Home Wheels Mineral or synthetic? Advantages of various lubricants in front of others

Mineral or synthetic? Advantages of various lubricants in front of others

Now in the automotive sphere uses two different-friendly oils: mineral and synthetic. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, as well as loyal supporters. In fact, the answer to the question of how oil is better - mineral or synthetic, it is necessary to give, based on their characteristics of the machine and driving features.

Mineral oils are produced by refining fuel oil or agricultural oilseeds. These methods are relatively simple, therefore it has long been used by people to create technical oil mixtures. Mineral products are distinguished low cost, high efficiency and hydrolytic stability.

Supporters of the use of mineral oils often mark the weak mechanical interaction of the solution with the parts of the motor. This reduces their wear and improves engine performance. Another common argument in favor of mineral solutions is a good coefficient of anti-corrosion education.

However, all these positive qualities oil mixture demonstrates during operation at a temperature of + 10˚ to + 25˚C. To expand this range, it is necessary to enter synthetic additives to the natural product. However, these inclusions are fused at high temperatures and increase the viscosity of the oil - at low.

To expand the working temperature range, semi-synthetic oil is now actively used. In it, natural and artificial base are mixed in proportions 50 to 50 or 70 to 30.

Synthetic motor oil

These technical fluids It is performed using the organic synthesis of oil refining products. Unlike mineral, raw materials are subjected to a deeper processing to obtain synthetic mixtures.

The wide possibilities of organic synthesis make it possible to create synthetic oils with a highly different composition. There are products based on polyalphaolefins, synthetic hydrocarbons, glycols, polyorganosyloxanes, complex and esters, etc. Regardless of this, they are high viscosity-temperature properties, chemically stable and resistant to oxidation when heated. No less important is the fact that synthetic oils are practically not settled on the parts of the engine after high-temperature decomposition.

Characteristic advantages of synthetic petroleum products:

  • increased antifriction qualities;
  • stable operation at low temperatures;
  • the coefficient of evaporation is lower than that of mineral analogs;
  • functional additives are added during production.

Despite the high price, synthetic oils is a more practical and reliable option for cars that are operated at low ambient temperature.

Which oil is it better to mix them

Effective experienced driver knows what to say directly, that better: synthetic or mineral oil, strange. If there is no need to drive a car at temperatures below + 5˚- + 10˚C, overpays extra money for the synthetics is not at all. Because there is no significant difference in the work and wear of the engine noticeably. Even with a more frequent replacement, mineral mixtures are more beneficial economically.

In some environments, it is even advisable to give preference to semi-synthetic. For example, with a large engine mileage, the synthetic product quickly fuses due to the wear of the sealing seals. Semi-synthetic oils, in most cases, confidently work at a temperature not lower than -10˚- -15˚C.

One of the advantages of "mineral water" is a gradual "laundering" of deposits from engine elements. Synthetic lubricant "scraps" by large particles, and because of this quickly clog oil filters And oil belongings.

The question of the admissibility of mixing occurs, as a rule, in emergency situationsWhen pouring the engine oil to the engine and marking is not possible. On the one hand, experts unequivocally say that it is a bad idea. First, due to mixing, an insoluble sediment is formed. It increases the wear of the DVS parts and clogs the filters. Secondly, additive components can enter into a chemical reaction and completely spoil their lubricant solution.

On the other hand, the presence of semi-synthetic on the market is a clear example of the opposite. Therefore, in special cases, two products can be mixed. The main thing is to merge this mixture at the first opportunity and replace it with normal oil.

  • When choosing a lubricant for DVS, it is recommended to rely on the recommendation of the car manufacturer.
  • In order to preserve the physicochemical properties of oil, it is necessary to prevent moisture, air, dust and foreign objects using a sealed storage vessel.
  • Lubricant varies depending on the mileage of the machine and in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the mixture. Wherein worn engines require a slightly more frequent replacement due to work in more hard conditions and the formation of a large volume of friction products.
  • With each oil change, you must install a new oil filter.
  • The current lubrication level should always be within the normal range set by the manufacturer of the car.
  • To maintain the working level of lubrication, you must keep the bank in the car of the same oil.

