Motorists often face the problem of choosing a lubricant for high mileage engines. Most often, vehicle owners cannot figure out what oil viscosity to use for the power unit.
This is due to the fact that the parameters and characteristics of certain engine models differ from each other. Therefore, when choosing a lubricant, special attention should be paid to the tolerances and standards from the vehicle manufacturer.
For example, for a Volkswagen Bora car, the manufacturer recommends using oil with a viscosity of 5w40. If the owner of the vehicle fills the ICE system with a lubricant with an index of 10w40 or 15w40, then there will be problems associated with pumping fluid in the oil pump.
This is especially true in the winter period, when severe frosts are observed. If you fill in 0w20, then the motor will start to wear out, since the oil will have high fluidity and, as a result of warming up the motor, will not be able to provide adequate protection for metal parts and mechanisms.
High mileage engine
As a rule, when a car crosses the line of 200 thousand kilometers, experts recommend using semi-synthetics instead of synthetics. First of all, this is due to the loss of engine performance. Therefore, in order to know which oil with which viscosity to use, it is necessary to take into account the technical condition of the engine.
An increase in ICE mileage implies certain changes and requirements for the viscosity of the lubricant. Experienced mechanics recommend filling the engine with oil with a high index for optimal fluidity and lubrication of worn parts. The sooner the car owner replaces the composition with an analogue with the appropriate viscosity characteristics, the greater the likelihood of maintaining the functional state of the internal combustion engine.
It is also worth noting that it is not recommended to fill in worn engines with too fluid oils with a high viscosity index, such as 20w50, 10w50. Due to the liquid state, the formed microfilm will regularly drain from the surface of rubbing mechanisms, which can lead to wear and overheating of parts.
Therefore, in order to choose the most optimal oil viscosity for both the winter and summer periods, it is necessary to stop at 5w40, 10w40. In severe frosts, you can use 0w20, and then make a smooth transition to 5w30.
Recommendations from experts on the choice of oil viscosity
According to the opinion of auto mechanics and vehicle manufacturers, it is necessary to use:
- All-weather 5w40, if the engine mileage is more than 100 thousand km. In the summer, 10w30 is recommended for the motor;
- All-weather 5w50, if the engine mileage is more than 250 thousand km. For the winter - 5w40 or 10w
But taking into account these recommendations, we note the fact that the power unit may lose functionality and be worn out already after reaching 50 thousand km. Therefore, such indicators should be considered only in the presence of normal engine performance.
Pumping engine fluid
Oil pumping is the possibility of its unhindered passage through the engine oil system. Cranking is responsible for the cold start of the internal combustion engine. It is on these two parameters that the choice of viscosity parameters of the lubricant depends.
For example, a car oil with an index of 5w has a minimum pumping at t -35 ° C. The oil cranking temperature is -30°C. That is, with this indicator, the engine can be started in the cold.
Therefore, 5w motor lubricant can be used in temperate climatic zones with a smooth transition to the northern regions, where temperatures in winter do not exceed -35 ° C.
| SAE viscosity grades | Low temperature viscosity | High temperature viscosity | |||
| pumping | cranking | At 100°C/mm²/s | Minimum at 150°C | ||
| Maximum at temperature, mPa | Minimum | Maximum | |||
| 0w | 60000 mPa -40°C | 6200 mPa -35°C | 3.8 | - | - |
| 5w | 60000 mPa -35°C | 6600 mPa -30°C | 3.8 | - | - |
| 10w | 60000 mPa -30°C | 7000 mPa -25°C | 4.1 | - | - |
| 15w | 60000 mPa -25°C | 7000 mPa -20°C | 5.6 | - | - |
| 20w | 60000 mPa -20°C | 9500 mPa -15°C | 5.6 | - | - |
| 25w | 60000 mPa -15°C | 13000 mPa -10°C | 9.3 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | 5.6 | 9,3 | 2,6 |
| 30 | - | - | 9.3 | 12,5 | 2,9 |
| 40 | |||||
One of the controversial and not fully clarified topics of numerous conversations among motorists is engine oil with high mileage. The fact is that in this issue lies a whole forest of various nuances that have both objective and subjective prerequisites.
