Mobil Life engine oils for used vehicles. Engine oil for high mileage vehicles Mobility oil for high mileage engines

18.10.2019

As you know, during operation it is subject to a certain wear and tear. If you do not go into details, the cylinder walls gradually wear out, the gaps between mating parts increase, etc.

However, most of the recommendations for selecting engine oil are based on the requirements of the engine manufacturer, and these requirements are more focused on the new engine. It is quite obvious that if the power unit has traveled 100-150 thousand km, then this must be taken into account when selecting a lubricant.

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How to choose oil if the engine has high mileage

Let's start with the fact that it is necessary to additionally take into account the wear of the internal combustion engine on engines that have traveled, on average, 100 thousand km. and more. As a rule, from the moment of buying a new car, owners fill in one type of lubricant, for example, synthetic or oil with recommended viscosity-temperature characteristics.

It is also mandatory to take into account other lubrication parameters that are prescribed in the instruction manual. In the list of the most common options, as a rule, low-viscosity oils 0W20, 5W30 or 5W40 are marked on.

However, after the engine passes the above conditional mark of 100 thousand km, it is worth thinking separately about making some adjustments to the usual “oil program”, taking into account the natural wear and tear of the power unit.

So, before changing anything, you need to clearly determine whether certain problems arise with the motor or the internal combustion engine continues to work properly on the lubricant that has been poured into it since the acquisition of the vehicle.

Issues to watch out for include:

increased oil consumption (oil consumption for waste);
and gaskets;
increased noise during engine operation;
in the lubrication system;

If nothing of the kind has been identified, then when choosing engine oil, you must be guided by the same general rules. First of all, you should start with the performance properties of the lubricant. Lubrication must clearly comply with the recommended classification and tolerances for a particular car model.

At the same time, it is advisable to refrain from using a product that only minimally meets the permissible requirements for. It is optimal to purchase a product of the latest developments. If financial opportunities are limited, then it is better to stop at a modern middle-class lubricant.

The main thing is that the properties of the oil are higher than those of lubricants with minimum allowable requirements and specifications. In other words, it is better to purchase a suitable semi-synthetic than to opt for the cheapest mineral oil, referring to the fact that the motor is no longer new.

We also add that, regardless of the mileage and condition of the internal combustion engine, it is forbidden to use oils that are not suitable for tolerances, specifications, class, viscosity and a number of other parameters. As a rule, if you study the catalogs of motor oils, they indicate various models of cars of different years of manufacture in which one or another product can be used.

At the same time, the oils themselves, which have exactly the same tolerances as in the manual for the old car, are usually no longer there. The fact is that they were simply supplanted by more modern developments that have a higher class.

In view of the foregoing, it becomes clear that more modern oils for old internal combustion engines must be selected not according to tolerances that have changed a long time ago, but, if possible, to be used in a particular engine. Such information should be reflected in the catalogs of the lubricant manufacturer.

In parallel, it should be taken into account that some new generation motor oils are unsuitable for use in internal combustion engines of past developments. As a rule, we are talking about a lubricant that has a reduced high temperature shear viscosity (HTHS).

In modern engines, these energy-saving lubricants are used in order to reduce fuel consumption, while the design of the power unit is specifically designed for low-viscosity oil to be used in the engine.

If you pour such oil into a motor that does not involve the use of this type of lubricant, then there is a high probability of a significant increase in wear, leakage and serious damage to the power plant. In other words, the oils of this group are simply not suitable for many internal combustion engines of past generations.

Used engine oil viscosity

So, having selected the appropriate type of oil for internal combustion engines according to tolerances, you need to immediately decide on the viscosity. Note that experts, auto mechanics and experienced drivers separately recommend slightly increasing the so-called "summer" lubricant viscosity after the car's mileage exceeds 100-150 thousand km.

This should be done even when the engine is running normally on oil with a lower viscosity. If the oil consumption on the motor with mileage has increased slightly, oil seals, gaskets, etc. “sweat”, then an increase in the viscosity of the lubricant in some cases allows solving some problems.

At the same time, it is important to understand that the viscosity must still remain within the limits determined by the engine manufacturer himself. In simple words, the manual usually says that you can use, for example, 5W30, 5W40 and 10W40 in the unit.