For several years now, like many owners two-stroke engines continue to argue about which oil is worth using on two-stroke motors, old and new, synthetic or mineral. Let's try to figure out.

First, a couple of examples from life. One friend, having bought a new engine of foreign production, stubbornly fed his "MS-20", relying on the extensive experience of operating the Soviet motors. Well, the gasoline used AI-95. Motor lived without problems, two seasons, but the third began to give failures. After some operations for setting up the carburetor, the ignition and replacement system, this light husband decided on the "opening" of the motor. It showed that the combustion chamber is literally clogged by Nagar, and the rings, as they say, "lay down". All this was implied before disassembly, but I wanted to make sure and convince the owner. The main problem of the owner, almost a killing motor (after resuscitation, the motor continues to live today), it was that he used the recommended gasoline of the AI-95 brand, but, without sobraying in the oil councils, decided to take the best of what he knew himself .

And here is another example. Let's say someone who has a good water-motor experience, once decided that no longer wants to communicate with motors domestic production And, of course, I bought an "foreign car" for which the oil for the two-strokes was picked up. For some reason, this man did not want to buy a "pre-dissolved" oil, which can be simply pouring into a canister with gasoline in the desired proportion, shake and use it to be destroyed. To the question: "Why?" The answer was as follows: "I do not trust, as it does not smear the elements of the engine badly, because it has already been dissolved."

I hope that there are enough examples from the life of domestic aksakals. Let's go back to mineral and synthetics.

So what differs mineral oil from synthetic, with the exception of the retail price?

Differences are based on. That is, the composition of the additives in them can be identical, but the basis is different. In mineral oil, it is roughly speaking and not deepening in chemistry - from oil, and in synthetic - from specially obtained chemical elements that chemists are called olefin polymers, esters, simple ethers, alcohols, etc. Different manufacturers Use various formulations and bases. Oils for double-skate motors, which are based on up to 30% of the synthetic component, produce many firms. At the same time, "Synthetic" can be written on their packaging. On the one hand, it is marketing stroke And the indication of the fact that in oil there is a synthetic component, on the other - this inscription may often mean that the oil outbreak temperature and its lubricating properties are improved compared to the "pure mineral" oil. In the oil on the packaging of which there is an inscription "Fully Synthetic", most likely, the synthetic base is 100%. Sometimes manufacturers are shy, mixing some amount of mineral. True, it is not very reflected on the oil, except that it becomes slightly lower than its biodegradability and a little more formed harmful emissions. But still, it's a shame - you pay for 100 percent synthetic oil, and you get, for example, 92- or 89 percent ...

Fully synthetic oil for two-stroke engines, i.e., 100% consisting of olefins and other elements, appeared in two main reasons: due to the requirements of ecologists and the birth of powerful and high-loaded motors, in particular, with the systems of direct fuel injection. For powerful modern, oil is required, which, firstly, has good fluidity, which is important for successfully functioning in AutoK systems, secondly, it is capable of lubricating the elements of the motor and at the same time quickly and maximizely burn out and finally, Thirdly, to quickly decompose outdoors and be as small as possible for microorganisms. The synthetic base of the oil allows you to satisfy the listed requirements, although not completely, but more successful than mineral, which has only part of the mineral base is the so-called "semi-synthetic". In a word, oil on a synthetic basis is more stable and convenient.

Today, all the oil manufacturers "go to the synthetics" are slowly, at least those who make oils for motor manufacturers. Oil is becoming more expensive, and technology for producing olefins and analogues, if not cheaper, then remain at the same level. However, in retail while "Synthetics" remains more expensive than "mineral water".

The following picture is obtained: new varieties of oils are automatically better than the previous one. Of course, in their niches. It works the principle "on ascending", i.e. in old motor It is possible to pour completely synthetic oil relatively painlessly, and in a new two-stroke motor with injection, the oil is not intended for the "classic" two-stakeholders.

