What oil is better to pour into the engine?

What is the best motor oil to put into a car engine?

What kind of oil should I pour into the engine - synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral?

This question is asked, perhaps, by every car owner in the world. In fact, this problem can be solved simply: just open the car’s operating manual.

However, specialized literature does not always contain the answer to the question: which oil is best to pour into the engine.

Most automakers produce engines that can use any type of oil for normal operation - synthetic, mineral or semi-synthetic.

Synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral?

You can determine which engine oil to pour into the engine by calculating the costs that will be incurred for its periodic replacement.

Any, even the best lubricant, is evaluated according to two main criteria:

Costs for the end user;
Operational characteristics.

Depending on the method and technology for producing motor oil, its performance characteristics also change. It is worth noting that the production technology of synthetic and mineral types is practically the same.

The basis of any oil is a base component, which is mixed with certain additives that give the finished product certain performance characteristics:

antioxidant;
anti-corrosion;
anti-wear;
detergents and others.

In order to lower the pour point of mineral oil, a limited number of depressant additives are used during the production process, the use of which makes it possible to obtain a motor mineral product of class 10W- and lower.

Such additives make it possible to maintain the standard parameters of this indicator for mineral oils within 10W-30, 15W-40 and 10W-40. The use of synthetic additives in the base makes it possible to obtain lubricants with a viscosity of 0W-, 5W-, thanks to which it becomes possible to start the engine at low temperatures and provides immediate lubrication from the first moments of operation.

However, in the case of the mineral type, this problem is solved by adding some antioxidant additives. But there is one drawback: the addition of such additives sharply increases the amount of soot and varnish deposits that settle on engine parts and components during operation. Long-term use of such a product may lead to replacement of the piston rings.

Which engine oil is best to use in winter?

Low air temperatures in winter make starting a car engine much more difficult. To simplify the starting process and save the driver’s nerve cells, you need to know what oil to pour into the engine in winter.

Manufacturers' recommendations

When choosing which oil to pour into the engine in winter, you should first look at the technical documentation of the car.

As a rule, such papers indicate which motor fluid (brand, characteristics) should be poured into the car in winter.

If it is impossible to obtain information from such documentation, then a good lubricant is selected according to certain tolerances and parameters. If this is not possible (the specified characteristics are outdated), you will have to rely only on the automotive chemical market and the knowledge of the driver.

It is worth determining which engine oil was previously poured into the engine. The quality of a lubricant is determined by its characteristics and effect on the engine.

If the car was purchased secondhand, then all the necessary information will be obtained from the previous owner. In the absence of information, you will have to flush the engine - a costly procedure, which, however, guarantees an increase in the life of the car.

Selecting motor oil by viscosity index

When choosing which oil to pour into the engine, you should pay attention to the viscosity of lubricants, which is one of the main indicators of such liquids.

While the engine is running, its components and assemblies rub against each other at high speed. An oil film must be present between the contacting elements: it reduces friction, heating and wear of parts and ensures the tightness of the connection during movement.

Incorrectly selected engine oil can negatively affect engine performance: for example, a high-viscosity lubricant in the winter will cause additional friction and resistance, which will reduce engine performance. Reduced viscosity will lead to rapid wear of engine parts.

Types of motor oil by chemical composition

For a long time, only mineral oil was poured into car engines. Accordingly, the question of what oil to pour into the engine was not so relevant.

This lubricant is created on the basis of natural raw materials, that is, oil. However, it has one drawback - it is not suitable for use in the cold season, especially at temperatures below -10° Celsius - it freezes in the engine.

Mineral motor oil has been replaced by synthetic motor oil, created through the synthesis of molecules, which ensures the same performance regardless of operating temperature.

There is another type of machine lubricant - semi-synthetic, which is a cross between synthetic and mineral analogues and is a natural base to which artificial additives are added.

Each type of motor oil has its own disadvantages and advantages. For example, mineral oil cannot be used at low temperatures, but it helps clean the engine from sediment and fumes that are removed along with the used lubricant during replacement.

