frequently asked questions
- Can Motor Oil significantly improve horsepower?
Using the right motor oil can improve horsepower and engine performance. Synthetic oils offer improved performance capabilities over their mineral-based counterparts. Synthetic oils reduce the internal drag, which in turn reduces the friction between molecules. Less friction equates to increased power out put to the wheels. Synthetic oils also give the finished product enhanced wear protection and superior film strength to prevent wear in high-performance engines. - Which motor oil is better for“severe” conditions, what are “severe” conditions?
Synthetic motor oils are better suited for sever driving conditions.Factors describing severe driving conditions include vehicles making short trips, less than four miles, especially in cold weather; frequent idling like that in stop and go traffic; long highway driving trips; towing of accessories; driving in dusty/dirty environments. - If I don’t drive in severe conditions, can I change my oil less often?
Always follow your vehicles owners’ manual for the recommended oil change intervals. - Is it a good idea to let your car warm up (idle)?
Typically, when using multi-grade engine oils, the vehicle will only need to idle for the time it takes to put on your seatbelt – approximately 30 seconds. An engine will warm up quicker while driving as compared to sitting and idling. While warming up the engine, do not accelerate aggressively until the engine is fully warmed up. The engine’s thermostat will advise when the engine is at temperature. - Can I improve motor oil performance in my vehicle by using aftermarket additives?
Our Wolf’s Head Motor Oils are fully formulated, finished products which have the optimal balance of performance additives. Therefore, the use of aftermarket additives is not recommended. - Are all additives used in engine oil the same?
There are many different types of additives that perform different functions. Below are some of the different performance additives and the imparting properties they provide to a finished lubricant.
- Is it safe to switch the viscosity grade of my motor oil, for example, from a 5W-20 to a 10W-30, or vice versa?
Always refer to the vehicle’s owners’ manual before implementing any changes to the oil’s viscosity. When switching viscosity grades, the rule of thumb is to only use an oil one viscosity grade higher or lower than what’s recommended for your engine. Following this rule will not typically cause any harm to the engine. To alleviate any concern with engine performance and the vehicle’s warranty, we recommended you use the viscosity grades recommended in your owner’s manual. - What does the “W” in a grade of motor oil stand for?
The “W” in an SAE 5W-30 stands for Winter. The “xW” represents the low-temperature characteristics of an oil, while the non-W grade represents the viscosity at operating temperatures. The lower the W-grade, the better the oil pumps and flows at cold temperatures. The “W” grades are defined by the ColdCrank Simulator (CCS) and Mini-Rotary Viscometric (MRV) test. The Cold Crank test is used to determine if the oil will allow the crankshaft to turn over fast enough for the engine to start. The Mini-Rotary test measures the pump-ability of the oil at low temperatures. - Is thicker oil better?
While thicker oils impart a stronger film strength, remember that the oil needs to pass through very tight tolerances. If the oil is too thick, it may not flow fast enough and could starve the engine of oil. This increases wear at start-up, wastes energy pumping, reduces fuel efficiency, and can cause the oil to lose its ability to transfer heat. An increase in operating temperature can lead to a chemical breakdown and cause harmful sludge and deposits to form. - When does it make sense to straight weight oil (SAE 30) versus a multigrade oil (5W-30)?
There is no general rule of thumb for this. Follow the OEM guidelines on recommended oil to use. - Can I switch from conventional to synthetic motor oils, or vice versa, without harming the engine of my vehicle?
Switching types of motor oil is not harmful to a vehicle’s engine if the oil is of an acceptable viscosity grade for that engine. When using full synthetic oils, we recommend only using that type of oil to optimize the product’s benefits. - Is it true that older cars must only use conventional oil?
This is a myth originating back to the 1970s when certain chemical compounds in early synthetic oils caused engine seals to shrink, and in some cases, caused leaks. Today, synthetic oils are tested for elastomer/seal compatibility and must pass to gain API and OEM approvals. - How does the Wolf’s Head full synthetic motor oil compare to other brands in the industry?
Wolf’s Head stands behind its products and believes that the performance of our oil is equivalent to any high-end product in the marketplace.
- Is recycling my used motor oil better for the environment?
Recycling and repurposing used motor oil is the preferred method of disposal and provides many environmental benefits. Used oils contain a range of hazardous materials such as fuel, soot deposits, heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals. These recycled used oils can be re-refined and used to make new petroleum products. Oils improperly dumped can end up polluting soil and waterways, negatively affecting the environment.
- I had my vehicle’s transmission fluid changed using Wolf’s Head UniversalSynthetic ATF. Conventional transmission fluid was used for all previous changes. Will this cause a problem?
The Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid was tested for compatibility with other conventional type automatic transmission fluids. Data gathered during field testing shows that mixing out UniversalSynthetic Fluid with conventional type automatic transmission fluids, in either a complete fluid exchange or as a top-off, has no adverse consequences to the transmission performance or life. - What is the difference between DEXRON III/Mercon and Type F transmission fluid?
The main difference between the two fluids is their frictional characteristics. The Dexron III-H/M is formulated with friction modifiers, whereas the Type F does not contain any in its formulation. - Does Wolf’s Head make a synthetic ATF?
Wolf’s Head offers a broad range of synthetic automatic transmission fluids formulated to specifically exceed various OEM performance requirements, such as, the Universal Synthetic ATF which can be used in a wide range of transmissions and the Universal Synthetic CVT fluid for us in both chain and belt-driven continuously variable transmissions. Additionally, Wolf’s Head offers a line of OEM licensed full synthetic fluids like the Wolf’s Head General Motors Dexron® VI Transmission Fluid.
*Always refer to the vehicle’s owners’ manual for specific fluid recommendation. - Can the Wolf’s Head USATF be used in Continuously Variable Transmissions?
The Wolf’s Head Universal SyntheticAutomatic Transmission Fluid should not be used in Continuously VariableTransmission Systems. Wolf’s Head offers a dedicated CVT fluid that covers both belt- and chain-type CVT transmission used in the automotive industry today.For specific questions on our transmission fluids, contact your regional sales manager or Wolf’s Head Technical Services. - What applications are covered by the Wolf’s Head Universal Line of transmission fluids?
Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic AutomaticTransmission Fluid
For the full list of product applications. Click on the link here: TDS
Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Fluid
For the full list of product applications. Click on the link here: TDS
- What applications are covered by the Wolf’s Head Universal Line of transmission fluids?
ZF 8 & 9 Speed ATF
Wolf’s Head has completed bench and field testing of our UniversalSynthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid technology in ZF Group 8 and 9-speed transmissions and have found equivalent performance when compared to the originally recommended OEM fluid. Wolf’s Head is confident in offering ourUniversal ATF to the service fill market for these transmissions. Due to the myriad of OEM specific fluids offered by each vehicle manufacturer for these transmissions, this application has been listed under “ZF” on our application chart.
Mazda ATF Type-FZ
Wolfs’ Head has competed bench and field testing of our Universal SyntheticAutomatic Transmission Fluid technology in Mazda Motor Corp. SKYACTIV-DRIVE6-speed automatic transmissions and have found equivalent performance when compared to the originally recommended OEM fluid. Wolf’s Head is confident in offering our Universal ATF to the service fill market for these transmissions.Due to the myriad of OEM specific fluids offered by each vehicle manufacturer for these transmissions, this application has been listed under “Mazda” on our application chart.