More often, drivers prefer to extend the life of the "steel heart" of the car through the correct operation of fuels and lubricants.
To some, “by eye” it seems the best use of some very specific type, and someone, using the same product and seemingly doing everything “according to science”, gets a completely opposite result. As a result of such a misunderstanding, the engine suffers.
But there are still not so many such car owners who agree to solve the problem of engine durability by replacing a depressed engine with a new one. More often, drivers prefer to extend the life of the "steel heart" of the car through the correct operation of fuels and lubricants.
And therefore, it’s better to figure out what the right oil for a worn engine should be.
How to find out the right option by marking oils?
It is very difficult to determine exactly which engine oils will work best in power plant lubrication systems with impressive mileage or increased wear rates. A certain clarity (especially for non-professionals) is brought by the instructions for operating the car, which are provided by manufacturers, and the markings on cans of engine oil.
Usually, two important parameters are indicated in large print on the packaging in accordance with the international SAE standard - the thickening index and the viscosity index of a given oil. What is at stake, will help to understand the following specific example.
Take the viscosity designation SAE 10W-30. Here, the number 10 is in the first place. It shows the index of oil thickening. So, the lower this indicator, the lower the temperature at which the indicated oil can be operated normally.
The second number in example (30) is the viscosity coefficient that the product acquires when the engine temperature reaches 100 °C. In this category, the dependence is as follows - the higher this indicator, the thicker the oil.
The Latin letter W (from the English word "winter" - winter) tells us that this oil can be used in winter.
You can find out which oil is suitable for engines with significant mileage in the operating instructions for a particular engine.
In particular, if the engine does not start well in winter, especially in areas with frequent temperatures below -20 ° C, it is recommended to use a lubricant with a reduced thickening index (for example, instead of the proposed SAE 10W-30 oil, it is better to fill in SAE 5W-30). In general, in regions that are characterized by cold winters, it is advised to use oil with a thickening index of 5.
Another international standard is used to classify motor oils - the API quality standard. The lubricant is indexed in the format of this standard with two letters: the first is S, the second is an alphabetical letter. At the same time, the further the second letter stands in the English alphabet, the more high-quality oil it denotes. In particular, for engines with high mileage, oil with an SF index is recommended.
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What is better for the motor - mineral water, semi-synthetics or synthetics?
Currently, all motor oils according to the material of manufacture are divided into mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic products. Grease from the semi-synthetic category is used, as a rule, in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Experts recommend that when operating the engine, strictly follow the instructions for using a particular category of oils. The reason is again in an individual approach to their use in motors. Indeed, in other cases, choosing the highest quality synthetic oil can not only help make the operation of the power unit more reliable and durable, but harm the motor itself.
For example, an ill-conceived replacement of mineral oil with a synthetic analogue (who doesn’t want to fill their engine with a priori better synthetics!) Can lead to problems. Indeed, in an engine with high mileage and worn oil seals, such an oil, which, according to its design functionality, is not intended to increase the wear resistance of the unit, will simply start to break through these oil seals.
You should also be very careful when choosing semi-synthetic oil for a worn engine. The fact is that semi-synthetics, compared to mineral water, are a better material, but at the same time it also has greater “fluidity”. This circumstance may not have a very good effect on an engine with high mileage. Therefore, it is better to consult directly with the official representative of the manufacturer of this car about which oil should be used in the engine, depending on the mileage and the degree of wear.
Thus, if the car's odometer shows a mileage of 100 thousand or more kilometers (especially if it is a domestic car), then mineral lubricant is most likely the best choice for the engine. Among other things, it is necessary to add oil to such a motor more often, and mineral water provides significant financial savings.
Semi-synthetic oils are a mixture of mineral and synthetic raw materials in certain proportions. For fairly old domestic cars, the use of these oils can be risky, if only because they are capable of damaging the rubber parts of the unit with their aggressive chemical components.
