Motor oils and everything you need to know about motor oils. Is it possible to pour motor oil into a car's gearbox? Arguments indicating the need for filling

Long gone are the days when a car owner could use transmission oil for the bay in power unit. Previously, this was due to ignorance of all the subtleties and nuances of both liquids. Nowadays, few people are ready to brag to their friends about the fact that the car engine is not filled with engine oil, but a fluid intended for the gearbox. So is it possible to pour transmission oil into the engine or will it lead to dire consequences?

But are there any advantages to pouring transmission oil into the engine?

Eat! But this option is only suitable for those who resell vehicles and use non-motor oil as a way to make money. The fact is that the operation of a car engine with a mileage of more than four hundred thousand can be made smoother by using gearbox oil in the engine.

By increasing the fluid viscosity parameter, the power unit will not only work more clearly, but will even stop humming for a while. True, the duration of such a transformation of the engine will be insignificant. But this is just enough to sell the car. That's just new owner a vehicle that does not suspect anything about fraud will only be able to travel a few thousand kilometers. Then he will need major renovation and replacement of all components. It’s unpleasant to buy a car and, in addition, spend a lot on engine repairs.

What are the differences between oils?

Both liquids have a number of significant differences, as we said earlier. But in general, the following points can be highlighted:

1. Special engine oil is designed to operate in extreme conditions. That is, there are both high speeds and temperature changes. All this together causes increased fluidity of the liquid;
2. Gearbox lubricant is designed to perform work under stable and low temperature conditions. In addition, its operation involves high mechanical loads, which are caused by the torque elements of the gearbox design.

What happens to the engine if the oil is incorrectly filled?

Exactly, this does not bode well for the engine. If a car owner, even by accident, adds gearbox fluid to the vehicle’s engine, he will have to be prepared for such a turn of events:

• When operating in high temperature conditions, the transmission oil will begin to burn, thereby causing debris to enter the oil channels, pipes, and filter. In some cases, precipitation cannot be ruled out.
• If transmission oil gets into the car engine, the liquid will not be able to provide reliable protection to the cylinder block, shafts and other structural elements. Accordingly, bullying will begin very soon.
• The thickness and viscosity of the gearbox oil is so high that after some time the seals will squeeze out or leak.
• When scuffing occurs, transmission oil will definitely end up in the combustion chamber or catalyst. The latter may melt. In such a situation, it will have to be changed.
• The possibility of oil getting into the intake manifold cannot be ruled out. This phenomenon will lead to clogging throttle valve. The car owner will be forced to clean it if the car does not stop driving sooner.
• There will also be problems with spark plugs. They will become dirty, and the power unit will operate unevenly, to put it mildly.

It is worth remembering that engine oil and gearbox oil are completely different fluids. And not only in its composition, but also in its characteristics. Using them for other purposes can lead to a large number of problems for the car owner.

Motor oil is working fluid in the internal combustion engine lubrication system. Depending on the car brand, volumes oily liquid may vary. But knowledge about when oil needs to be added, is it possible to mix automobile oils and what happens when there is overflow or insufficient mixture, will help extend the life of the engine.

How often to add oil to the engine

There can be many reasons why you need to add engine oil. These are both natural causes and more unpleasant ones: engine breakdowns, incorrect choice of lubricant, change in oil quality, etc. To understand when it is necessary to fill the engine with fluid, you need to check its level.

If the engine is in good working order, there is no need to add mixture. This means that the lubricant level remains stable from replacement to replacement. But in the event of a malfunction of the power unit, the situation changes radically. In addition, the mixture level may remain unchanged at minimal or medium loads, but when working at high speed The engine lubricant can be used up quite quickly. By the way, ICE manufacturers usually warn about this.

The instructions should indicate what lubricant consumption is permissible. It is worth noting that this figure will be different for each individual engine. Based on the foregoing, we can draw conclusions about when and how much fluid needs to be added.

How to add oil to the engine in winter, summer, cold or hot internal combustion engine

Oil must be poured into cold engine. This is the fastest and easiest way to determine the lubricant level. This means avoiding overfilling or underfilling of liquid.

It often happens that the mixture needs to be topped up in winter, especially during severe frosts. In this case, the engine should first be warmed up, then allowed to cool. In this case, the mixture will again become fluid enough to drain and “settle” a little. When the engine cools, the fluid will be quite thin, which will allow you to determine the mixture level in the engine as accurately as possible. And when topping up, the mixture that remains will easily mix into a homogeneous composition.

But, as happens in practice, sometimes you have to add mixture to a hot engine while driving. This can happen when the fluid pressure warning light starts to light up. Here it is necessary to pay attention not only to the accuracy of the liquid level, but also to the temperature of the liquid.