Moreover, if the owner previously filled the motor with 5W30 grease all year round, after 100 thousand mileage it is quite possible to switch to 5W40, and after 200 thousand to 10W40. The only point that also needs to be taken into account is the regional features in which the vehicle is operated.

If the winters in the region are too cold, then using a more viscous 10W40 product may cause problems with cold starts in the winter. As you know, the most severe wear of the unit (about 70%) occurs precisely at the moment of starting a cold engine.

To prevent this from happening, the engine oil will need to be changed not only by mileage, but also seasonally. It turns out that it will have an index of 5W30 (more liquid), while in quality it is necessary to fill in a lubricant with an increased viscosity of 5W40 or 10W40.

This approach allows you to ensure a confident start and reduce wear in winter, as well as protect parts in summer. The fact is that a more viscous oil allows you to increase the pressure in the lubrication system and compensate for the gaps increased as a result of wear.

Also, in some cases, the use of a thicker lubricant can reduce oil consumption for waste, get rid of fogging of oil seals and gaskets. Simply put, the natural wear of the internal combustion engine often leads to deviations from the normal operation of the motor. In such a situation, much depends on the viscosity of the oil.

First of all, if problems arise, it is advisable to abandon low-viscosity lubricants and energy-saving oils. As mentioned above, reduced low-temperature and high-temperature viscosity can lead to the fact that existing problems will manifest themselves in full.

Given the wear of the engine, the thickness of the protective film when using low-viscosity oils may not be enough, and such a film also becomes less durable. It is quite obvious that under such conditions, the mating surfaces of the parts wear out even more intensively and are quickly damaged.

In parallel with this, low-viscosity oils are characterized by a significant tendency to evaporation. In simple words, the lubricant is consumed faster for waste, and also more actively enters the combustion chamber through the oil scraper rings. As a result, the owner has to add lubricant more often and in a larger volume.

If we take into account that after the internal combustion engine reaches operating temperatures, such lubricants become very thin, additional losses occur through gaskets, seals and other seals, which over time are not able to maintain maximum tightness.

It turns out that in problem situations it is necessary to pour oil with increased viscosity at engine operating temperatures, for example 5W-50, 10W-50, etc. It is also important to select a lubricant not only for viscosity, but also to adhere to the recommended tolerances and specifications. In the complex, a qualified selection of lubricant will extend the life of the engine up to.

What is the best oil for a high mileage engine

If you carefully study the fuels and lubricants market, then you will notice that there are products on sale with the same specifications, which at the same time differ in viscosity and oil base. In other words, for example, a product with an index of 10W40 can be mineral or semi-synthetic, 5W40 will be a semi-synthetic or hydrocracked oil, etc.

So, the difference in viscosity and the distinctive properties of a particular oil base in many cases allows you to get rid of the problems that are characteristic of worn-out internal combustion engines. As an example, it can be noted that mineral water, which has an SAE index of 15W40, differs in terms of kinematic viscosity when heated to 100 degrees from synthetic analogues of 5W40.

After refueling a used motor with such mineral oil at operating temperatures, a thick lubricating film is created, wear protection improves, oil pressure in the lubrication system increases, and there is less loss of lubricating fluid for waste. As a result, the old motor starts to run quieter and smoother on mineral water than on semi-synthetic oils or synthetics.

However, it should be borne in mind that some ICE manufacturers separately recommend using exclusively synthetic-based lubricants in their motors. It turns out that it is impossible to use a lubricant on a different basis. There have been cases when problems began even after using semi-synthetics in such units, not like mineral water.

We also add that we should not forget about the fact that, with the same operational properties and characteristics, mineral water, semi-synthetics and synthetics differ markedly from each other in terms of antioxidant and thermal-oxidative resistance.

This means that mineral oil oxidizes faster than others and loses its properties, that is, it simply ages. If we add to this a certain “fatigue” of the engine itself and its systems (leakage of nozzles, coking, etc.), the aging of the lubricant will occur even faster.

What is the result

Based on the foregoing, several conclusions can be drawn. First, if the engine has high mileage but runs fine, then it's best to slightly increase the high temperature viscosity of the oil without changing its base. It turns out that it is enough to switch, for example, from 5W30 to 5W40 lubricant (if the use of such a product is allowed by the engine manufacturer).

At the same time, it is necessary to continue pouring a synthetic or semi-synthetic product that has all the approvals of the motor manufacturer, meets the classifications and specifications. In other words, it is not worth switching from synthetics or semi-synthetics to mineral water only.

