Tips For Winterizing Your Vehicle - Tip #3

Oil lubricates the metal surfaces of your engine and stops them from grinding together. The thickness -- formally known as viscosity -- of the oil affects engine performance. If too thick, it will flow too slowly between parts and your engine will get too hot. Oil thickens in cold temperatures, but you can overcome this problem by filling your engine with an oil of a lower viscosity. Your owner's manual or service technician can let you know the ideal type of oil to use, and might specifically suggest a thinner oil type depending on the season. Remember, follow your technician's recommendations on when to change the oil.