There is much speculation that hybrid car engines do not need regular oil changes. This arises because it is suspected that the gasoline engine rarely operates as long as the hybrid battery power is still safe, so there is an assumption that regular engine oil changes are not necessary. Is this true?
In fact, hybrid car engines also need maintenance including regular engine oil changes. This is because the quality of the oil in the engine can be contaminated which makes its quality decrease.
If you do not change the oil regularly, the chemical compound structure of the engine oil will definitely change and its ability to perform its duties will decrease. Because it cannot work optimally in protecting engine components, friction will increase and leave a lot of dirt, aka residue. Dirt will hinder engine performance and the components inside are damaged. Excessive residue also affects the engine oil pump and filter and even clogs.
It is best not to leave the engine oil unchanged even if the car is rarely used. In time, the chemical compounds in the engine oil will undergo changes due to the oxidation process. The water content due to oxidation in engine oil will increase to a dangerous level if left unchanged.
Once the engine is started, the water contamination will damage the oil formula and its capabilities will drop. As a result, the car engine has problems as the lubricant fails to protect the engine components. The engine room also has the potential to develop rust that will spread to various hybrid engine components.
Therefore, even though the gasoline engine in a hybrid car rarely operates due to the higher efficiency of the battery and electric motor, it still requires an engine oil change every 6 months or 10 thousand km, depending on which one is reached first.
Car owners should also check the viscosity index of the liquid in the engine oil. There is usually an oil specification code on the car engine that says 0W-20, 0W-40, 10W-40, 20W-50 and so on. Adjust it to the needs of the engine so that the driving heart continues to work optimally.
Source : cnnindonesia.com/otomotif
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