Top 5 Tips to Preserve Your Engine on Nigerian Roads
It is the desire of most prospective and current Nigerian car owners to ensure that their car’s engine is always in pristine working condition at all times, to avoid the risk of the astronomical cost (in most cases) of engine replacement or repair.


All vehicle manufacturers design and manufacture their engines to run for at least 300,000 kilometers with little or no problems. However, this is subject to complying with engine maintenance best practices which are outlined below:

Engine oil grade
Your engine has been designed to run on specific lubricating oils that possess specific viscosity and properties in order to assure optimum engine performance, good fuel economy and minimal engine wear. When this is not respected (like using the usual 20W-50 engine oil), the result is accelerated engine wear. This of course is not immediate but will become evident over a long time. Please note that after prolonged use of such non-recommended oils, returning back to factory spec may cause more harm than good(e.g. increased oil consumption).

Frequency of oil change
If the right oil is used, then how often should I change it? Although your car manual may tell you how you should go about it, it is also good to establish your own timing on how it should be performed. Mineral oils may need to be changed more frequently (usually 5000 kilometers), synthetic oil may be done at less frequent intervals. Most modern cars are equipped with maintenance required warning lights. If yours is equipped with one, always reset it after every oil change.

Quality of fuel used
Yep. You heard me right. This is equally important. It is good to know the fuel octane rating your car requires for it to run properly and without problems. In Nigeria, the only available gasoline (Petrol) has a RON of 87-89. This is not a problem for most passenger cars on our roads, but for luxury and high end performance cars that require (not recommend) Premium gasoline (with RON of 91 and above), there will be a problem with pre-ignition (spark knock) and over a long period, will result to engine damage, except if an octane booster is used. As a potential car owner, it is necessary you know the fuel requirement of the car before you purchase it to avoid high running cost of long term engine damage.

Use of water as coolant/use of non-specified coolant
This is another silent killer of engines, which many people are ignorant of. Your car engine is designed to run on specific engine coolant which assures optimum engine temperature and longevity of the materials used in the engine’s construction. Using water that is not distilled (tap water) will over time cause calcified deposits within your engine and radiator and will ultimately kill your water pump, causing overheating and expensive engine repair or replacement.

Removal of your Thermostat and running your radiator fans direct
Your car’s engine is designed to run most efficiently when hot, and needs to get hot quickly, usually within 2 minutes. Removing your thermostat and running your fans direct will deny your engine that right, which will cause an increase in fuel consumption and dilute your engine oil with fuel over time, which over time will cause engine damage. If you ever experience an overheating problem, it is advisable you do not drive the car. Do not attempt to modify the cooling system. Get it fixed by a professional mechanic.

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http://mymotorguru.com/5-tips-preserve-engine-nigerian-roads/#more-81

Thanks MotorGuru. Most of us just let the mechanic pour whatever oil without verification.

Interesting piece

bulletproofmonk:
Thanks MotorGuru. Most of us just let the mechanic pour whatever oil without verification.

Thank you sir