You can also use oils that belong to a higher class, while being suitable for a particular power unit. At the same time, it must be remembered that in engines before the year 2000, it is almost always forbidden to use oils with reduced high-temperature shear viscosity.

A common situation is when the engine already has problems during operation:

sealing elements sweat or flow;
appeared;
decreased pressure in the lubrication system;
the motor is noisy;
increased oil consumption, etc.

In this case, increasing the viscosity of the lubricant can eliminate some of the nuances and reduce noise. For the summer, you can try to fill in a thick mineral water (for example, 15W40) from the list of types of lubricants recommended by the auto manufacturer for a particular engine. At the same time, it will be necessary to return to a less viscous semi-synthetic or synthetic product (for example, 5W-40) before winter in order to eliminate cold start problems.

In the process of seasonal transitions, it is important to consider that. In some cases it helps, in others it is better to refuse such a step. For worn and contaminated internal combustion engines, the use of active flushes can lead to the final failure of the unit.

Finally, we add that it is optimal to change any viscous oils every 5-6 thousand km. regardless of base. The fact is that they quickly oxidize, and also have a lot of viscous additives in their composition. These additives at high temperatures lose their properties and "wear out".

As a result, the lubricant becomes less viscous, and the decomposition products of the additive package further pollute the oil system. As for the highly viscous mineral water, in this case it is necessary to further reduce the intervals of scheduled replacements (up to 4 thousand km.).

The effect of lubrication on the operation of an automobile engine

The right choice of brand of engine oil ensures the stability of the internal combustion engine of each car, regardless of its model and year of manufacture. The following performance indicators depend on how the lubrication system of the machine works:

Total fuel consumption.
Vehicle mileage before the next overhaul.
Lubricant consumption.
Time between full oil changes.
Wear resistance of parts and assemblies of the power unit.
Power characteristics of the engine.
Exhaust gas cleanliness.

The list presented does not include all the parameters that depend on the quality of the motor fluid poured into the tank of a particular car. The effectiveness of the lubricant used is determined by the condition of the working surfaces of the motor elements and the stability of its operation.

Starting the engine on a cold, the acceleration time of the car, the developed speed, power and other performance characteristics directly depend on the correct choice of engine oil.

The choice of oil for cars with high mileage

Lubricant manufacturers create substances suitable for various situations. Automakers, for their part, give recommendations on which components should be preferred in specific situations.

For new cars, this issue is easily solved. They are under warranty, drivers have the opportunity to contact auto service companies at any time to clarify the appropriate brand of engine oil. In addition, the vehicle passport contains detailed instructions on the appropriate lubricant for this model.

However, difficulties with the right choice arise when you need to purchase engine oil for a high mileage engine. In this case, the activities for topping up and replacing the lubricant become much more complicated.

Criticality of the traversed path

Many are interested in what mileage is the limit for a given vehicle. After all, the term "high mileage" does not give a complete picture that it is time to repair the internal combustion engine due to changes in its parts and assemblies (wear, destruction).

To determine that many kilometers have been covered, there are no unambiguous indicators in numbers. It is believed that a domestic engine that has worked for 100 thousand km has a high mileage. At the same time, the characteristics of some Japanese power units do not change after ten thousand kilometers. The average path without the need for major repairs and the risk of breakage from wear for imported engines is 150 - 200 thousand km.

If a foreign motor starts to fail before the established mileage standards, then it is operated with violations:

use of low-quality fuel;
the brand of engine oil does not correspond to the recommended one;
violation of the recommended regimen between service lubricant changes.

Compliance with the established rules when carrying out the procedure for replacing engine oil is of great importance. These activities are recommended to be trusted by experienced employees in a car service.

Features of the operation of engines after long runs

Parts and components in internal combustion engines that have come a long way have significant wear. Elements of the cylinder-piston group are especially susceptible to it. Wear of pistons, cylinders, seals and valves leads to the following violations in the operation of the power unit:

Reduced engine compression.
Increase in fuel consumption.
Deterioration of dynamic performance.
Difficulties when starting the engine.
The increase in the harmful effects of oxidative processes.
Loss of effectiveness of lubricant additives.