Good oil is the key to a long engine life. An automotive internal combustion engine needs high-quality lubrication. A number of operational properties depend on this system, such as the consumption of the fuel mixture, the number of kilometers traveled between major repairs, and so on. The effectiveness of friction reduction is directly dependent on the condition of the engine system, as well as the type and quality of the oil used in it. Manufacturers of consumable components create different types of oil that are required in a given situation. Car companies, in turn, indicate with which component the operation of the machine will be best.
As for the use of oil on a new car, this issue is quite simple to solve. The instructions for the machine always indicate the types of oil, a guide for topping up and replacing, and answers to various questions. In addition, a new car under warranty allows the driver to contact the service at any time, having learned which composition to choose. Unfortunately, this almost does not apply to cars that have served for many years and have high mileage. In this case, topping up and changing the oil becomes more difficult.
What is considered high mileage
First of all, it is necessary to define the terminology. The phrase "high mileage", of course, is relative. It is necessary to understand how often the engine needs to be overhauled and at what odometer mark it is at risk due to wear. There is no unambiguous indicator in numbers - it is impossible to say exactly what mileage is large for engines in general. As a rule, for a unit of domestic origin, a high mileage is from 100,000 kilometers. At the same time, if we talk about some Japanese engines, then even 1,000,000 kilometers may have almost no effect on their condition. On average, imported engines can travel from 150 to 200 thousand kilometers without the need for major repairs and the risk of breaking due to wear. If a foreign-made engine has problems with such a mileage, then it is most likely not being used correctly - either bad oil is poured in, or the procedure itself was not correct.Features of using oil in engines with high mileage
In order to understand what is happening in the chassis of a car with high mileage, as well as to choose the right composition in such a situation, it is necessary to know the principle of operation of the lubricant in the engine. This is especially important if the car has a high mileage.In an engine that has been running for a long time, parts begin to wear out.
First of all, this concerns the cylinder-piston group. Its wear affects compression, therefore, reducing the fuel efficiency of the engine. To maintain the same dynamics, it needs more and more fuel. In such situations, switching to synthetic oils is allowed, because they have a higher resistance to high temperatures, and also evaporate more slowly. Their composition provides better sealing - such a film allows you to reduce the negative effects of wear, normalizing fuel consumption.
In addition, when the cylinder-piston system wears out, the amount of combustion products entering the crankcase from the chamber increases. The composition, under the influence of high temperature and interaction with aggressive substances, begins to oxidize (especially if the driver uses cheap oil and fuel), which leads to a loss in the effectiveness of additives. The engine begins to accumulate combustion products and corrosion appears in it. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, provide protection against oxidation - better and longer than organic ones.
Synthetic oils help to solve the problem with the "cold" start of the engine. The temperature properties of such lubricants make it possible to work with an unheated system - their higher fluidity than organic ones and lower viscosity at low temperatures make it easier for the crankshaft and other parts of the fuel system to fulfill their role. Synthetic oils save fuel at start-up and allow you to make it faster. In addition, starting the engine before warming up is one of the main reasons for its rapid wear.
It is known that all engines have several stages of wear:
- Run-in period;
- steady state;
- Emergency state.
Carbon deposits that form in the engine eventually lead to a deterioration in the mobility of internal parts. In the worst case, a blood clot can form, which completely paralyzes the engine. In other situations, fuel consumption will increase many times, and power will drop. Some motor oils contain additives that prevent deposits. They also make it possible to wash away existing sediment. The active substances of the additives are retained in the oil, lingering on the walls of the mechanisms. The use of such synthetic oils allows you to use the same volume more economically, less often you need to top up.
In the near future, cars that have a system for reducing the toxicity of waste should appear on the automotive market. Of course, to implement such a technology, a large amount of engine oil is required - among other things, it must contain the appropriate additives. Shell's advanced tools provide control of the particulate filter, which reduces the emission of waste into the atmosphere.
How to Extend Engine Life with Special Oil
Many motorists who own cars with high mileage are interested in whether it is possible to extend the life of the engine using a special composition. Of course, no one is happy with the prospect of an early overhaul and replacement of the chassis. Unfortunately, there is no "cure for old age" for engines - this is the answer from all motor oil companies. The only advice that can be given to owners of cars with high mileage and a worn engine is to use a lubricant with a higher viscosity. Thus, if the manual for the motor provides for the use of 5W-40 oil, then it is allowed to replace it with 5W-50. In any case, this solution will only be a temporary compromise, which will only help normalize the operation of the engine, but not its condition.