Semi-synthetics are more resistant to temperature changes, but they are not suitable for harsh winters: the low temperature threshold of such a lubricant is too high.

However, when using high-quality synthetics, there is one caveat: if a bad product was previously poured into the engine, then a sudden switch to a high-quality lubricant can cause the peeling off of all the sediment and carbon accumulated in the engine, which will lead to clogging of the filter and oil channels and subsequent expensive car repairs.

It is necessary to determine which oil to pour into the engine before changing lubricants. The best option is to flush the entire system with cleaning fluid and only then fill in a new one. In the future, it is recommended to change it strictly according to the schedule established by the manufacturer.

Types of motor oil according to SAE

The classification of engine oil viscosity level used throughout the world was created by the American Society of Automotive Engineers:

A few years earlier, many car owners, when asked which oil is best to fill in for the winter, answered - winter. According to the SAE classification, its designation was the letter W. The packaging of such a lubricant usually indicated SAE 5W, 10W, 15W, etc.

The number located in front of the letter W indicated the minimum temperature the engine oil could withstand without harming the engine. In the winter season, such a product did not become viscous, but when the temperature of the working environment increased, it quickly became liquid.

This type of motor oil, according to the SAE classification, is indicated only by a number. Actually, the number means the highest temperature at which the lubricant can be used.

Over the past few years, all-season motor oil has become very widespread, displacing winter and summer analogues from the markets. It has certain advantages: it does not need to be changed before each season, it is easier to use.

The designation of this type of lubricant is the letter W and two numbers located on either side of it. The first means winter indicators, the second - summer. Of course, all-season oil also has its own temperature thresholds, but choosing the right option is much easier.

Types of motor lubricant according to API

When choosing motor oil for the winter, they rely on the classification of lubricants created by the American Fuels Institute. This system takes into account the quality of engine oil.

There are two main designations in the API classification: S indicates which product is suitable for gasoline engines, C indicates which oil to pour into a diesel engine. You can often encounter a double designation indicated on the lubricant packaging, which allows the use of oil in both types of cars.

Normal oil pressure in a car engine

One of the most common questions along with choosing engine oil is determining its pressure level in the engine.

As a rule, many modern car models do not have special devices that display pressure data on the dashboard - only an emergency warning signal is provided in the form of a light bulb.

It is almost impossible to independently monitor pressure changes without directly checking the engine.

Choosing a high-quality lubricant is not the whole process of preparing a car for the new season. It is important to know what oil pressure should be in the engine in order to ensure its smooth operation. This indicator largely depends on the engine itself: the number of horsepower, cylinders and valves, and the type of fuel used.

For idle speed, the average norm is about 2 bar, for high speed – from 4.5 to 6.5 bar. However, such information is included in each operating manual and technical documentation for the car.

Where to replace

If the car has a diesel engine, then the engine oil must be of the highest quality. It is advisable to fill it at proven service stations that have a quality guarantee.

Replacement timing

It is impossible to name specific terms for changing engine oil - this indicator is purely individual for each car. Considering standard operating conditions, it is advisable to change the lubricant in the power unit every 7-10 thousand kilometers.

If the car is operated in difficult conditions, then it is advisable to reduce the interval between lubricant changes. For cars with diesel engines, the change must be carried out every five to six thousand kilometers. Along with the engine oil, the oil filter is also changed.

Flushing the engine when changing lubricants

Changing lubricants may require a complete flushing of the vehicle's oil system.

As a rule, such cleaning of the power unit is carried out if the oil is changed for the first time or it is unknown what specific product was used before; if the brand of lubricant changes, its viscosity or the car engine is very dirty.

As for other cases, many experts say that it is not necessary to flush the engine at every oil change. Japanese professionals, for example, advise flushing every 40 thousand kilometers.

The main disadvantage of flushing agents is that during their action they settle on the components and parts of the car.