So what to do and what to buy? You need to buy something that advises the manufacturer of the motor. If in "Manual" it is stated that the oil corresponding to the TC-W3 standard should be poured, and there are no other comments, you can use any mineral oil that meets this standard and confidence.

Almost all modern two-stroke motors without the AUTOMICS system can be successful, without much harm to work on modern mineral oil, having a low cost. In motors with AUTOMICS system or other but oil in a crank chamber through a special device, mineral oils can also be used, but only intended for systems of its automatic feeding, of course, if the manual does not specify that special oil should be used .

The manufacturer of modern injection two-stroke motors and two-stroke motor-powered motors indicates the inadmissibility of the use of oils, besides those indicated in the manual, this is necessary to strictly adhere to it. It is necessary to fully synthetic oil for them, because the motors were made on it.

Synthetics, which has already been said, greater than mineral water, fluidity, which is relevant for the "point" system of oil supply, as well as improved lubricant properties, creates a "stable" film that prevents dry friction even in critical cases. The higher the loading of the motor, the greater the likelihood of the appearance of critical moments, in our case - oil starvation.

It is believed that "Synthetics" works badly in motors with sliding bearings. However, although there were no special research on this topic (or there is no available information available), the practical experience of using synthetic oil suggests that it is friendly with the sliding bearings not worse than mineral water, mainly due to its penetrating properties and the ability to create a fracture-resistant film.

So, after all, is it possible to use synthetic oil in "simple two-stakeholders"? In principle, yes, the motor will not be worse, and sometimes, especially at the time of launch and in the maximum revolutions mode, it may even be better. There will also be less deposits in the combustion chamber. At the same time, good mineral oil, which has a low retail price, will allow you to move on the motor installed by the manufacturer hours, i.e. the resource. Therefore, everyone should decide here.

What is the result? Read the instruction and, if the manufacturer recommends using mineral oil, the use of synthetic is not associated, however, due to the high cost and not "encouraged". If it is recommended to use a specific synthetic oil, then mineral can not be applied, even the corresponding TC-W3 is recommended, - in many parameters it does not fit the lubrication system of a particular motor.

And last: in long-range hikes on the motels, it makes sense to take with him a jar of synthetic oil, which can be mixed with all the types of oils for push-pull motors. It is convenient and can help in a difficult moment, if not for you, then another that fell into a difficult situation.

Motor oil is an oil substance that is used to maintain car parts. Also modern oils It is also answered for cleaning from the combustion of fuel engine parts. How does mineral oil differ from other types of this product?

What is mineral engine oil?

Mineral engine oil - product distillation fuel oil. Some species are based on technical agricultural crops. In general, their production is simplified as much as possible, which makes them as cheap.

Mineral oils are effective in use, stable in action and have a minimal destructive effect on the details. It is practically not used in its pure form, so about 10% it consists of additives. But the presence of additive makes it anti-corrosion, detergents, anti-wear properties are more pronounced.

What is the difference between synthetics, semi-synthetic and mineral?

There are differences between mineral, semi-synthetic, synthetic oil species. Mineral does not respond poorly to change the temperature regime - with an increase in the temperature threshold, the additive begins to burn out, and with a decrease in the composition acquires a viscous consistency, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the mechanisms. But synthetic analogs are less responsible for temperature differences, and therefore it is stable, if the composition is characterized by high quality.

The synthetic remedy for mineral, primarily different at the level of the molecular structure. He does not require additives in such quantities, as the composition is synthesized by the necessary properties in the creation of fluid. But if a similar type "washes" engine parts, the synthetics simply scrapes the nagar with deposits. High fluidity and such an approach to cleaning often provokes filters, oil pipelines, which provokes the failure of the engine due to lack of oil. But synthetic is still considered the best option.

