When you think of hot rod oil, you probably don’t think of high-performance cars. Well, let us be the first to tell you that hot rod oil is an excellent lubricant for performance cars.
When used in high-performance vehicles, reducing friction and heat are just two things that hot rod oils can do. Hot rod oils are typically light oils with additives like graphite or silicon to reduce friction and prevent oxidation.
These oils are not recommended for everyday driving because they will break down faster if exposed to excess fuel, humidity, and exhaust fumes. However, if you have a high-performance ride like a Camaro ZL1 or Mustang GT350, then using this type of oil is the perfect complement to your car’s engine.
What is Hot Rod Oil?
Hot rod oil is a mixture of synthetic oil and additives designed to reduce friction and resist heat. The name comes from the fact that this type of oil is often used in hot rod engines because they need help with energy dissipation.
Adding anti-corrosion additives like silicon and graphite help prevent engine wear and prolong the engine’s life. Hot rod oils are typically light, which means they are good for all-around driving and high-performance cars and trucks like Mustangs, Camaros, Mustangs, Vipers, Dodge Challengers and others.
Why Use Hot Rod Oil?
With proper maintenance, regular 5W-30 oil can last up to 7,500 miles. But in high-performance cars like Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers, it may need to be changed every few thousand miles. This is because friction and heat can wear down the oil faster.
However, if you use a hot rod oil instead of a regular 5W-30 synthetic oil, you can extend the life of your engine’s motor oil by an average of three times. The graphite and silicon additives in this type of oil provide extra protection against friction and heat.
What to Look for When Buying Hot Rod Oil
Hot rod oils come in various viscosities (thickness, i.e. the oil’s resistance to flow). A good hot rod oil should be between 0W-30 and 5W-30, with a viscosity around 6,000 cP, or Centistokes.
Note: Hot rod oils usually come in 0W-30 and 5W-30 as well as other viscosities like 5W-50 and 10W-30. You can use the above-recommended viscosity, or a thicker one, if you wish. For example, if you were to use 5W-30 oil in a high-performance car and you needed more cooling protection (i.e. less heat), then 5W-50 would be an acceptable alternative.
The key is to check your owner’s manual for your vehicle and see what type of oil it recommends first. Also, most manufacturers (including GM) recommend changing the oil after 3,000 miles for the best protection and performance.
Conclusion
Using a hot rod oil is a great idea if you have a high-performance car or truck. This type of oil is specially designed to work in high-performance, high-stress applications. This oil can reduce friction, which will help your engine last longer and run cooler.