Since they often contain caustic substances, thanks to which all contaminants are corroded, when new oil is added, they are mixed with it, significantly reducing its performance characteristics.

As a result, such a decrease in the quality of the lubricant can adversely affect the condition of the engine and lead to its repair - in the worst case.

Source: https://dvigatels.ru/zamena-masla/kakoe-maslo-luchshe-zalivat.html

What oil is better to pour into the engine?

“You can’t spoil porridge with butter,” as the popular wisdom we all know says. I would, of course, like to say the same about cars, replacing the word “porridge” with “motor,” but alas, everything is not as simple as we would like.

If the oil is chosen incorrectly, then a “heart attack” is guaranteed for your “metal stallion”.

But to ensure constant reliable operation of the engine , motor oil that is correctly selected specifically for your car will help.

Therefore, it is not enough to simply change the engine oil; it is important to always fill it correctly and only fill it from the very beginning and for the entire subsequent period of operation of your car. that everyone who is planning to change their oil, either soon or later, delve into our tips on choosing the right engine oil.

Colorful and beautiful advertisements, shown on TV and located on the spreads and covers of glossy magazines, in every way praise us with certain brands of motor oils, that numerous scientific and technological tests have been carried out on them, and the like.

And about the opinions of familiar “experts” who repeat one thing or another, they simply confuse you even more due to the excess of information . You can make your choice easier by freeing your head from all sorts of unnecessary advice. To do this, it’s enough just to take it and, after thinking carefully, figure it out, solving the problem of choice.

First, it’s worth conducting a short review of all types of motor oils. Based on their composition, they are divided into four main types.

Main types of motor oils

Mineral motor oils The traditional basis of classic motor oils is the mineral component. But this type of motor oil often does not meet modern oil change requirements and does not provide strict engine performance characteristics.

Semi-synthetic motor oils These oils are similar in composition to the previous ones, since they are produced on a mineral basis, but with an admixture of synthetic components. “Synthetics” improves the properties of mineral oils when starting a cold engine in winter, cleans the engine well and prevents rapid engine wear.

Synthetic motor oils Synthetic oils serve as a base for producing engine oils with improved properties. Motor oils based on synthetic components are suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines.

They do an excellent job of preventing engine wear, providing optimal lubrication during cold starts, keeping the engine clean and minimizing friction.

They meet the highest quality standards according to API and approvals of car manufacturers.

All-season motor oils This type of oil is good for temperate climates and can be used throughout the year. In winter, these oils do not thicken greatly, and in the summer heat they do not liquefy to a large extent.

Classification of motor oils

SAE classification

One of the most important properties of motor oil is its viscosity and how it is affected by minimum and maximum ambient temperatures.

The correspondence of the viscosity-temperature properties of oils to certain engine requirements in the international classification SAE J300 is described quite fully.

According to it, oils can be divided into winter : six types (OW, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W and 25W) and summer five viscosity classes (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60).

All-season motor oils are marked with a double number. The first number indicates the minimum at the lowest temperatures, guaranteeing the starting properties of the engine. The second number shows the kinematic range of viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius and the dynamic range at 150 degrees .

The properties of oils are assessed according to SAE J300 through tests that provide you, the consumer, with information about the maximum temperatures at which it is possible to start the engine and pump oil with a pump in cold start mode, which does not allow the occurrence of dry friction in its high-capacity units.

Synthetic motor oils are produced under the SAE viscosity class.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the extreme temperature ranges of this class of oils for different engines are strikingly different. This is influenced by starter power, the minimum crankshaft starting frequency required to start the engine, oil pump performance, operational and technological factors.

For most engines, we can first recommend choosing from the following oils: – if your car has mileage less than 25% of the planned engine life, then it is better to use SAE 5W-30 class oil or all-season 10W-30;

– if the engine life is 25-75%, then it is advisable to use oils of SAE 10W-40, 15W-40 classes in summer, in winter – SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30, and SAE 5W-40 – all-season;

– with an engine life of more than 75%, in summer – SAE 15W-40 and 20W-40 in winter – SAE 5W-40 and 10W-40 and all-season – SAE 5W-40.