Switching to synthetics

The wear of the working elements of the engine is immediately reduced, fuel consumption is normalized. With the help of synthetics, metal surfaces are protected from oxidation and corrosion for a long period.

Synthetic lubricant facilitates the "cold start" of the power unit. Low viscosity gives it additional fluidity, so that the crankshaft rotates freely at low ambient temperatures. When using synthetics, fuel is saved when the engine is turned on. Start-up is fast, preventing parts from wearing out quickly.

The effectiveness of special additives

During the operation of the car, the parts of the power unit receive constant wear. There are several states of wear:

run-in stage;
steady state;
emergency condition.

Parts and components of engines with high mileage are at the last emergency stage. Their wear develops rapidly, which can lead to an early breakdown. To get out of such situations, manufacturers of motor oils have developed additional substances - additives in the lubricating fluid.

Due to the presence of an anti-wear booster, the thickness of the protective film increases. The oil layer protects the parts from the destructive friction forces that arise during the mutual contact of moving surfaces inside the motor. This technology is the most effective wear protection.

Additives that prevent the formation of various deposits and deposits do not allow paralyzing the operation of an internal combustion engine. They actively wash away the precipitation formed earlier. As a result of these additives, engine power is increased, oil and fuel consumption is reduced.

In any case, worn out motors cannot be made new and young. Experienced experts advise using lubricants with a high viscosity. For example, if the engine passport contains recommendations on the use of 5w 40 motor lubricant, you need to fill in 5w 50 brand oil instead.

This solution is a temporary compromise. It will help to even out the operation of the power unit, but will not improve its physical condition.

Operation of engines with high mileage on semi-synthetic lubricants

When using semi-synthetics in engines with high mileage, an indelible thin protective film is formed. This effect is due to the unique magnetic properties of the complex elements that make up these lubricants.

Conclusion

When choosing the right lubricant for your car, you must be guided by the recommendations of automakers. The instructions contain detailed information on the permissible viscosity and other characteristics of engine oil.

If the author were asked to invent a new science, then I would stop at automotive gerontology. And she would be engaged in the study of aging, just as her human counterpart is engaged in the aging of our body. After 100 thousand km. and the first overhaul, the car engine requires special care, in particular, the selection of oil. How to choose it correctly?

Signs of a worn engine

First you need to deal with the signs of a worn motor, when ordinary oil is already powerless. There are 5 of them in total. Mainly, these are changes in the behavior of the motor on the road, and most of them are visually imperceptible.

Check Engine button. Over time, when starting the engine from the ignition switch, its appearance becomes noticeably more frequent. This indicates a malfunction in the car's heart. Sensors report the beginning of a leak in the cylinders, an insufficiently carefully worked out fuel-air mixture.
Unstable operation of the engine. In normal mode, the motor runs properly without unnecessary knocks. As the mechanisms wear, friction appears between the mechanisms, and they begin to knock. The result is obvious - after a while, the property will add a particle not: the car will become "real estate".
Sometimes they become the cause. Erasing the electrodes can cause an insufficient ignition effect and, as a result, detonation of the fuel inside the cylinders. Hence the feeling of war in the motor.
Unpleasant odors and a change in the color of exhaust smoke also indicate engine malfunctions. Clogged exhaust paths force them to visit the interior of the vehicle. The impurities contained in them are unsafe for human lungs. With a significant accumulation, loss of vehicle control and death is possible.

Selection of oil for an age motor

The problem with choosing a lubricant for is exacerbated by the insistence on following the manufacturer's recommendations. But there are two nuances here. The first is the mandatory implementation of the recommendations during the warranty period. The second is the very warranty service ends at around 100-150 thousand kilometers. Further, the entire responsibility for maintaining the performance of the motor lies with the owner.

Many owners continue to fill in the usual oil after the odometer has passed the sixth digit. This can be done with certain reservations. If there is any suspicion, a thorough diagnosis should be made, especially if olive consumption has skyrocketed.

Refuse to buy oil from the development of shaggy years, it is advisable to give preference to recent inventions. Must be compatible with a specific motor in color, as well as match the season. The main condition is that the properties of the selected oil are an order of magnitude higher than the minimum allowable standards.

When moving beyond a hundred thousand kilometers, it is necessary to increase the viscosity of the oil. Let's look at an example. If 5w30 is poured into a new car, then after the first overhaul it is worth using 5w40 already. And from the mark of 200 thousand kilometers and completely switch to 10w40.