If you need to top up the mixture in the summer, the main problem may be underfilling or overfilling. But if you have to add liquid in winter, then the situation is completely different.

It is important to remember that while in the trunk of a car, the canister with the mixture does not heat up. That is, if you pour such liquid into a hot engine, it risks breaking the latter or other parts of the car. In addition, it is very important to pay attention to the volume of oil poured into the engine. If from 50...100 gr. Serious troubles can be avoided when pouring liquid, but when pouring, for example, 1 liter, events will be unpredictable.

If you don’t have the right oil on hand to add

Quite often, car owners are faced with the need to add fluid of a different viscosity or from a different manufacturer, or they only have at hand diesel oil, and there is no other choice but to use it. In emergency situations, this option is possible. And, nevertheless, it is important to know in what cases you can fill in lubricating fluid from another manufacturer, how much oil to fill in the engine and other nuances.

Note that each mixture differs from each other in its set of active chemical additives. Therefore, it is not recommended to mix different brands, even from the same manufacturer. This can lead to the additives reacting with each other and a precipitate appears, due to which the liquid loses its properties.

Do not mix mineral with synthetic fluids and hydrocracking mixtures. But it is possible to mix a mineral mixture with a semi-synthetic one, or vice versa. It is also allowed to add liquid with a synthetic base to semi-synthetics and vice versa. But it’s better not to mix hydrocracking mixtures with anything. But if there is an urgent need, then you can use a mineral mixture. Well, if there is absolutely no choice, then any mixture is better than no mixture. But this is an absolute last resort.

It is worth clarifying that the most acceptable method is mixing liquids from the same manufacturer that have the same base. In this way, you can reduce possible troubles to a minimum.

Regarding mixing mixtures intended for gasoline and diesel engines, then in emergency cases this is acceptable. Since the set of characteristics, the diesel mixture is similar to gasoline.

In any case, if there is a need to add fluid, then, in addition to the recommendations given, you should also not load the engine while moving. And of course, change the oil along with the oil filter as soon as possible.

How much oil does it take to change?

Before you fill your car with oil, you need to know how much oil is needed. You can find this information:

• in the instruction manual;
• from a service technician specific brand car;
• through a request to the official representative of the brand, etc.

In addition, information about tolerances and requirements for mixtures will not be superfluous. Plus, it’s worth considering some nuances when replacing fluid:

• the machine must be on a level surface;
• Before draining the fluid, the engine must be warmed up;
• It will not be possible to completely remove the mixture by draining after opening the plug in the pan or by draining the oil through the filler neck;
• before replacing oil filter, you should wet the filter element by pouring a little oil into it.

One more point: the volume indicated in the manual is complete. That is, such an amount is poured into only assembled engine. But, if the engine has already been used, the amount of lubricant will be less. Taking into account the above nuances, about 0.5 liters of mixture may remain in the engine. Accordingly, it is impossible to add the full volume specified in the instructions.

After replacing the fluid, you should monitor its level using a dipstick. Or using electronic sensors that are equipped with some brands of cars. The probes have minimum and maximum marks. And the optimal mixture level is considered to be between these indicators. If the engine is worn out or has increased consumption, then some owners deliberately exceed the level by 1...1.5 cm, but do not bring it to the maximum level.

Consequences of excess and deficiency

The limits within which the liquid level should be were described above. But what consequences can occur with an excess or lack of mixture, we will analyze further.

Overflow

Some car enthusiasts believe that if there is an excess of the mixture, it will not harm the vehicle. But this is a misconception. The engine mixture has a certain viscosity and in case of overflow, the resistance to any movements will become even greater. The consequences of this are increased fuel consumption. This is the most harmless thing that can happen.

There are other consequences:

• contamination of all spaces under the hood and replacement of seals;
• difficulty starting the engine during frosts;
• oil starvation of engine elements caused by foaming of the composition;
• the formation of a large amount of carbon deposits, the appearance of coke inside the cylinder-piston group, and the “occurrence” of rings.

Underfilling

But not only an overflow of fluid can harm the engine, but also a lack of it. In this case, the mixture either does not arrive at all, or arrives, but in very small quantities.

Another trouble is the formation of air pockets inside the liquid that will move through the channels.

How to determine how much oil is in the engine

A lot depends on how much oil is in the engine. It is described above within what limits this level should be. But let’s look at how to check it in more detail.