API classification

API - the first classification of automobile oils according to their performance properties and application was proposed back in 1947 by the Petroleum Institute in America.

According to it, oils are divided into two categories - “S” and “C”. Category “S” (Service) refers to oils that are used in 4-stroke gasoline engines.

Category – “C” (Commercial) – diesel engines, road construction and agricultural machinery.

These categories are divided into classes; they are presented here in ascending order of quality requirements:

“S” – (SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ and SL);

“C” – (SA, SV, SS, CD, CD-II, CE, CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4 and CH-4). The class designation numbers (CD-II, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4 and CH-4) respectively indicate their use in two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines. There are also universal oils with double markings SF/CC, SG/CD, CF-4/SH, which are applicable to both diesel and gasoline engines.

ACEA classification

The Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) introduced its own radically new classification of motor oils in 2002 , based on European test methods, and also using proven American physicochemical and motor methods according to SAE, ASTM and API.

Now all new oils are required to meet the most modern ACEA 2002 requirements.

This association includes leading venerable automotive giants - Ford of Europe, DAF, Peugeot, Renault, General Motors Europe, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Saab-Scania, Rolls-Royce, Rover, Volkswagen, FIAT, Volvo and others. classification distinguishes three categories for the use of motor oils - A, B and E:

A - high-quality oils for gasoline engines, which in turn are divided into three levels - A1, A2, and A3;

B – oils for diesel engines of passenger cars and vans built on their basis. Oils are divided into four subcategories - B1, B2, V3 and B4;

E – oils for heavy trucks. They also have four subcategories - E1, E2, EZ and E4.

What is the difference between oils?

Viscosity is the most important property of oils for automobile engines. The way it changes depending on the temperature regime and determines the limits of the temperature range at which a particular oil can be used.

At low temperatures, the oil should remain with a very low viscosity coefficient. At high levels it’s the other way around.

Based on the viscosity coefficient and how it changes in accordance with temperature conditions, oils are divided into:

– winter – oils with minimal viscosity, ensuring trouble-free cold engine starts, but not intended for effective engine lubrication at sufficiently high temperatures;

– summer – oils that are not able to provide a cold start at an ambient temperature below zero degrees. But, having good viscosity, they effectively lubricate the engine in the summer heat;

– all-season – oils that have the qualities of winter and summer oils. Their viscosity is adjusted relative to the ambient temperature. In summer they have a higher viscosity, in winter they are less viscous.

All-season oils have no competition over the two previous types of oils for two factors: the first is saving time and money, because you don’t need to buy two bottles of different oils and change it while looking at the thermometer; second, these oils are more energy efficient.

In addition to viscosity characteristics, engine oil is also determined by operational characteristics. Such as: anti-wear and washer, anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation.

But viscosity is, of course, the first and fundamental element that classifies motor oils. All kinds of additives significantly increase the cost of motor oils. Therefore, correctly decide what exactly you need, so as not to overpay for additional features that will not be used to the full extent of their intended purpose.

Which oil for which engines?

As mentioned above, there are three different classification systems for motor oils, but the most used and widespread of them are the American and European ones. The classification of motor oils is established by testing in engines or propulsion systems. In this way, all the most important properties of oils are assessed, which will be further certified.

So, let's look at which oils and for which engines it is recommended to fill according to the American API classification.

For gasoline engines: SG (1989), SH (1993), SJ (1996), SL (2001), SM (2004) - the numbers in parentheses indicate the year of engine manufacture, more precisely, from what year of engine manufacture, API recommends using a specific oil class .

For diesel engines: CD (1955), CD-II (1987), CE (1987), CF (1994), CF-2 (1994), CF-4 (1990), CG-4 (1995), CH-4 (1998), CI-4(2002). The numbers 2 and 4 respectively indicate the engine cycle.

