
Motor oil is a lubricant used in internal combustion engines, which power cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, engine-generators, and many other machines. This meant fewer gummed up valves and corroded cylinders.

He made his breakthrough when he developed an oil that worked effectively at high temperatures. He eventually abandoned the medical practice to devote his time to the development of an all-petroleum, high- viscosity lubricant for steam engines – which at the time were using inefficient combinations of petroleum and animal and vegetable fats. Ellis was disappointed to find no real medicinal value, but was intrigued by its potential lubricating properties. While studying the possible healing powers of crude oil, Dr.

On 6 September 1866, American John Ellis founded the Continuous Oil Refining Company. Motor oils are blended using base oils composed of petroleum-based hydrocarbons, polyalphaolefins (PAO), or their mixtures in various proportions, sometimes with up to 20% by weight of esters for better dissolution of additives. Motor oil may be composed of only a lubricant base stock in the case of non- detergent oil, or a lubricant base stock plus additives to improve the oil's detergency, extreme pressure performance, and ability to inhibit corrosion of engine parts.

In addition to the aforementioned basic constituents, almost all lubricating oils contain corrosion and oxidation inhibitors. It also neutralizes acids that originate from fuel and from oxidation of the lubricant (detergents), improves the sealing of piston rings, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts. The main function of motor oil is to reduce friction and wear on moving parts and to clean the engine from sludge (one of the functions of dispersants) and varnish (detergents).

They typically consist of base oils enhanced with various additives, particularly antiwear additives, detergents, dispersants, and, for multi-grade oils, viscosity index improvers. Motor oil, engine oil, or engine lubricant is any one of various substances used for the lubrication of internal combustion engines. Pouring fresh motor oil into an engine Different brands of bottled motor oil at a store Not to be confused with fuel oils used as motor fuel.
