Is it possible to mix motor oils. Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers? Characteristics of motor oils Is it possible to mix motor oils

Is it possible to mix motor oils.

What happens if you mix 5w30 with another oil?

It often happens that engine oil runs out absolutely suddenly, and there is simply no one at hand the same as it was filled in. The most difficult thing in this situation is for those who find themselves on the highway, where they still have to go and go to the nearest store ... What to do? In fact, everything is not as terrible as it might seem at first glance, and here's why.

You should start with theory. We will look at the main reasons that cause “headaches” for car owners, and we will prove why most of these problems are nothing more than myths.

First.“I have a low-viscosity 0w20 oil, and you can only add the same oil, otherwise the motor will break.” Engine oil in modern engines performs not only lubricating functions, but also works as a hydraulic fluid. For example, the same VTEC valves or VTC gear. Normal operation of the mechanism is impossible without oil pressure at the corresponding point. And if the conversation turned to pressure, it means that requirements are made to the oil not only in terms of “film thickness”.

Most likely, this is why, in the vast majority of modern engines, low-viscosity oils, which have increased fluidity, are recommended to work as a hydraulic fluid. For example, 0w20 oil is recommended for most modern Honda engines. In addition, modern oils must have enough alkaline activity to wash out traces of dirt from such thin places, such as a VTC valve. If you don't change your oil on time, or if you don't use a very good oil, you'll get dirt and engine problems.

In the long run, choosing the wrong engine oil can lead to serious problems. But, in the short term, everything is not so scary. Fresh oil, even with a viscosity of more than 0w20, will be able to properly perform its functions. This can continue for quite a long time, which will be enough to drive 2000-3000 km on the highway. Further, it will be desirable to replace the oil with the one required from the catalog. In the city it is easier and more correct to use the prescribed oil, in order to avoid the need to change the oil after 2000 km.

Second.“Different oils have different additives and you can damage your engine if the oils react with each other.” The quality of lubrication of all motor oils, except for very bad ones, or very expensive and good ones, has become approximately the same in the modern world. Yes, each manufacturer tries to add some additive to engine oil that provides it with “smoothness and silkiness”. Naturally, each manufacturer believes that only his engine oil can help get rid of all engine problems. In fact, believe me, there is no engine oil that can cure the engine of problems. Each oil can either “reveal” these problems, or “hammer” them deeper for the time being, so that it is not visible. Then they will still come out, and will have to be repaired. And this means that it is almost impossible to spoil the engine by filling in “the wrong oil from another manufacturer”. If the oil was, say, Mobil 5w30, and you had to add Castrol 5w30 - the maximum that would be negative - the positive aspects of the “mobile” and “castrol”, which were in the oil in the form of additives, would disappear. But It is impossible to “kill” a whole engine by topping up the “wrong” oil. We declare with all responsibility that if the engine “broke down” from another oil, then it had 2000 km left to live.

Third.“If there was 5w40 oil in the engine, then you need to add 5w40 and nothing else.” Ideally, yes, it is better that at least the viscosity is the same. On the other hand, a short-term ride (no more than 3000 km) on a full “pickup” will also not greatly damage the engine, which, in principle, is still doing well, and the leak occurred, for example, due to damage to the pan. That is, you can fill in 5w50, 0w20, and 10w40. Nothing terrible will happen, nothing will jam, and it will not shoot into the air. If the engine consumes such an amount of oil into the atmosphere that you have to add different grades - you don’t have to worry either - the capital is closer than ever, and the engine doesn’t “play the violin” anyway. Relax, and move on, just adding any oil at all.

Fourth.“There was Honda 5w20 oil, they offer Honda 5w30 (or even cooler - 0w20), can you mix?”. Here it is worth remembering a simple rule - almost all oils of the same line from the manufacturer can be "crossed" with virtually no serious consequences. That is, the entire Castrol Magnatek, in extreme cases, can be mixed with each other. And also with the entire line of Mobile, or Motul. So you can mix.

Fifth.“I have synthetic oil, but they offer me semi-synthetics.” This is the most common oil selection brake. The problem most often is that a person does not know how to determine where real synthetics are and where they are not, and believes the stickers on the canister. Most modern oils are not synthetic and can be mixed with no problem at all.