The semi-synthetic is an intermediate option between synthetic and mineral. It is usually preferred in cases where the machine has a large mileage, which prevents the appearance of such a factor as an increased carbonity characteristic of synthetics. Also, semi-synthetic can be preferred in those conditions when the temperature threshold does not fall below 20 degrees. But changing semi-synthetic will have more often.

Can I mix mineral engine oils?

In general, it is not recommended to mix them, since different means can have a different viscosity. But if there is an urgent need, then mineral with mineral can well be combined. It is necessary that they have about the same composition.

Is it possible to mix synthetic oils with minerals?

Mix is \u200b\u200bundesirable. There are extreme cases when mineral is mixed with semi-synthetic and hydrocracking. Oils from synthetic and mineral base can also be mixed, then only subject to the presence of PJSC in the synthetics. You can also domine the synthetic or semi-synthetic "mineral water", but in a small amount.

How to define synthetic oil or mineral?

Synthetic oil has a greater fluidity, as mentioned above. In temperature conditions from 15 to 20 degrees "Mineralka" will become more durable.

How to replace mineral oil on synthetic?

There are two methods for replacing oils on synthetics with "mineral water".

  • To replace one tool to another, you need to act according to a specific scheme. Just merge the old composition and pour a new one will not work. Initially, "mineral water" is merged, then oil moves are washed with a car shampoo for the engine. After shampoo merges, and the synthetics are poured.
  • The second version of the replacement for the synthetics - it is necessary to pour oil mineral type, but the highest quality. Next, it will be necessary to roll the kilometer in 500-1000km, and then pour the synthetics. Such a transition is considered the most gentle for car owners and their cars.

At what temperature will the mineral oil freezes?

"Mineralka" does not tolerate temperatures. If you live all year round in conditions where the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees, it is not worth worrying. But already with a decrease in temperature, the oil becomes viscous. It freezes it depending on the composition. But in general, the mark varies within -30-40 degrees.

Looking for where to buy mineral oil - Interesting offers from oils and auto chemicals in the catalog

With the advent of the first mechanisms, the question of reducing friction between interacting details was relevant. Lubricants are performed by lubricants. They significantly reduce the friction coefficient. Initially, products made on the basis of oil were used for this purpose.

Subsequently, people have learned to synthesize lubricants with certain properties. And now the question remains difficult for many motorists: what kind of oil to choose for his "iron horse" and how, actually, to distinguish one butter from the other.

What is the difference between synthetic oil from mineral?

The names of the types of oils are already allowed to guess that mineral is made on the basis of natural products (oil hydrocarbons), and synthetic is an artificial result. chemical reactions. Since mineral engine oils have characteristics embedded in them by nature itself, there was a need to create such lubricants that would have other parameters. The reason for the extreme conditions in which the parts of the automotive engine have to work. Thanks to the chemical synthesis, it was possible to obtain such oils that better meet the requirements and can differ significantly from natural analogues with their characteristics.

Now consider specifically, what differs mineral oil from synthetic, except for the origin:

  • reaction to temperature differences inside the engine;
  • the ability to maintain their initial characteristics (synthetics with this task is coping better);
  • fluidity (synthetic it is noticeably higher);
  • the ability to maintain performance with significant overheating (the additives in mineral oil gradually fade, as a result of which the parameters change significantly).


Thus, it is obvious that in contrast to mineral Oil Synthetic is capable of a long time and with extreme operating conditions successfully maintain its characteristics. In particular, it is possible to determine the type of oil by viscosity. So, at very low temperatures, mineral oil is thick. In the process of operation, the viscosity of mineral water drops, since the additives affecting this characteristic will burn out. But then decay products accumulate in oil, which leads to its thickening. Synthetic saves its viscosity more stable under different conditions.

The difference between synthetics and semi-synthetic

A compromise between different lubricants is a semi-synthetic oil. It is obtained by mixing both types. At the same time mineral oil in the final product from 50% to 70%, the rest is synthetics. Such an intermediate option differs from synthetics in that it:

  • less resistant to extreme temperatures;
  • not so long retains its properties, therefore requires more frequent replacement;
  • has a higher viscosity, which leads to a large loss of friction capacity;
  • optimulated for high-profile engines and turbocharged units.

