11 myths about car engine oil

The topic of motor oil for motorists always, and especially in winter, raises many questions and often provokes interesting discussions. There are many opinions: which engine oil is better for the winter, how often it should be changed in summer and winter, etc. However, many opinions are wrong and have nothing to do with real life.

Misconceptions and myths about motor oil that drivers believe

To help drivers better understand the peculiarities of engine oil operation, we decided to collect the most common myths associated with engine oil and debunk them.

Myth 1. There is no need to change the oil in winter if the machine is practically not used

Many people face this when the car just stands in the garage most of the time in winter. And many are sure that if you don't drive, then you don't need to change the oil. Unfortunately, this is not the case, since any engine oil poured into a car engine always loses its properties. And it happens faster than if it were stored in a sealed canister.

This is due to the fact that the oil comes into contact with air, which leads to its oxidation. As a result, the oil can deteriorate very quickly. Also, do not forget that in the engine, the lubricant is constantly in contact with metal alloys, as a result, a chemical reaction occurs, which also negatively affects the composition and properties of engine oil. Therefore, it is recommended to change the oil regularly, even if the car is not in use, and not only taking into account the mileage.

Myth 2. In winter, the oil is cold, like the engine, so it needs to be changed less often

And this statement is also wrong. Even if you hardly use the car in winter, that is, the engine will not normally warm up, then still, under such operating conditions, moisture and sediment will constantly accumulate in the oil, which remains after the combustion of the fuel (there are always impurities that cannot be completely burned out). This causes the formation of low-temperature deposits. If the car is used regularly, then the temperature in the engine will rise and differ little from other seasons. That is, in any case, the oil must be changed in winter.

Myth 3. It is not necessary to pour the oil rate, the minimum is enough

Many people think that much less oil is involved in the lubrication of the motor than it is recommended to fill, that is, you can use even a minimum, nothing will happen. This is also not true. If there is little oil in the engine, then the frequency of its exchange will increase dramatically, which will lead to accelerated wear of engine parts. This has a very negative effect on the working condition of the engine and reduces its working life, so saving on the amount of oil is not the best solution.

Myth 4: The engine oil does not affect the cooling of the engine, for this is the antifreeze

If everyone thinks that oil should only be lubricated engine parts, reducing friction and increasing the working life of the motor, they are mistaken. The main tasks of any engine oil at a minimum of 4:

Provide easy engine starting — you need oil in order to provide a cold start pumpable and lubricate any part of that under heavy load they are less susceptible to mechanical damage
Provide the lubrication of all engine parts — this is the main function of the oil, which is designed to protect the engine from friction and protects from corrosion
Neutralization of various aggressive components — everyone knows that during engine operation remain some combustion products, which have a negative impact on engine parts. The oil provides their leaching and removal through the oil filter to provide additional protection to the motor.
The heat removal — When the engine during parts become very hot, there is little you need to ensure reliable operation of the unit in the area of the cylinder group and the crankcase. This is due to the fact that the lubricant generally has high thermal and thermo-oxidative stability.

Myth 5. The higher viscosity oils, the lower the wear on the motor

This is a very common misconception among drivers. Naturally, the obvious fact that the higher the viscosity, the lubrication layer will be thicker, which significantly reduces the intensity of the mechanical wear and tear during operation. But there is another side to the coin. The thicker the oil layer, the heat from the piston will be given the worst, it will begin to overheat and expand. It will have an increase in friction performance, it may even become jammed. That is always the choice of oil should be guided by the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. It should not be very high or low viscosity. It should be optimal for this particular engine, taking into account the viscosity of the features of its construction.

Myth 6. During cold start oil 0W-30 or 0W-40 will behave the same way.

It is also not a true statement, as the first digit in the marking is not talking about a particular viscosity values in the cold, this figure simply limits the maximum value of viscosity. In practice, at low temperature 0W-30 viscosity oil may be even lower than that of analogues with 0W-40 labeling. This can be explained by the fact that "thirty" has a certain margin of safety, which does not allow them to sink to the extreme values, and it is higher than the "sorokovke". Therefore, in order to start the engine in cold weather it was easier to give preference to the best oil 0W-30, they will be working in such an environment of stability and reliability.

Myth 7. Change the engine oil should be solely on the odometer readings

This is also incorrect statement as a hard peg to the odometer reading does not. Much here will also depend on the operating characteristics of the vehicle.

For example, if you travel only occasionally to the country, not passing for the whole season and one thousand kilometers, then there is an oil change will depend not on the odometer, and from time to time, then there will have to navigate a calendar. it is recommended to change the oil at least once a year.

If the machine is operated is very active with daily travel and standing in city traffic, the mileage can also be not be so great, but the operation of the engine in the engine hours may be longer solid. In such circumstances, the odometer reading is recommended to halve, to determine the optimal time for an oil change.

If the vehicle travels long distances on country roads, he may best little need to change in view of odometer reading, approximately every 15 000 km.

Myth 8. motor oil only certain brands are suitable for vehicles of specific brands

In fact, the brand is not the most important thing when choosing oil. Of course, a particular brand may recommend seller, but you also need to understand that the responsibility for any decision only on car owners.

Every car manufacturer in the service book is required to write all the necessary specifications and tolerances, and that these parameters should respond to oil. which will be poured into the engine. In particular, the grease must conform to established standards of viscosity index, the level of operational properties of API, ACEA, ILSAC or requirements of a particular manufacturer.

That is, the brand can not be a decisive factor, but it is best to choose a proven product brands, but above all the engine oil must be optimal for the vehicle operating parameters. Brand-it is the last point when choosing a product

Myth 9. If the motor is OK, you do not need to add oil between maintenance

And here is the opposite. Motor not only may need topping up the oil, at times, it is extremely necessary. Optimizing the design of modern engines has resulted in the fact that the reduction in the size of the main elements. And that in such a situation, the pistons retained its former strength, manufacturers sometimes have to save money on drainage holes. This leads to the fact that oil is less removed and burned.

There is it a negative consequence of reducing the volume of modern engines-the presence of the turbocharger. This leads to an increase in load, and do these units require no additional lubrication. That is to say this again leads to increased engine oil consumption, even when fully serviceable engine.

Myth 10. There is no separation of oil ash content

Just the opposite-there. There is even a special term SAPS. He describes the content in the oil of sulphate ash, sulfur and phosphorus.

Mid SAPS and Low SAPS — oil with an average or low ash content, they are intended for use in vehicles that are equipped with special systems to minimize the toxicity of exhaust gases and additional catalytic converters that prolong their service life.

Full SAPS — polnozolnye oils for this type have high cleaning ability and high resistance to use lower quality fuels

In addition, we should not forget that some of the sulfur and phosphorus compounds may be included in some popular additives: anti-friction, anti-oxidant, anti-wear. All of these classes are already taken into account in the European classification ACEA. For example, if the package is marked marking ACEA Ax/Bx, it says that these belong to oils with a high ash content, and if specified ACEA Cx-the oils to middle and low ash content

Myth 11. The oil quality is determined by its price: the more expensive the better

This is not exactly a true statement, since the formation of prices influenced by many factors. If we talk about the imported products, there is a very large percentage of the final cost of shipping, customs duties. Also affects the exchange rate. That is, it is obvious that the original terms of equal quality imported oil will be more expensive than domestic.

Also, the cost impact specific functional parameters of the oil. And it is not always the most expensive option-the best. Oil should always comply with what is required of the car manufacturer. For example, it is not recommended to use oil with low ash engine having no exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Special benefit it will bring, you just spend the extra money.

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