Photo: Semi-synthetic oil
Changing the oil to a more viscous one has its advantages and disadvantages with high engine wear. This procedure allows you to protect the rubbing parts in the motor, while not creating a thick film. The strongest compound provides the best protection, not the thickest. On the modern market of products, you can find oils with additives that make the film indelible. They owe their properties to esters, which, in turn, have natural magnetic properties, providing a strong film.
At the same time, it is necessary to fill in a more viscous composition, taking into account the fact that the gaps in the friction pairs are increased. If you fill in a lubricant with unsuitable properties, then it will be used up for waste. The viscosity index of the oil must be changed as the engine wears. It is for this reason that no car or engine manufacturer ever gives specific figures - it is always a range of viscosity coefficients. In this case, it is strongly recommended not to go beyond the range prescribed by the manufacturer. Every engine is designed to run with a specific oil, so using the wrong one can damage the system and even cause it to stop working.
Photo: Synthetic oil
However, some experts are sure that using a more viscous compound leads to engine malfunctions. The pump pumping the liquid is not ready to work with a different viscosity of lubricant, therefore it begins to wear out. In addition, this creates a risk of oil starvation in certain parts of the engine, which leads to malfunctions and engine failure. It is these arguments that are voiced by opponents of changing the viscosity coefficient of the oil throughout the operation of the car. First of all, you need to make sure that this or that oil is approved for use by the manufacturer. In addition, in our time, all high-quality compounds use additives that protect the fuel system from wear and breakdown - they work equally well in both new engines and those that have high mileage.
How to choose the right engine oil for a high mileage engine
In order to determine which lubricant is best suited for a particular car, it is first necessary to study the requirements of the car manufacturer. The vehicle manual must contain information about specifications, acceptable viscosity coefficients and other properties. So the first thing to do is to look at the manual.Type of engine oil
According to the principle of production, lubricants are divided into three types:- Mineral (organic);
- Synthetic;
- Semi-synthetic.
When choosing the type of composition, one should be guided by the recommendations of the manufacturer of the equipment. Each engine has an individual design and principle of operation, which means that replacing even with expensive and high-quality synthetic oil can not only not provide benefits, but also destroy the engine.
As for the semi-synthetic composition, it is also not suitable for use in every engine. The choice in its favor is made because of the greater quality, but it also has a greater fluidity. This property can adversely affect the engine, on which the use of semi-synthetics is not provided. The consequences for engines with high mileage will be especially critical.
Photo: Mineral oil
For automobile engines that have a mileage of about 100,000 kilometers (especially if the unit is domestic), the use of a mineral composition is recommended. In addition, it has a lower price - this saves on the frequent topping up that an old engine needs.
Additives in engine oil
Almost all modern engine lubricants are produced with the content of certain additives. For motors with high mileage, molybdenum disulfide and its analogues are best suited to reduce the degree of wear of the unit. Molybdenum disulfide is able to fill the space in the engine at normal operating temperature of the latter. The holes formed during the operation of the motor are compensated by the additive. In addition, it is recommended to use the anti-wear compound even in new cars, adding it every fourth or fifth replacement.Almost all modern manufacturers have oils with molybdenum disulfide or its analogues. However, for safer use, it is recommended to use well-known brand products. They are easier to check for quality.
Marking on the packaging of engine oil
It is difficult to determine which marking corresponds to the best oil for a high mileage engine. To do this, you can study the manuals that describe the nuances of operating a particular engine. You need to look for containers of lubricant with the markings appropriate for the situation.On the vast majority of cans and canisters, two parameters are indicated - the thickening index and the viscosity index. As an example, consider the SAE 10W-30 marking. The first number determines the thickening of the oil. The lower the indicator, the lower the ambient temperature is allowed for operation. The second number determines the degree of viscosity, the composition shows at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.