If you see a value on the label with both markings, for example, SJ/CH-4, this means that the oil is universal and can be used in both gasoline and diesel engines.

Also in the API classification there is the marking EC1, EC2 - this means that these oils have energy-saving properties, which means a reduction in fuel consumption.

And the higher the marking coefficient, the greater the energy-saving properties of the oil.

Now let's look at which oils and for which engines are recommended to be filled according to the European ACEA classification:

Oils for cars, vans and minibuses with gasoline engines are: A1-96, A2-96, A3-96, A4-98, A5-2002.

Oils for cars, vans and minibuses with diesel engines are: B1-96; B2-96; B3-96, B4-98, B5-2002.

Oils for use in engines of large trucks, vans and road trains are: E1-96, E2-96, E3-96, E4-98, E4-99, E5-99.

In 2004, ACEA introduced a new class of oils - “C”, which is universal for all types of engines.

Source: https://auto.today/bok/1281-kakoe-maslo-luchshe-zalivat-v-dvigatel-muki-vybora.html

What kind of oil should I put in the engine?

The question in the title can be classified as an eternal question, that is, one about which motorists will argue until they are hoarse as long as power units that require this technical fluid are in use.

Of course, it is impossible to say unequivocally that only mineral, semi-synthetic or synthetic oil should be poured into a car engine - too many factors need to be taken into account when choosing it.

Today we will look at all the possible options that may affect the choice of lubricant for the “heart” of the machine.

First, let's remember why the engine actually needs oil.

It performs several useful functions: it lubricates the rubbing surfaces of engine parts, protects them from corrosion, removes heat in places of friction of power unit parts, reduces shock loads, and, finally, serves as a “detergent”, washing out all the debris that has accumulated in the engine body over time. its operation. Now we will start from what types of oil mankind has come up with in order to protect the power plant of the car from all the listed troubles.

The first motor oil was obtained naturally from petroleum feedstock. This is the most “natural” lubricating fluid, the composition of which is replete with natural hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, these natural oil components are highly unstable, changing their properties under the influence of external factors, such as ambient temperature.

The first engines that used mineral oil suffered greatly from exposure to temperatures, as a result of which the technical fluid could not perform its basic functions for long enough and needed frequent replacement, which in itself did not please car owners.

With the development of chemistry, scientists realized that it was possible to stabilize the properties of mineral motor oil with the help of special substances - so-called additives. They began to actively add them to the composition of the oil, but although the expected effect was there, it also turned out to be short-lived.

And all because the additives added to the lubricating fluid, under the influence of the same factors, were very quickly destroyed, extending the life of the “mineral water” for a short time.

A real breakthrough in the oil business was the invention of synthetic technical fluids for engine lubrication. Obtained by the synthesis of hydrocarbons, these oils were more resistant to adverse factors, did not require, due to their stable composition, many additives inherent in “mineral oil”, and, most importantly, significantly extended the life of the engine.

Then a third type of motor oil appeared - semi-synthetic. It was created by mixing the bases of synthetic and mineral oils in a ratio of 30/70 (some semi-synthetic oils are based equally on “synthetic” and “mineral”). This oil is the “golden mean”, since it has absorbed the best properties of two other lubricating substances.

When discussing which oil is best to pour into a car engine, you need to remember several more of its parameters that need to be taken into account when choosing this technical fluid. These include viscosity (the ability of the oil to become thinner or thicker when exposed to certain temperatures), the presence of additives and the approval of the automobile manufacturer.

Engine oil viscosity grade

It cannot be said that some oil is better and some worse - for one type of engine, for example, “mineral oil” is suitable, while another will work like a charm only on “synthetic”. As a rule, mineral motor oils are poured into engines of older designs (carburetor).

Modern injection engines (no matter whether the car has a gasoline or diesel engine) of new cars best tolerate synthetic oil - it is this that is poured into car engines on the assembly line. But the same modern engines, with increasing mileage, exhibit such a property as increased waste (degree of combustion and oil consumption).