What is better: synthetics or mineral water?

Now we have come to what we can try to answer the question of which oil is better. If we proceed from the description of the differences between the types of oils, it suggests the obvious answer: the synthetic is undoubtedly better because it needs to be poured. However, everything is not so unequivocally. There are many situations when it is better to give preference to mineral oil. After all, it is noticeably cheaper, and there is not always the need to overpay.

And in some cases, the synthetics is generally contraindicated. This applies to cars with big mileage. The glands in them are already significantly worn, therefore they cannot provide due tightness. A synthetic with its high fluidity will simply "leave" from the motor, therefore it will have to constantly add it. If you drive on an old domestic auto, without thinking, take mineral water.

In addition, mineral oil has such an advantage as the ability to gradually wash off sediments on the details. Synthetics scrapes them with large fragments, which then clog oil and filters. Remember that if in your area the temperature in winter usually does not reach 20 ° below zero, there is no need to use the synthetics.

Thus, choose oil for your car must be based on the individual operating conditions. If they are quite moderate, you can safely use mineral oil. Harm to the car from this will not be none, of course, if you do not forget to change the lubricant in a timely manner.

Few people know what the synthetic oil differs from mineral. Lubricating products - indispensable material for the work of any mechanism with details that are friction during operation. The function is to reduce the friction coefficient. The need for lubrication appeared simultaneously with the invention of the wheel by man. The first was the mineral product based on oil refining, and in the future the production of synthetic lubricants.

Synthetic or mineral water - what is better?

The main difference is the molecular level of these types of oils. In synthetic - synthesis of molecules is carried out with their properties already defined, and mineral molecules are created by nature itself. Mineral product is obtained by distillation of fuel oil. Technical agricultural crops can be raw materials for such oil. The advantages of mineral oil include efficient effects and a minor destructive ability to detail.

These positive qualities are manifested only in room temperature intervals and require additives, so the use of such oils in kind is inexpedient. Obtaining synthetic analogs occurs by synthesizing molecules. Such oils are characterized by stability and low dependence on the effects of environmental factors. The same quality of the engine in different modes provide high-quality synthetic products. Consequently, the main differences between synthetic and mineral oils can be formulated as follows:

  • various origins of molecules (synthetic and natural);
  • different properties when changing the temperature, in this case the advantage has synthetic;
  • miscellaneous degree of viscosity (for the use of mineral products, negative external ambient temperatures are unsuitable);
  • various degree of stability of parameters with different temperature mode: at elevated temperatures in the mineral analogue, the additives occurs, which harms the engine operation.

An important task for modern engine oil becomes cleansing engine parts from the final product combustion of the fuel material. When using mineral counterparts, the flushing of sediments with the parts occurs gradually, and the high fluidity of synthetic oils makes it more efficient to "scrape" the sediment from them. It should be noted higher resistance to oxidation.

Without synthetic oil today, the operation of the engines is impossible, especially in conditions of reduced temperatures. But the cost of producing such oils is small, and their price is higher compared to mineral oils.

What is the difference between mineral oil from semi-synthetic?


Lubrication cleans the motor and protects parts

Semi-synthetic oils are a mixture of mineral with improved parameters that have passed special cleaning, and synthetic with additives, which make up no more than 50 percent in the resulting mixture. Semi-synthetic oil It has the best performance properties than mineral. The price is lower than pure synthetic. The semi-synthetic has the same advantages as synthetics: improved viscosity indicators at high and low temperature, reduced product loss due to evaporation, extension of engine life.