Another standard that is used all over the world is the API. Its index consists of two letters of the Latin alphabet, the first of which is invariably S. The higher the serial number of the second letter, the better the quality of the oil. So, for engines with high mileage, the SF standard is recommended.
Outcome
Choosing the best oil for a high mileage engine is a complex and controversial procedure. It should be borne in mind that not a single composition can return a worn-out engine to its previous state, but it can normalize its operation (including mixture consumption) for a while.Changing engine oil may seem easy to you, but it's not.
As soon as you look at the quality label, you will see that the oil meets the standards of the American Motor Oil Institute (API). In addition, you will find 2 more distinguishing marks of quality on the canister. The second sign, for example, is the marking "SL". SL oils belong to a group of laboratory experiments, including the latest series of control of high-temperature additives.
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Your main task is to select the viscosity, because it is it that determines the temperature ranges of your engine.
You will find all these markings on every can of engine oil. The API tells you that the oil is classified SL (C for diesel engines). In the same place you will find the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) marking, and next to it is the viscosity index, which tells you that the oil passed the energy saving test successfully.
This is a fairly popular type of engine oil, described above.
Why do you need oil for a car
It, like the blood in the human body, which delivers nutrients to the cells, provides lubrication and protection - "nourishment" - for the engine. However, without oil to lubricate and cool the moving parts, the engine will only run for a few seconds. Thus, oil is essential for the normal operation of the engine. Oil for the car is so important that we sometimes even try to buy something more expensive.
Car oil change time, what to do
So, now it's time to change the oil, let's figure out how to change it. As soon as we change the oil, the car will be able to drive approximately 10,000 km until the next oil change.
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See the step by step oil change guide for your specific vehicle.
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You don't have to be a professional to make it. So, at the next replacement, we must choose the right oil from the whole huge range of the world's assortment. What you should pay attention to when choosing oil for your car.
The viscosity of the oil, where it is written on canisters.
Viscosity (liquid resistance to flow) is rated at 0°F (represented by the preceding "W" (Winter) series) and at 212°F (on the front, the second number indicates viscosity). So, for example, it has a lower viscosity at cold and hot operating temperatures than 20W-50. Note that motor oil tends to deteriorate, become unusable. Thus, with the right additives, the oil resists deterioration and contamination better. Some additives protect well at low temperatures, others, on the contrary, at high ones. The more stable the oil, the higher the second number (10W-40 versus 10W-30, for example).
A viscous oil generally seals better than a thin oil and keeps moving parts in better condition. In low temperature operation, the oil must be resistant to thickening so that it flows more easily in all moving parts of the engine. Also, if the oil is too viscous, the engine requires more power to turn the crankshaft, which is partially submerged in the oil bath. Excessive viscosity can make it difficult to start the engine. For example, "5W" oil is recommended for winter use.
The choice of synthetics
However, some synthetic oils can flow even more easily in cold weather, so they are able to pass tests that meet the 0W rating. After the engine starts, the oil will start to heat up. The second number in the viscosity grade - "40" in 10W-40, for example - tells us that the oil will remain viscous at high temperatures than a lower second number - "30" in 10W-30, for example.
Types of oils, why are there so many types of oils.
Look at the shelves of auto parts stores and you'll see oils designed for all sorts of specific uses: high-tech engines, new cars, high mileage cars, heavy SUVs.
In addition, you will see a wide range of viscosities. If you've read the owner's manual, then you'll probably know what the car manufacturer recommends for a brand new car. This is not a guarantee of better fuel economy, but most leading brands have at least a few viscosities listed on the label. Let's take a look at the different types.
Types of oils for a car
Premium, Regular Oil: This is a standard automotive oil. All leading brands produce several viscosities. As a rule, or, work fine at lower temperatures, 10W-30, in particular, at higher ambient temperatures.
Replacement interval
It is even more important to change the oil and oil filter regularly. An interval of 8-10 thousand km / 4 months is normal. The absolute minimum is twice a year.