To reduce the degree of waste, use semi-synthetic oil.

Thus, we came to the conclusion: mineral water - for the engines of old cars (they can run on synthetics and semi-synthetics, but what's the point of paying more?), synthetics - for the engines of completely new cars, semi-synthetics - for new units, but have already passed a certain mileage (from 60 to 90 thousand km) of cars.

But we have decided which types of oils to choose based on their chemical composition under ideal conditions. In fact, the process of choosing oil for a specific engine is a little more complicated. First of all, you need to consider what oils the manufacturer recommends.

Information about this can be found in the car’s operating manual, but if you bought a used car and there is no “manual” for it, then information about the types, brands and viscosity characteristics of engine oil can be found on the Internet, on the websites of automakers.

Volkswagen recommendations for the Polo sedan model.

As a last resort, you can call a dealership that sells cars of your brand and clarify all the parameters with a consultant. Then you need to determine which oil was filled from the factory (if the car is new) or by the previous owner of the car.

In modern cars, as mentioned above, synthetic oils are used, and in cars with mileage, the engine is most likely filled with “semi-synthetic” or, if the device is rare, “mineral water”.

Having determined what oil composition and viscosity has already been used in your car’s unit, you can select the brand.

Currently, automakers do not name the specific brands of oils that they pour into the engines of their cars, telling customers that it contains branded oil (for example, “Mercedes” or “BMW”).

Suzuki branded engine oil

They do this because they want to keep the car owner on the service “needle” for as long as possible, selling him “branded” oil at a price much higher than what the manufacturer of the technical fluid sells for it.

Therefore, the motorist’s task is to still find out the specific brand of oil in order to save his money. In addition, it is not at all necessary to pour a certain brand of oil into the engine of your “iron horse” - there are probably a lot of analogues on the market that may be more suitable for you on the price-quality scale.

After all, the main thing in oil is not the brand, but its chemical composition (mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic) and the degree of viscosity.

Based on all the above parameters, you can determine which type of oil is suitable for your specific engine.

Source: https://avtoexperts.ru/article/kakoe-maslo-zalivat-v-dvigatel/

What oil is better to pour into the engine?

It is always important for car enthusiasts to know which brand of oil is best for their car. The oil prevents contamination and jamming of engine systems and prevents wear on the working unit, but if you choose the wrong lubricant for your car, the driver risks being left without wheels for a long time.

After all, using the wrong oil is fraught with frequent repairs and major breakdowns, which can lead to the “loss” of the entire engine system as a whole. Of course, you can always replace broken parts, but why make them break?

There are a number of features that affect which oil to pour into the engine for each specific car. This is both the type of vehicle (truck, family or sports car) and the type of fuel used, because one brand is better for diesel engines, and other lubricants will be better for gasoline engines.

Characteristics of the oil that determine its choice

The brand of oil that is best suited for a car engine depends on the conditions for which it is used. Some brands are designed for the dirtiest engines, with a large number of impurities in the fuel, sulfur residues and other features. These types of oil are more suitable for diesel engines.

In winter and summer heat, the choice of oil may also differ - the presence of condensation or the start, warm-up and operating temperatures of each engine may differ. It also depends on the fuel used and, accordingly, the engine efficiency factor, which affects the combustion temperatures of the fuel.

In general, there are quite a few possible characteristics of an oil that affect its range of application.

Frequency of oil changes, depending on the conditions of its use

Experienced drivers know that not only the brand of oil determines the quality of car maintenance. The longevity of a vehicle engine is also affected by the frequency of its replacement.

There are many recommendations given by oil and vehicle manufacturers regarding the frequency of oil changes. This usually depends on the operating conditions of the car - the more severe these conditions, the more often it is worth completely draining and replacing the oil, adding it to the system or performing other manipulations, including the use of special individual additives.

But under more severe conditions (extreme temperatures, prolonged loads), an oil change will be justified in areas of 7-8 or even 5 thousand kilometers.