Currently, it is precisely semi-synthetic oils that satisfy the requirements of car owners due to additional protection against elevated temperatures and sludge, lighting up motor starting at low (-40 ° C) temperatures and saving from 2 to 5 percent of fuel due to reduced friction force. The advantages of the semi-synthetic analogue in front of the mineral are as follows:

  • availability more high index viscosity;
  • reduced ability to evaporate and minor tendency to form deposits at elevated temperature, which makes it possible to use them during the operation of cars in a hot climate;
  • the presence of higher antioxidant, dispersing properties and mechanical stability;
  • a significant utilization time before it is replaced and reduced consumption during operation gives savings to 40 percent;
  • reducing the fuel consumption as a result of the optimal friction mode of parts.

Each car owner faces the problem of choice best option Motor oil. As practice shows, semi-synthetic products are the best combination of price and quality indicators. When choosing oil to a specific type of car, it is necessary to take into account first of all 3 main characteristics: tolerances, viscosity indicator and API standards.

If exploitation vehicle will be held in climatic zones with low temperaturesThe ideal choice will be completely synthetic oils. Their prices are higher than on semi-synthetic, but the main advantage will be the ability of the engine to work in cold climates. Use of semi-synthetic motor oils It will help to increase the period of efficient operation of vehicles.

Such oils are recommended for vehicles with high mileage. In terms of prices, the semi-synthetic occupies an intermediate place between mineral and synthetic oils. Information about quality indicators can be obtained by reading the rating of different brands of semi-synthetic engine oil, as well as consumer feedback using certain options from different manufacturers.

The final choice between synthetics and semi-synthetic, of course, remains behind the owner of the car, which takes into account all the standards and tolerances of the motor of your car. The semi-synthetic oil, as a rule, becomes the optimal and economical option for those who seek to extend the period of efficient engine operation.

Technical characteristics of the car and oil

When solving the issue of choosing a type of product, first of all it is necessary to have complete information about specifications and car, and motor. It is necessary to study the provisions of the Operating Instructions for the Vehicle, where the recommended product viscosity indicators are indicated for various seasonal conditions. The degree of motor wear is also taken into account, and which oil was used in it earlier.

If mineral analogs were used for several years, the sediments formed were filled with cracks of rubber, which when replacing oil and remained in them. If the synthetics are poured into such a motor, then it is blurring such deposits due to its acidic characteristics, which often leads to the flow of it through the liberated microcracks.

Therefore, it is recommended to use synthetics for new engines, as well as motors with high revolutions (sports cars). For the old engine there will be a preferred more frequent replacement of mineral oil. Semi-synthetic selection will be a reasonable compromise option between mineral and synthetics. For a motor in which only mineral products used, this option will be non-critical under the condition of high quality selected semi-synthetic oil.

Individual approach

Selection of oil is an absolutely individual process. It takes into account the brand of the car, its mileage, the state of the motor, the types of fuel (gasoline or diesel), season and operating conditions of the vehicle. There is a general recommendation for replacing oil in normal conditions Operating after every 10 thousand km, and according to the general opinion of leading automakers on recognizing the conditions in Russia as heavy, it is best to change the oil after 5 thousand km of mileage.

For diesel engines A more frequent oil change can be recommended. We advise you to comply with the replacement time recommended by manufacturers, since the formation of combustion products does not contribute to the improvement of the engine of your car. Mobil's product is used to be widely fame, which belongs to synthetic motor products. This species contains additives that increase the properties of the elasticity of the sealing devices of the engine that allow you to avoid possible oil leakage.


The use of synthetic motor oils is provided for any type of vehicles, regardless of the operation region and any class of load. At the very sophisticated conditions Operation The advantages of synthetic analogues in front of mineral will become more apparent. The assumption of greater flow of synthetics, compared with mineral, turned out to be erroneous, since the avgar is the result of the decomposition of the base mineral base.

Consequently, the fundamental difference between the mineral and synthetic product will be a different technology of their manufacture, as a result of which these oils have different properties. Synthetic have a more stable molecular mesh, which makes them more efficient at high loads and does not cause loss of slag and varnishing sediment. Mineral analogs have a limited utilization time and do not allow disorders of their replacement.

The general advice for motorists will be the following: only the product is needed, the quality of which does not cause concerns. It is better to use the products from the well-known manufacturer.

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