The best oils for high mileage engines

Already after reaching a mileage of 50 thousand kilometers, Micro-Ceramic Oil additive must be added to traditional synthetic oil. It will also fit perfectly into a mineral or semi-synthetic substance. Scope of application - all engines, including turbocharged, with a manual transmission.

The principle of operation of such an additive lies in the adhesion of the base substance with the metal elements of the motor - cylinders and more. For as much as 60 thousand kilometers, the composition protects moving parts and premature wear. In winter, it also solves the problem of cold start-up due to the gradual transition to higher viscosity oil.

A good solution would be to use GT Coat Turbo synthetic oil. It contains additives from Teflon and molybdenum compounds. Together, they cover the worn surface of key vehicle components with a protective film that also has a restoring effect. Viscosity class 10w implies its use in engines with a range of 200 thousand kilometers.

A similar product from Kroon Oil - Seal Tech - is suitable for engines with a mileage of 120 thousand km. Basic additives target worn parts. The remaining components reduce fuel consumption, prevent the formation of deposits inside the car.

conclusions

Engine oil for cars with high mileage helps keep it in good condition. But any additive is not able to replace a full overhaul. Therefore, do not put off a visit to an auto mechanic indefinitely.

By dividing the "life cycle" of the engine into three periods, ExxonMobil created a specially formulated motor oil for each of them. This is how the Mobil 1 product line was born, which includes lubricants for engines of any “age”.

I period

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 is designed specifically for vehicles with mileage up to 100,000 km. Thanks to its improved low-temperature properties, the oil eliminates high resistance in all friction surfaces, reduces the load on the engine and battery, and provides easy starting at sub-zero temperatures.

Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 provides superior protection and a highly balanced formulation to resist sludge and deposit formation and help keep engines running longer. This oil has received the approval of many automakers, incl. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Opel, Porsche, etc.

Benefits of Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40:

Ensuring the fastest possible cold start
Improved fuel economy
Preservation of original performance properties with extended oil change intervals
Deposit minimization
Ensuring the cleanliness of engine parts
Compliance with the latest specifications of car manufacturers
Protection of engine parts against wear under conditions of high temperatures and loads due to the increased thickness of the oil film

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 is a 100% synthetic engine oil. This energy-saving oil reduces pumping losses due to its low viscosity, it easily enters the rubbing pairs. It does not lose its ability to retain its protective properties even under high thermal loads. Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 meets API SJ/SL/SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 and A3/B4 requirements, has VW 505.00 and 502.00, MB 229.5 and 229.3 approvals, Porsche Special Oil, BMW Long Life Oil, GM LL -A-025 and LL-B-025 recommended by Saab.

II period

In the engines of cars with a mileage of more than 100 thousand km. Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W50 is recommended. With a balanced package of detergents, antiwear additives and antioxidants, it reliably protects the engine for a long period of time.

Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-50 protects engine parts from premature wear while maintaining optimum performance.

Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-50 delivers all the same benefits as the previous product. In addition, it provides:

Comprehensive engine protection
Strengthening protection under variable loads
Reduced oil consumption in used car engines due to higher viscosity

The gaps between the engine parts of a car with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km. slightly oversized so that, with a higher viscosity than New Life, Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-60 is ideal for servicing it. In addition, the consumption of this oil is less. The product complies with API SJ/SL/SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 and A3/B4, approved by VW 505.00, MB 229.3 and Porsche Special Oil.

III period

Engines of cars with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km are more sensitive to mechanical loads that increase from accelerated wear and require the use of oil with enhanced protective properties. Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 engine oil has been developed specifically for these vehicles.

Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 has a low volatility which reduces waste consumption and the need for topping up. It contains a high concentration of seal swell regulators to help prevent oil leakage in used car engines.

According to its characteristics, Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 is similar to the oils described above, but differs from them:

Greater concentration of anti-wear additives for engine protection
Reduced oil consumption due to a specially selected concentration of additives that control seal swelling

Vehicles with high mileage require the use of more viscous oils. Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 provides optimum oil film thickness to protect engine parts. The high viscosity of Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 prevents it from leaving loose gaps or evaporating at high temperatures. The content of additives in the oil is increased: anti-wear - for improved protection of parts; seal swelling regulators - to eliminate or reduce leakage through worn seals.