Foreign-made cars with souped-up engines may require even more frequent oil changes, but they can also use branded oils designed for the appropriate conditions of use.

Which oil base is better - synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral?

The choice of brand is also influenced by its basis. In addition to the base, various additives are also added to the oil, but the impurities do not affect its basic lubricating characteristics as much as the base.

Miniralka

It is known that the mineral base is cheaper to produce, but differs in that it has a lot of mineral residues and their large fractions make the oil not so homogeneous. Thanks to this, the oil becomes more economical, but, unfortunately, it pollutes the engine much more and leaves a lot of residues.

Synthetics

Synthetic bases are created using special synthesis. This allows you to obtain high quality oil - homogeneous, without potentially harmful impurities. This makes synthetic oil more expensive, but at the same time the quality of work from its use increases significantly.

Semi-synthetics

Semi-synthetic is the best option for car enthusiasts who are willing to pay a little more for lubricant, but do not require the highest quality oil. Their price, of course, is significantly higher than that of mineral oils, but lower than that of synthetics.

In addition, in terms of quality characteristics, it is almost not inferior to synthetic brands. Having decided to change the type of oil used, some drivers resort to semi-synthetic oils in order to gradually switch to another lubricant, which makes it also quite popular.

This also applies to experimental transitions - after semi-synthetics it is much easier to return to the previous oil.

How to choose the best brand of oil for gasoline and diesel engines?

Dispersing impurities hold solids that appear during engine operation and oil burnout - soot particles. Cleaners should prevent the appearance of carbon deposits. Due to excess sulfur, diesel fuel is subject to more intense oxidation, so the presence of more antioxidants is justified.

For gasoline engines, in turn, such a number of additives is not necessary. A large number of additives makes the oil less homogeneous, which most often manifests itself at extreme operating temperatures. Therefore, the service life of motor oils for gasoline engines is quite wider than that of diesel engines.

The choice of oil is important

The correct choice of oil brand will allow the motorist to get the longest and highest quality effect. But for this it is worth spending some time to decide on the brand.

Source: http://AvtoTehnar.ru/kakoj-maslo-luchshe-lit-v-dvigatel/

What oil is best to put in the engine?

Which oil is better to pour into the engine - synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral? Which brand and manufacturer of motor oil should you prefer? The answer, it would seem, is quite simple to find - to do this, you just need to open the service book, everything is definitely written there. But even in the service book you are unlikely to find clear answers to these questions.

And all because almost all automakers create engines that can work not with one specific, but with several types of motor oils.

Useful link: DIY instructions for changing engine oil.

How to choose the right engine oil for your car

The most correct approach when choosing engine oil for a car is to follow the recommendations of the car manufacturer. Each service book (as well as the vehicle’s operating instructions) describes the parameters of the engine oil that can be poured into the engine.

There are several basic parameters that allow you to choose the right engine oil for your car:

Classification of motor oil by viscosity. Oil viscosity according to SAE is designated as follows: 0w-30, 5w-40, 20w-50, etc. For example, the viscosity determines which oil is best to fill into the engine in summer or winter. We wrote more about what oil viscosity is and why this parameter is so important in this article.
Engine oil type. Depending on their base, motor oils are mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic. Many people believe that the type of motor oil can be determined by its viscosity (for example, 15w-40 is mineral, 10w-40 is semi-synthetic, and 5w-40 is synthetic), but this is not true! We will tell you below what the difference is between synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oil, as well as what is best to fill in for used engines.
Classification of motor oil by quality: ILSAC (Asian), API (American) and ACEA (European). All these classifications indicate the same thing, so there is no need to look for all three designations in the service book - one will be enough. But on a jar of oil you will most likely find something like this: “Meets the requirements: ACEA A5/B5; API SN/SM; ILSAC GF-5".

Write down all these requirements on a piece of paper from your car's operating manual or service book, after which you can go to a car store and choose motor oil with the required characteristics from any manufacturer you like.

