The basics of re-refined oil

We all know that we are intended to change the oil in our cars regularly, but other than natural or synthetic, most people don’t usually think about what oil goes in or comes out. Re-refined oil is engine lubricant that is exactly what it sounds like — used oil that has been re-refined for reuse. How exactly is re-refined oil made, and is it safe for use with your car?

Resource for this article: The basics of re-refined oil By Car Deal Expert

The re-refining oil process

Oil from petroleum doesn't wear out. It gets dirty instead. Although the oil doesn't wear out, the additives do. Used motor oil is re-refined the same way as crude oil. The oil is cleaned, refined and re-blended with additives to create a product that is comparable to lubricants created with crude oil.

Make sure your re-manufactured oil is approved

While re-refined oil could be as clean, safe and effective, you should take a few additional precautions. Make sure that the re-refined oil being used is American Petroleum Institute approved. Usually API approved oil can be required. API approved oil has undergone stringent testing needs that ensure it does what it is intended to. Whether re-refined or not, you will need oil that is API approved. If you use a mechanic, check with them that they are using API approved oil, re-refined or not.

The benefits of re-refined oil

re-refined motor oil can do a lot more than lubricate your engine. Used motor oil is considered a toxic waste, and is typically disposed of in a variety of ways. Re-refining oil helps create a closed-loop system, where the nonrenewable resource of oil is regularly re-used. It takes one gallon of used motor oil to create 2.5 quarts of re-refined oil. The byproducts are used to power re-refining plants and also to create asphalt roof shingles. If all motor oil in the United States was re-refined, there would be enough recycled oil to maintain someplace around 8 million vehicles per year.