But what will happen if you still mix real synthetics with "non-synthetics"? Our answer: NOTHING terrible. Here it is necessary, as in an old joke, to choose “Do you want checkers, or do you want to go?”. If you do not arrange races in the red zone, then half of Russia can be driven on a mixture of “synthetics” and “non-synthetics”. You will arrive at the end point of the trip - change it to the right one, and that's it. If you are in the city, of course, it makes sense to look for oil similar to what is poured into the engine, but if there is no such oil in the city, then you will have to go on a “pickup”.

Conclusion. If you look at all of the above factors, you can find a simple solution to the question that the person faces at the beginning of our article. What to do if in the middle of the track you find that there is very little oil on the dipstick, but you have to go? The easiest option is to stop any passing car and ask to sell you any oil. Absolutely anyone.

Remember one simple rule - it's better to drive with different grades of oil than without it at all. When you get to the place, drain this “compote”, get rid of the problem and fill in the oil that you consider necessary for your engine.

In other cases, if oil is available (for example, in the city), it is better, after all, to add oil of the type that is filled in the engine of your car. Do not forget that in modern engines, oil is not only a lubricant, but also a hydraulic fluid for some systems.

P.S. We still do not recommend flushing the system even after “multi-grade oil”. Better change your oil more often.

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Expertise

OIL COMPATIBILITY

IS THE MIXTURE ROCKING?

ALEXANDER BUDKIN

Remember, dear reader, when you first heard that "mineral water" should not be mixed with "synthetics". Let's try to guess: around the time when they learned that motor oils are mineral or synthetic and that this is not at all the same thing. Guessed? Even more confident that you hardly ever read about oil compatibility tests. Even the specialists with whom we often communicate try to avoid this topic - there are almost no generally recognized compatibility criteria, there are very few test methods, etc. And besides, which company benefits from saying that its oil is compatible with others. Wouldn't it be better to tell customers to only buy your product? In general, we decided to cheat.
WHAT DID YOU TEST
It is unlikely that there will be fans of mixing two or three different engine oils in equal proportions and pouring this mixture into the engine. Mixing most often occurs when replacing one oil with another, when topping up or ... flushing. Yes, yes, don't be surprised. Often washed precisely so that the oils do not mix. When switching, say, from mineral to synthetic, the master in a car service will certainly say: always with flushing. At the same time, the old and new engine oils really do not mix, but mixing still occurs: first, the old oil with flushing oil, and then flushing oil with fresh oil.
To test compatibility, we bought two mineral oils, two semi-synthetic, two synthetic and two flushing oils. Checked each with each!
Oriented, like ordinary buyers, according to the inscriptions on the canister. Written "semisynthetic" or "synthetic blend", we consider that this is a semi-synthetic oil, without going into details. It says "fully synthetic", please - represent the synthetic diaspora. So, we have become standard-bearers: from mineral oils - "Spectrol Super Universal" and "Sintec" (both levels SF / CC with a viscosity of 15W40), from semi-synthetic - "Esso Ultra" and "Valvolin Dura Blend" (both SJ / CF, 10W40 ), from synthetic ones - "Castrol GTX Magnatec" and "Shell Helix Ultra" (SL / CF, 5W40), finally, from flushing - "Luxoil flushing oil" and "LUKOIL Auto Flushing" (see photo).
HOW WE CHECKED
Since sane people do not dilute different oils, it did not make much sense to mix them in our experiments in a 1: 1 ratio. When changing the oil, the so-called non-draining residue averages about 10% (it is believed that it can range from 5 to 20%). Therefore, the methodology (Ministry of Agriculture), which was recommended to us by experts, involves checking the compatibility of two samples after mixing them in proportions of 1:9 and 9:1. These mixtures are kept for a long time, or heated and kept, or ... However, consumers do not need to know how they are tortured. It is more important to ask the same experts how they evaluate compatibility.
Appearance - one, viscosity check - two, alkaline reserve - three, ash content - four ... Enough, perhaps. And so much comes up: eight samples "each with each" multiplied by two concentrations (1:9 and 9:1), multiplied by three tested parameters - this is already several hundred digits! How is compatibility determined? Of course, it is visually assessed whether a precipitate has formed. Then the three named parameters are compared for the mixture before and after aging (appearance does not count). If they begin to deteriorate over time, for a non-working mixture of oils, this means incompatibility.
It is clear that there is no reason to introduce the "two by three meters" table. Let's just talk about the most interesting results.
WHAT GOT
There are at least three such results. First and foremost, experts stated that the method used (and it has existed for more than a day) did not reveal any incompatibility. Optimists will exclaim "Hurray, you can mix everything!", And pessimists will probably say something very unflattering about the methodology. Let's try to stay "above the fray".
We have repeatedly turned to pundits before with a prosaic question: is it possible to kill a motor with a mixture of oils? Each time we received a cautious answer: we do not know such cases. As a rule, all the rumors that someone mixed “synthetics” with “mineral water” and because of this ruined the engine are nothing more than horror stories. If Uncle Vasya screwed up the engine, it was not at all because he "interfered", but because he strove to buy cheaper oil and ran into a fake.
The test results presented here have confirmed that catastrophic changes in the mixture of motor oils do not occur. However, as always, cautious experts emphasize that we are talking about a specific technique.
In other words, a mixture of two synthetic oils will not be worse for the motor than a cheap "mineral water", although it may not work like each (or at least the best) of the two samples before they are mixed. But testing is another matter altogether. Instead of several hundred simple tests, several very complex ones will be required. We will probably deal with this in due course, but for now we will talk about two more results.
Of the abundance of mixtures, there were three that, from the point of view of the layman, behaved unscientifically - the properties of the mixture did not deteriorate with time, but, on the contrary, the alkalinity increased slightly. Scientifically, this is called "synergism". Approximately, like waves in the sea: two small ones, overlapping each other, form one big one.
So, in a pair of "Esso" - "Castrol" (90% + 10%), the initial alkalinity of the samples was 6.40 and 8.56 *, after mixing it became 6.48, and eventually increased to 9.90. For Valvolin (from the original 7.99) and Castrol, it has changed from 8.50 to 9.11. And in another combination - 10% Castrol and 80% Shell (from the original 8.78) - it turned out to be 8.57 and 9.80, respectively.
This suggests that some chemical processes are taking place in the mixture, but no one will undertake to say how they will end after 10-15 thousand km of service. A domestic methodology has not been developed for such cases, and therefore we must admit here: the oils are compatible in this case too. Finally, another promised result. It is also very indicative, although it is unlikely to surprise anyone. Since the initial alkalinity of flushing oils is always less than that of motor oils - in our case - 4.01 and 2.97 - the addition of 10% "flushing" to fresh oil reduces its ability to neutralize oxidation products. Let's say for a pair of Shell (90%) and Luxoil (10%) from 8.78 and 8.00. But does this mean that it is harmful to flush the motor, because the alkaline reserve is also low in mining?
In a word, tests, as it often happens, having answered one main question, raised many others. With a sufficient degree of certainty, one can only repeat: a small admixture of one oil in another when replacing it cannot "screw up" the engine, no matter what the "experts" say. But we are even more confident that compatibility testing in various aspects should be continued. So stay tuned for the next posts.