Some service books indicate oils of certain brands and manufacturers - this is a violation of antitrust laws. Keep in mind that you cannot be forced to fill in oil from a specific manufacturer, it is simply recommended to you, and if necessary, any lawyer can prove this.

Many brands of leading automobile oil manufacturers have approval from global automakers. These include, for example, Liqui Moly, BP, ESSO, Texaco, Shell, Castrol, ZIC, Mobil, Elf, Total, Lukoil and others. Therefore, the choice of brand and manufacturer of motor oil depends entirely on your preferences and financial capabilities.

It is also worth noting that oil change intervals are determined solely by the vehicle engine manufacturer and no one else. Therefore, you should not take seriously advertising messages on labels that promise an increased service life of 30, 40 or even 50 thousand kilometers - you will still have to change the oil according to the deadlines provided by the car manufacturer.

Which oil is better: synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral?

To understand which engine oil is best to pour into the engine, you need to calculate the possible costs of periodically replacing it. Let's start with the fact that any oil can be assessed by two key indicators:

Operational characteristics;
Price for the end consumer.

The first indicator, for example, very much depends on the method of making the oil.

By the way, the technological scheme for the production of both mineral and synthetic oils is almost the same. It is obtained by mixing a base component (synthetic or mineral), which gives the motor oil the specified viscosity characteristics, and a certain set of additive packages:

Anti-corrosion,
Antioxidant,
Washing,
Anti-wear and a number of others.

Thus, in the production of mineral motor oil, to lower its pour point, a strictly dosed amount of depressant additives is used, which prevent the output from producing oil with a class lower than 10W-. Thanks to such additives, the standard values of this parameter for mineral motor oils are kept within the range of 10W-30, 10W-40 and 15W-40.

The use of synthetic base components makes it possible to produce oils with a viscosity of 0W-, 5W-, which provide engine lubrication almost from the first seconds of its operation, as well as easy engine starting at low (down to -40 ° C) temperatures.

But the most important advantage of synthetics, which distinguishes it favorably from the mineral base, is its higher thermal-oxidative stability. In simple terms, this means that while the engine is running, synthetic motor oil oxidizes and deteriorates much less than mineral oil.

In principle, this problem can be partially solved by introducing an additional amount of antioxidant additives into the mineral oil.

But any additive added to engine oil, to one degree or another, contributes to the formation of soot and the appearance of varnish deposits that settle on engine parts during operation.

After using a car for a long time with such engine oil, you will probably have to decarbonize the piston rings.

Therefore, if we compare synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oils of approximately equal operating levels, then when using synthetics, the likelihood of soot and harmful deposits appearing in the engine will be minimal, which cannot be said about mineral oil. However, any synthetic, given its increased performance characteristics, will cost approximately one and a half to two times more than mineral oil.

What is better, synthetic or semi-synthetic for used engines?

Modern engines, as a rule, require the use of semi-synthetic or fully synthetic motor oils. This is due to the fact that such oils behave more stably throughout their entire service life between oil changes and better retain their basic properties.

If we are talking about engines with significant mileage, especially in cases where there is increased engine oil consumption, then we recommend that it is better to fill in semi-synthetic. Currently, semi-synthetic oils are not inferior to 100% synthetics in many respects, but they are somewhat cheaper.

Mineral oils are mainly used either in older engines or in domestic cars, if this type of oil is indicated in the car's operating manual.

Synthetic oil has another indisputable advantage - it really allows you to save up to 10% of fuel on a cold start, and up to 5% on a warm-up engine (tips on how to reduce fuel consumption). And easier engine starting, especially during the winter period of vehicle operation, significantly reduces the toxicity of exhaust gases in the first minutes of its operation.

It’s up to you to decide which oil is best to buy and pour into the engine. But do not forget that the stingy pays twice, and the costs of unplanned engine repairs are unlikely to be comparable to the price of even the most expensive synthetic oil.