Step-by-step instruction:

• park the car on level ground;
• let the car sit for several hours. This is necessary so that the mixture completely flows into the pan. Of course, if an approximate result is enough, then you can let it stand vehicle literally 5-15 minutes;
• find the oil filler neck. It is located at the top of the cylinder head (cylinder head). It is usually easy to recognize by its pictogram in the form of an oil can with a drop;
• unscrew the lid and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel and set it aside;
• now, with the help of clean oil dipstick, which must be inserted into the hole until it stops, you can check the lubricant level. As stated earlier, the grease height should be between the “min” and “max” marks. If the level is at the minimum mark, the mixture needs to be added accordingly.

Is it possible to add oil from another manufacturer to the engine?

Mix mixtures different manufacturers highly not recommended. This is because the compositions of seemingly identical liquids may differ. Components of one mixture may react with components of another. And this leads to unpleasant consequences, and the most harmless thing that can happen is the loss of the properties of the oil.
Video

His physical dimensions and a number of other features.

To control the lubricant level, most engines use a mechanical dipstick, but some power plants they don't have it. In this case, on dashboard implemented a separate electronic indicator. There are also combined solutions.

As a rule, during operation various reasons a decrease in lubricant level may occur. So how to continue to operate the motor with low level lubricant it is impossible, in this case you need to know how much oil to add to the engine, as well as how to do this without harm to it.

In this article, we intend to talk about when to add oil to the engine, how to do it correctly, in which cases you can add another oil to the engine without risk, and also under what conditions this can cause possible harm to the unit or is strictly prohibited.

Read in this article

How often to add oil to the engine

As already mentioned, oil is added to the engine in different cases. The lubrication level may decrease due to natural reasons or drop as a result of engine breakdowns, after incorrect selection and inconsistencies in the type of product used, changes in the properties of the lubricant, etc.

To understand whether it is necessary to add oil to the engine, you need to check its level by placing the car on a level surface. It is advisable to check the level “cold”, after several hours of inactivity, that is, when the lubricant has completely drained into the pan. For a quick check, it will be enough to wait 5-15 minutes, but such an analysis may be more approximate than accurate.

Taking into account the characteristics of a particular internal combustion engine, you can understand whether topping up is needed and how often it is necessary. In some cases, it is necessary to add lubricant, for example, every thousand kilometers, which is typical for faulty units with increased oil consumption as a result of wear, gaskets, and seals.

In other internal combustion engines, the level remains stable, that is, lubricant is not added from replacement to replacement. Also, the level can be stable in the city and in medium load modes, but after driving on the highway at high speeds, a decrease is observed. In such a situation, it should be remembered that lubricant under high load conditions is wasted, as is often stated by the engine manufacturers themselves.

Moreover, the manual may separately indicate that oil consumption is not only acceptable, but also within what limits it is normal for a particular engine. Based on all that has been said, you can understand what frequency of topping is suitable in a given case.

How to add oil to the engine: in winter, in summer, in a cold or hot internal combustion engine

Let's start with the fact that adding lubricant is often done when it is cold. It is added to a cold engine because it is easier and faster to determine the required level, that is, to avoid possible underfilling or overfilling of lubricant.

As practice shows, in winter period, especially in severe frosts, it is best to first warm up the engine, then give it time to cool, and also for the lubricant to drain and “settle.” Such preheating will allow the highly thickened lubricant to return to its proper fluidity.

After this, the engine cools down, but the lubricating fluid still remains diluted, that is, the level can be determined quite accurately. Next, topping up is done; the existing lubricant in the internal combustion engine and fresh lubricant are easily mixed into a homogeneous mass.

However, it also happens that you have to add oil to a hot engine (for example) while driving. This situation is quite common and becomes the reason for questions of the kind that would happen if the driver added cold oil to a hot engine.

In this case, it is important to take into account not only the correct level, but also what temperature the lubricant is that is being added. You should also pay attention to the volume to which such topping occurs. For a better understanding, let's imagine a standard situation when a car owner was driving along the highway, the engine was warmed up to operating temperatures, but then the light came on low pressure in the lubrication system.

Naturally, the driver stopped, turned off the power unit and discovered a low oil level. Then he immediately took a canister out of the trunk and added a liter of oil to the engine. If this happens in the summer, then the main risk will be perhaps overfilling or underfilling in level, that is, inaccuracy as a result of topping up “hot”. But if it happens in winter, then the situation is somewhat different.

It is not difficult to guess that the lubricant in the trunk will be very cold, that is, when poured into a warm engine, a strong temperature difference will occur. If, at the same time, not 50-100 grams of such lubricant are poured, but a whole liter or more, then the consequences can be unpredictable.