Synthetic oils
Oils made for high-tech engines, installed, for example, in Chevy Corvette or Mercedes-Benz, are full owners of synthetics. If these oils have passed the rigorous, specific tests (listed on their labels), this means they have higher, longer lasting performance in all critical areas and applications, from viscosity index to precipitation protection value. They perform better at low temperatures and maintain peak lubricity at high temperatures.
So why doesn't everyone use high-tech oils? Answer: These oils are expensive and not every engine needs them. In fact, they may have some features that a car engine needs.
Synthetic Blend (Mixed oils)
Oils with additives: have a part of synthetic oil mixed with organic oil, and are generally needed in order to provide protection under heavy loads, at high temperatures.
This generally means that they are less volatile, so they evaporate less rapidly, which reduces oil loss and improves fuel economy. These oils are popular with pickup/SUV drivers who need high temperature protection. And they are much cheaper than fully synthetic oils.
Oils for cars with high mileage.
Today, cars with mileage consisting of six digits are often found on the roads. If you are the owner of such a car, then special oils have been developed for you. Nearly two-thirds of the vehicles on the road have 100,000 km on their odometer.
Thus, companies, taking into account the interests of buyers and customers, have created and produced the type of oil that is necessary for most of the population.
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When your car or light truck has significantly higher mileage, you may notice a few oil stains on the floor after leaving the car for a while in the garage.
This often occurs before an oil change, and serves as a kind of guideline for the change timing approach. Perhaps the crankshaft seals have lost their flexibility, so they leaked (particularly at low temperatures). In most cases, rubber seals are designed to swell to stop leaks. But car manufacturers choose their ingredients carefully. You may also notice that some engine performance and smoothness is lost as a result of wear on your car's engine. also have a fairly high viscosity (even if the numbers on the container do not indicate it, there is a fairly wide range for each viscosity rating and mileage.) In addition, they can have even higher viscosity, as a result of increasing the index in them.
Result: These oils protect the clearance between the piston and the cylinder better. They may also have a higher dose of anti-wear additives to slow down the wear process.
Viscosity index.
Resistance to wear, with increasing temperature, is called the viscosity index. Even if the second number is good, then the oil must also be stable. That is, it (viscosity) should be preserved for thousands of kilometers. until the next oil change. For example, oil tends to lose viscosity from shear—sliding motion between large, fixed, metal surfaces of moving parts such as bearings. Thus, resistance to loss of viscosity (shear stability) is necessary in order for the oil to maintain a lubricating film between these parts. Unlike antifreeze, which is 95 percent one chemical base (usually ethylene glycol), oil contains a mixture of several different types of base oil, some more expensive than others. Motor oil companies typically produce five groups of oils, each of which is produced differently and with different viscosities. The more expensive, more highly processed groups may, in some cases, be classified as synthetic. So-called full synthetics contain chemicals that can be derived from petroleum, but they have changed so much that they can no longer be considered natural oils. The base oil package is in the range of 70 to 95 percent of the mixture, the rest consists of additives. Does this mean that an oil with only 70 percent base oil is better than one with 95? No, because some of the base oils have natural characteristics that come from their processing, which reduces or eliminates the need for additives. While some additives make an important contribution to lubrication, they are not essential on their own. The ingredients in an additive package vary in cost, as we have said, but price is only one factor. Some of them work better in certain combinations of base oils, and some of the less expensive ones are good mix choices because they have popular additives. Bottom line: each engine oil has its own recipe. Car companies are constantly coming up with a list of goals based on the needs of their customers (automakers, for example) and creating oils to meet those goals.
To begin with, it must be said that most of the motor oils that are sold in stores are often “left” than gasoline. In our article “Engine Oil for High Mileage Vehicles”, we will tell you how to choose the right engine oil, what characteristics it must have, and what you should always pay attention to when buying. Very often they try to disguise counterfeit motor oils under the names of very recognizable brands - LUKOIL, Castrol, BP and Shell. The possibility that you will buy the left oil is very high if you take it in some unknown store.