*The absolute alkalinity values ​​obtained here cannot be compared with previously published results for these and other oils due to the methodological features of determining the indicator in this and previous works.

Spectrol Super Universal; API SF/CC; SAE 15W40.

Sintec; API SF/CC; SAE 15W40.

Esso Ultra API; SJ/CF; SAE 10W40.

Valvoline Dura Blend; API SJ/CF; SAE 10W40.

Castrol GTX Magnatec; API SL/CF; SAE 5W40.

Shell Helix Ultra; API SL/CF; SAE 5W40.

Almost all motorists know that the technical condition of a car depends entirely on the quality of engine oil and the frequency of its replacement. According to the instructions, every 7-10 km the car needs it. A newly purchased car is sold with a pre-filled service center with oil, which is recommended by the manufacturer and is ideal for the power unit. At the same time, the agent of one brand at the service station is changed without preliminary flushing, since it is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and does not cause concern. This scheme is the best for maintaining the "health" of the machine. But in practice, things look different.

Can I mix with different specifications? Can engine oil be mixed or not? Will this affect the operation of the motor? Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers? Eternal questions on which constant disputes of motorists are conducted.

Some believe that this is absolutely impossible to do, since the stage of washing the motor will be completely excluded. Others assure that there is nothing wrong with this, and this will not affect the operation of the motor in any way.

Both sides are right in their own way. In fact, oils can be mixed, but wisely, following certain rules. Otherwise, it is possible to harm the motor, the result will be its repair.

Can different oils be mixed? Reasons why this is allowed:

• Forced need to add oil.
• Lack of the desired brand of product.

Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers? What do experts think about it?