Experts note that in such a situation, the risk of not only exceeding or underfilling the level, but also the appearance of parts, as well as other defects in relation to individual elements ICE. Taking into account the above, it becomes clear why the engine needs to be given time to cool before adding lubricant, and this is especially important in winter.

If you don’t have the right oil on hand to add

Quite often, car enthusiasts face an urgent need to add oil to an engine of a different viscosity; they have to use a third-party lubricant; there is no other option but to top it up, etc.

Note that in some emergency situations such actions are quite acceptable. At the same time, it is important to know when you can add oil to an engine of a different brand, what type of lubricant is better to use, and how much lubricant to fill. Let's figure it out.

Let's start with what to mix Various types Lubricants from even the same manufacturer are not recommended. The fact is that each product has a unique package of active chemical additives. When mixed, these additives can react, which leads to sedimentation, the oil in the engine coagulates and loses its properties.

In this case, mixing mineral water with semi-synthetics and vice versa is allowed. You can also add a synthetic lubricant to a semi-synthetic product, and add a semi-synthetic material to a synthetic product.

It is recommended not to mix hydrocracking oils with either mineral or synthetic lubricants. However, in case of emergency, they can be mixed with mineral-based oils. Let us add that in case of urgent need and there is no choice, you can add any oil, since operation without lubrication will definitely destroy the engine.

Let's also add that the best option can be considered mixing oils from the same manufacturer that have the same base. In this case, the risks are minimal. If, for example, you add exactly the same characteristics to semi-synthetics of one brand semi-synthetic oil another brand, then undesirable reactions may well occur.

Now let's turn to the so-called universal oils, which can be equally used in diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines, and also consider the possibility of adding diesel oil to gasoline unit and vice versa.

First, diesel oil is not very different from gasoline in many respects, that is, such lubricant can be added to emergency situation. Universal oils are actually an alternative, that is, they have balanced characteristics suitable for both types of engines.

The main thing is that before adding lubricant, you must take into account the above recommendations. It is also important to remember that when driving with such a mixture of oils, you should not load the power unit.

As soon as possible mixed oil must be completely removed from the internal combustion engine, and then replaced with the one recommended for specific engine type of lubricant along with oil filter. We add that before changing the oil, you may need to additionally flush the engine or reduce the further service interval by 30-50%.

Adding oil to the engine: step-by-step instructions for beginners

• So, having made sure of the need for topping up and decided on what kind of oil will be added to the engine, you need to park the car on a level surface.
• Then let the engine cool (it is advisable to leave the car for several hours), and also allow the oil to completely drain into the sump.
• Now you need to get to the oil filler neck. The specified neck is located under the cap, which is located in the upper part. Most often, the lid has a pictogram in the form of an oil can with a drop of oil.
• Next, you should unscrew the lid, you can also wipe it with a clean rag, and then set it aside.
• Then you will need to make it yourself or insert a ready-made funnel into the oil filler neck. For self-made The top part of a plastic bottle will do, just cut off from the base.

Please note that during all manipulations, do not allow dirt, dust, debris, foreign liquids or objects to enter the oil filler neck. A homemade or ready-made funnel must also be absolutely clean.

The presence of a funnel allows you to carefully add oil, without the risk of spilling lubricant on the cylinder block and cylinder head. Oil getting on these parts will lead to subsequent burnout from high heat, the appearance of smoke and an unpleasant odor.

Also, motor oils damage rubber elements, soften insulation, all kinds of seals and similar elements in engine compartment. If oil is spilled, then it is recommended to thoroughly wipe it off with a rag.

• When topping up, oil should not be added immediately, but gradually. This means that 100-200 ml should be poured from the canister at a time. Next, you need to allow the lubricant to drain from the cylinder head into the pan. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Then the level is checked, after which you can continue to add lubricant again if necessary.
• When checking the level using the dipstick, you must first remove the dipstick, then wipe it with a clean cloth, then reinsert it into the hole until it stops and remove it again. Only after repeated removal can the lubricant level in the pan be assessed.
• After the oil level on the dipstick is strictly between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, you need to insert it tightly into the hole and screw on the oil filler cap.
• The final step will be starting the engine. Rate engine operation for extraneous noises, knocks, vibrations. Make sure that the oil pressure light on the dashboard does not light up, that the electronic level does not indicate insufficient oil, or
• Next, warm up the power unit and take a test drive. After this, it is recommended to let the engine cool, after which the oil level is checked again. If there is a noticeable decrease in the level again, fresh leaks have appeared from under the covers, oil seals or seals, traces of oil are visible under the car, then the engine needs in-depth diagnostics and repairs.