Most importantly, strange kiosks and car markets often sell "leftist", and spare parts stores can also just run into a fake. It often happens that even in large hypermarkets, batches of counterfeit motor oils are delayed. You can buy 100% real oil only at the nominal filling stations of Shell, LUKOIL and TNK-BP. If, nevertheless, you decide to buy oil in an unusual place, then it’s better to buy some unpromoted brand, for example, Motul or Liqui Moly, because. they are not often faked. Nevertheless, my advice to you, when buying oil, be sure to keep the check itself, including the canister, in case of a change. Maybe needed.
Well, now it's time to understand the conventions. For many people, this is a "filkin's letter". If you look at the label of engine oil, you can see the designation - 10W40. What does it mean? This is the SAE viscosity. For example, 10 is the thickening index. The lower the number, the more low temperatures the oil will be able to withstand. These thickening (or thickening) indices can be from zero to fifteen.
Now let's talk about the 2nd digit (in our example, it is 40), which indicates the viscosity at the highest engine temperature - about 100 degrees. And again, as with the first number, the larger the number, the thicker the oil will be, there is a viscosity from 30 to sixty. This means that an oil with a viscosity of sixty will be the thickest. But what does the mysterious letter between 2 indices mean? The letter W means the word WINTER (from English winter), respectively, means the time of the year when this oil can be used, i.e. this is the season of use. So, in our case, this is a “winter” oil.
How then to figure out what kind of oil should be poured into your car with high mileage? Everything is not difficult at all! Open the annotation and read it. In the annotation for your car, it will certainly be written what the characteristics of the engine oil should be. If in the winter season you often have problems with the car, the engine does not start well, then we recommend that you fill in the oil with the lowest thickening index. Say, instead of the recommended 10W40, fill in 5W40. We guarantee that in the summer with such oil there will be no problems. It is not recommended to fill in oil with the highest viscosity unless you are a specific rider. Well, riders should also keep in mind that high viscosity leads the engine to "oil starvation". Instead of getting the oil where it should be, it begins to accumulate inside the cylinder head. So, for example, Russian race car drivers in the 80s did the following, they specially machined oil channels in their own racing Zhiguli and poured Castrol Formula RS oil with a viscosity of sixty into them, i.e. twice as much as needed.
Another designation according to the API benchmark is the property index. It looks like two huge Latin letters, SF. The quality of the oil should be determined by the 2nd letter, the further it is in alphabetical order, the higher quality the oil will be. SF oil is suitable for VAZs and foreign cars of the 80s, but SG oil is suitable for many new imported cars of recent years.
Oil with the SF index is recommended for many cars in Russia. If instead of it, you fill in SG oil, it will be great, but then I do not advise you to experiment. In most cases, all very high quality oils are synthetic. If your car needs mineral oils, then "synthetics" will only harm you. What is the risk? Increasing oil consumption - it will break through worn oil seals. The main task of any synthetic oil is to protect the motor from a “wedge”, and not to increase its wear resistance. At first, all modern motors are durable, so they do not have time to wear out. Not a single motor is protected from oil overheating. In the lubrication system of any motor that runs on mineral oil, resinous deposits constantly accumulate. Synthetic oils are good detergents. Deposits washed from parts clog oil channels and lead to a "wedge" of the motor. If you decide to change engine oil from mineral to synthetic, then do not forget to wash your own engine before that and very painstakingly, otherwise you will completely kill the old engine. To flush the motor, you need to use a specially selected composition.
Some experts say that switching from mineral to semi-synthetic oil is not dangerous - it is not. The concept of "semi-synthetics" is ambiguous. This is a mineral oil with additives and a mixture of mineral oil and synthetic. In addition, the ratios can be anything - one stallion / one hazel grouse.
"Very good oil" will do your old car with high mileage more harm than good, taking into account if your car has crossed the age of five. Russian new cars of Korean and Chinese production will not be of much use either. For owners of European cars, it is better to check with the dealer. Due to the fact that engines are usually updated infrequently, variations are likely here.
Well, the last. Often there are cases when it is urgently necessary to fill in engine oil. For this option, it is better to stock up on 1 liter of oil and carry it with you after each regular change. But if you don’t have a spare oil with you, you can fill in another oil, the main thing is that this oil has the same characteristics as the filled one, or at least with a slightly higher viscosity and properties recommended by the API standard.
