Rochester Auto Repair

10W-30, 5W-30, 0W-20, and the list goes on! What’s with all the numbers and what do they mean? What makes one oil different from another?   It’s all about viscosity. Simply put, viscosity is how well a liquid sticks to and coats an object. For example, water has a low viscosity - it doesn’t easily keep a coat on a surface. Now consider honey. Honey has a high viscosity. It will create a thick coat on your spoon or measuring cup and it doesn’t easily, quickly, or cleanly pour off a surface.   The first number listed for an oil grade is the viscosity rating at cold temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker it is at winter temperature. The first number is grouped with the “W” to indicate winter.    The second number indicates the oil viscosity at the vehicle’s normal operating temperature, which can be around 200℉. Due to the additives in modern oil, it actually becomes more viscous at higher temperatures and is ab ... read more

  Catalytic Converters are a government mandated section of a vehicle's exhaust system. They convert harmful gasses produced from your vehicle into less harmful gas. Along with ither chemicals, carbon monoxide is converted into carbon dioxide. Due to the government regulations, it is illegal for an automotive repair facility to bypass the catalytic converter or install a “straight pipe.”   Jake, operations manager at South Street Auto Care states, “Cat thieves suck. They often damage other components when cutting out the catalytic converter and the repair is usually well over $1000.” As of 2009,  ... read more