Remember, driving with low oil levels can quickly damage the internal combustion engine. For this reason, in a number of emergency cases, it is recommended to give up trying to get to the service station on your own. If the oil leaks are intense, then it is best to use a tow truck.

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Should the engine consume oil and what oil consumption is normal for the engine. Increased consumption lubrication, main causes, frequent malfunctions.

Disputes surrounding the choice of engine oil poured into the engine continue to flare up to this day. Some car enthusiasts believe that when replacing an oil filter, it is necessary to fill it with oil, while others are sure that this is a waste of time. So what should we do? How to properly replace the filter? Let's talk about everything in order. At the end, I will explain why you do not need to lubricate the rubber seal with engine oil, and also tell you what is the best way to do this.

Arguments in favor of pouring oil into the filter during replacement

I want to say right away that these are just arguments given by drivers who advocate filling the oil filter. No more.

1. The filter curtain, which is located inside the oil filter, is not lubricated with anything. When the engine starts, pressure will build up and the engine fluid will push it through. As a result, the filter will become unusable;
2. "dry friction" The volume of the filter device is about 300 ml. The first thing to do after starting the engine is the filter. As a result, the engine will be left without lubrication for a moment;
3. If the oil filter is not filled with oil, this can lead to the formation of an air lock.

“When changing engine oil, do I need to fill the filter with oil?” This question is often found on auto forums, it is especially of interest to novice car enthusiasts who have experience replacing Supplies small or completely absent. We decided to look into this issue.

Filtration device

Car enthusiasts who insist on the need to pour car oil into the filter device before installing it give the following arguments:

1. Inside the new filtering element there is a special porous material in a “dry” state - a filter curtain, it is not lubricated with motor oil. When starting the engine, the specified curtain may rupture due to the flow motor fluid under pressure.
2. The filter device has a volume of about 300 ml, which, when the engine starts, will be filled with motor oil first, then the liquid will enter the engine. Therefore, there is a possibility that “dry friction” will occur inside the power unit - this can lead to engine failure.
3. Blank lubricating fluid the filter may cause an air lock to form.

Thus, drivers recommend that before installation, fill the oil filter ¾ full with the engine mixture, then let it stand for about 30 minutes so that the filter material absorbs a certain amount of motor oil. How correct is this opinion? Let's figure it out.

Arguments against filling

The vehicle's operating manual indicates the sequence for replacing the lubricant and filter element. Take, for example, the instructions for Subaru Forester 2005 model year, it describes the filter replacement algorithm. The dealer instructs you to apply some lubricant to the rubber seal before installing the new filtration element. Nothing is said about the need to add oil to the device.

The oil filter also has installation instructions and pictograms. According to the instructions, the sequence for replacing the filter element is basically as follows:

1. Clean the seating surface.
2. Apply a little fresh oil onto the rubber ring of the filter device.
3. Set the filter to seat, tighten the device by hand.
4. Tighten the filter element ¾ turn.
5. Check for lubricant leaks.

Please note: the pictograms show a drop of motor oil above the rubber ring. Plus, the manufacturer does not indicate the need to pour motor fluid into the filter before installing it.

Conclusion

Answer to the question: “Do I need to pour oil into the filter when changing engine fluid?” obvious - no need. Such a procedure will not bring any tangible harm, but it will not be beneficial either, you will just waste extra time. This opinion is explained as follows:

1. Airlock cannot form due to a “dry” filter curtain. This statement is obvious if you study the design and operating principle of the filtration element.
2. When draining the engine mixture from the engine, an oil film remains on the internal elements of the engine. Therefore, when starting the car engine (after replacing consumables), the power unit will not run dry. Plus at idle speed, without a heavy load, the engine is able to work for some time without causing damage to its internal elements. This time is enough to pump fresh oil through the system and fill the friction units inside the engine with an oil film of the required thickness.
3. The engine fluid flow supplied by the oil pump (depending on the car model) is about 50 l/min. at pressures up to 5 bar, while the oil channels have a small cross-section. The volume of oil poured into the filtration device seems like a “drop in the bucket” compared to the total flow of the mixture pumped through the system. Therefore, a “dry” filter cannot significantly affect the operation of the engine; it will quickly fill with engine fluid under pressure.
4. “Dry” filter material cannot be torn apart by the flow of incoming motor fluid. A curtain rupture can occur in two cases: the filtration element is of poor quality or incorrectly selected (low throughput).

If the above arguments are not convincing, pay attention to the recommendations of filter device and car manufacturers. Dealers recommend lubricating the rubber ring, but not pouring oil into the device. Please note: replacement of consumables is carried out according to the requirements of the manufacturers.

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