• Mixing is allowed only for oils of the same category. This is the only way to avoid negative consequences with internal combustion engines.
• Mixing is permissible only if the driver plans to drive for a short period of time.

The main point of this procedure is the formation of a new chemical composition, the effect of which is impossible to predict.

When mixing oils from different manufacturers, it should be remembered that even with a thorough removal of the oil, some part of the waste remains. The result is pairing it with a fresh lubricant that they don't have full compatibility with. Many motorists fear that such a formula will not ensure 100% engine performance.

Mixing theory

As mentioned above, the combination of different oils is possible, but only subject to certain factors that need to be treated with special attention. In order to deal with this issue in more detail, you should know what types of oils are.

Synthetic

It is an oil based on artificial chemicals.

Advantages:

• low evaporation;
• good fluidity at low temperatures;
• in terms of viscosity, it reacts little to temperature fluctuations;
• high durability;
• requires fewer additives.

Mineral

Its most important component is oil. Some call this species organic.

Advantages:

• Environmentally friendly - the amount of chemicals is kept to a minimum.
• Budget cost, which is sometimes a decisive factor when choosing.
• Versatility.
• Availability. Available at all auto shops.

semi-synthetic

The name itself suggests that this is a combination of the first two types of oils.

Advantages:

• Low cost. The price is second only to mineral oils.
• Compatible with vehicles running on any fuel.
• Low evaporation.
• Prevents the formation of limescale.

Allowed combinations of oils:

1. Mineral water with semi-synthetics. If mineral lubricant was previously used in the motor, then mixing with semi-synthetics is permissible. Synthetics with a polyalphaolefin base are also suitable. The following types of oils can also be poured into: polyester, silicone, glycol. In this case, one should take into account such a nuance as the chemical composition of the synthetic product.
2. Synthetics and its mixing. Is it possible to mix the oil with other oils when it comes to synthetics? Almost all today's commodity producers develop products according to European standards. This allows them to be mixed. But it is not a fact that the result will be positive. In some cases, the following troubles may occur: precipitation, foam. They are just kept to a minimum compared to other types of oils. The minimum number of flaws indicates that you have purchased a high-quality product. Before mixing oils, it must be taken into account that you must carry out the first maintenance with oil recommended by the manufacturer, flushing the systems beforehand.
3. Mixing synthetics and semi-synthetics. If at the time the oil level in the car fell, you had synthetics filled in and only semi-synthetic oils were available, you are saved. Tools such as 5W40 and 10W40, you can mix safely. This viscosity will range from 6W40 to 8W40. The best option is a combination of existing oil with a better one. In other words, semi-synthetic oils can be diluted with synthetic ones. Mixing synthetics with semi-synthetics is allowed only in critical cases.

   

4. Production of one commodity producer. According to many experts, it is possible to mix engine oils of the same brand. This statement is true, since oils from one manufacturer are very similar in chemical composition. In other words, they have the same base, and their chemical composition contains an identical set of additives. Based on this, mixing oils of the same brand is quite acceptable. In addition, motorists should be aware that sometimes there are situations when the same oil is sold under different brands.
5. Oils from various manufacturers. Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers? One of the risky mixing options, since no one guarantees 100% efficiency due to different manufacturing processes. But this does not mean that the result will immediately be negative. It happens that when combining such oils, minimal foaming and imperceptible sediment are observed. Unfortunately, this happens quite rarely.



Mixing oils 5W30 and 5W40

Oil 5W30 and 5W40 can be mixed. For example, if you have a sharp drop in the liquid level on the road and there is no stock of 5W40 synthetics, but there is a similar liquid with a similar label and markings, but from an outside manufacturer, in this case your manufacturer's 5W30 oil will help you. When adding the specified liquid to the motor, there will be no problems with the operation of the engine. The maximum that can happen is a slight decrease in viscosity. When using all-weather fluid 5W30 or 5W40, the engine starts at a temperature of 35 degrees. The result of this mixing will be small changes in the coefficient of thermal viscosity. This result is also not critical, since the negative side will be visible only when the motor is running at an elevated temperature. The driver will just have to take care of the car a little and not overload it.

1. It is recommended to add to the engine only the oil that was originally poured into it.
2. If it is possible to use this type of liquid, products of a similar brand should be used.
3. When buying a product, it must be taken into account that the same commodity producer is able to produce oils under different brands.

Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers in an emergency? Critical cases involve the use of other types of products. At the same time, it is necessary to minimize the number of loads and correct the situation as soon as possible by replacing it with the recommended oil.

Little tricks about gear lubricants

It is possible to mix gear oils or not, we will consider in more detail. This problem occurs only when the conversation is about the car engine. This rarely happens, but it happens when there is a decrease in the level of lubricant in the gearbox. The answer is quite simple: transmission fluids can be mixed, but only under the conditions specified for motor oils. They should be similar and practically identical in chemical composition. Such a mixture will allow any motorist to safely drive in a gentle mode for several thousand more kilometers. After the end of the journey, the liquid will have to be drained and replaced with the one recommended by the manufacturer.

It is strictly forbidden to mix motor products and transmission products. Ignoring this recommendation will result in loss of engine performance. You will learn just a killer mixture.

In any case, for efficient engine operation, after mixing the oils, you will have to return to the oil recommended by the manufacturer. Before this, it is necessary to carry out the procedure for flushing the engine:

1. Drain the obsolete agent. Give the car the opportunity to stand a little, so that it merges to the maximum. If possible, tilt the vehicle alternately to both sides. Thus, more liquid will drain.
2. Install a new filter and fill with the manufacturer's recommended oil.
3. For three days, try not to overload the machine until the motor gets used to a different kind of product.
4. The next oil change procedure should occur after 10 thousand km.

The engine flush procedure is completed. If you doubt the cleanliness of the engine, shorten the service interval and take the car to a service station.

Consider the characteristics of motor vehicles from different manufacturers.

Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 A3/B4

Castrol oil is widely known to motorists for its high degree of reliability and quality. Most high-speed cars use this brand of oils.

When operating a car, motorists should remember that a large percentage of engine wear occurs as a result of starting it. A3/B4 oil allows you to protect it right from the start.

Simple oil, when the engine is idle, does not linger on it, thereby exposing the most important parts of the power unit. Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 A3/B4 wraps around every part of the engine, covering it with a heavy-duty oil film, which is an additional protection at the time of starting the engine. The result of use is to minimize the risk of engine wear.

Where are Castrol Magnatec 5W-40 A3/B4 oils used?

1. Cars running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
2. Engines in which the manufacturer has approved the use of this type of oil.

• envelops and lingers on the smallest details of the engine;
• forms a dense oil film that allows you to protect the motor from the first to the last minute of starting, thereby reducing its wear;
• when combined with synthetic technology, it protects the engine at different temperature conditions;
• 100% engine protection regardless of operating conditions and types of driving;
• means of the specified brand are demi-season;
• it cannot be faked, because the manufacturer has taken care of protection.

A distinctive feature is the glow in the ultraviolet spectrum. This development of the manufacturer allows consumers to easily distinguish the original from the fake.

"Lukoil Lux SN/CF 5W-40"

Synthetic, all season. Belongs to the premium class.

Purpose:

• vehicles running on diesel fuel;
• supercharged gasoline engines that are installed in cars, minibuses and trucks.

Domestic oil "Lukoil Lux SN / CF 5W-40" refers to synthetic. Judging by the reviews of motorists and tests, this is by far one of the most reliable lubricants in its price category.

It is an officially registered Russian product. Provides the maximum level of protection and meets all the necessary technical specifications.

• prevents the formation of lime deposits in the cylinder and piston at high temperatures;
• prevents the formation of sludge at low temperatures;
• has a beneficial effect on seals;
• The chemical composition of the oil makes it easier to start the engine in extreme conditions.

The formation of a protective film on the parts contributes to maximum protection when starting the motor.

Advantages of Lukoil Lux SN / CF 5W-40:

• reduces fuel consumption;
• minimizes the presence of noise;
• is the best protection of the engine in any conditions;
• prevents the formation of deposits on the motor.

Lukoil Lux API SL/CF 5W-30 oil

The main scope of application is passenger cars and light trucks, for which the use of low-viscosity lubricants is recommended. Designed for engines of Ford and Renault cars. Positive characteristics are similar to the previous brand.

Conclusion

And in conclusion, it is worth noting that the purchase of motor lubricants must be carried out in a trusted specialized store, which, at your first request, is able to provide a document guaranteeing product quality. And it is best to do this in stores at gas stations. It is unlikely that anyone will answer you for the quality of products bought on the market or just at the curb.

So, we found out if synthetic oils can be mixed. We hope you find this information useful.