When temperatures drop, you may worry about icy roads and having to scrape a frozen wind screen, however, your engine oil also feels the cold.

Morley Auto Services see more cold-related engine problems than you might expect and many of them come down to how oil behaves in winter. To prevent these issues, you need to make sure your oil is in good condition to allow smooth, reliable running.

Cold weather thickens your oil, changing its viscosity. In warm conditions, oil flows easily but when it’s cold, it thickens like honey. This matters because your oil pump has to push the thicker oil around the engine. The colder it is, the harder the pump has to work. This change means;

• Your oil is slower to lubricate the engine on startup
• There’s more friction between engine parts
• Higher wear and tear
• Increased strain on the battery and starter motor

This is why winter breakdowns are so common.

Most engine wear happens in the first few seconds after starting the car, before the oil has warmed up and circulated properly. Without fast-moving oil, key components have less protection. Over time, this can lead to reduced performance, noisy running, and the need for repairs.

Modern oils are designed for UK winters, but the oil needs to be changed in time.

Oils are engineered to cope with a wide range of temperatures, which is where multi-grade ratings come in, but the condition of even the best oil breaks down with use. Old or contaminated oil thickens even more in winter, making cold starts harder and protection weaker, which is why regular oil changes are especially important heading into the colder months.

Book an oil change

At Morley, we use the manufacturer-approved oils for your vehicle and check for issues that are more common in winter. A quick winter service can save you a lot of hassle and prevent expensive engine problems down the road. Cold weather affects every part of your vehicle, but engine oil plays one of the most important roles in keeping everything running smoothly.

If you’re unsure whether your oil is winter-ready, give us a call we’re always happy to help keep you safely on the road this winter.