and Pilsen Fest.

Check out the ¡Bienvenidos a Pilsen! Collection Here