How to choose an oil for a high mileage engine? This question has been troubling drivers for a long time. Not everyone is ready to replace the power unit when the first malfunctions occur.
Usually, Russian motorists prefer to increase the operating period of old engines by using oil fluids with many different additives. In view of this, knowing what kind of lubricant needs to be poured into the engine with high mileage will definitely not be superfluous.
Lubrication tasks, motor wear
The power unit of the car needs high quality oil... The performance of the car depends on it (for example, fuel consumption, the number of kilometers traveled between overhauls). The effectiveness of friction reduction directly depends on the condition of the engine, the type and quality of the car oil poured into the internal combustion engine. Consumable manufacturers produce Various types lubricants intended for certain engines. Automakers prescribe in the operating manuals what characteristics the optimal oil fluid should have, what additives should be contained in it.
It is well known that all motors have several stages of wear:
- running-in stage;
- standard condition;
- emergency mode.
High mileage engines are close to emergency running. The wear is getting stronger, and as a result it will lead to malfunctions. For such power units, special additives have been created that are added to the lubricant. They resist wear, form a thick lubricating film that protects parts and separates mating parts.
Carbon deposits formed in the engine ultimately lead to a decrease in the mobility of spare parts. A blood clot may appear, finally paralyzing the functioning of the internal combustion engine. In the best case, the fuel costs will increase, the power will decrease. Certain motor oils contain additives that prevent the formation of carbon deposits. In addition, they make it possible to eliminate existing formations. The additives remain on the parts. Also, the use of synthetics makes it possible to significantly save fuel.
Car oil marking
It is difficult to establish which car oil will optimally lubricate the engine of a machine that has high mileage or badly worn parts. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the operating manual, advice from car manufacturers, markings on containers with oil.
Temperature range of engine oils Usually, 2 significant indicators are written on the label in large letters: the thickening index, the viscosity index. For example, 10w30. First comes "10". The number indicates the thickening index of the oil. The smaller it is, the colder the conditions the grease can be used normally.
The letter "w" indicates that the oil can be used during the winter season.
If the internal combustion engine is difficult to start in winter, it is advisable to use a consumable with a low thickening index (especially where the temperature is less than minus twenty). In areas with very frosty winters, an oil with a thickening index of 5 or less should be used.
In order to classify motor oils, in addition to the SAE specification, API is used. The oil product is marked with a couple of letters. The further the 2nd letter is located in the alphabet, the higher the quality of the car oil. For cars with high mileage, you need to use oil with the second letter in the marking - "F".
Separation of lubricants by origin
Today, all motor oils are subdivided into mineral water, synthetics and semi-synthetics by origin. Last view oils are very common in the Russian Federation.
Experts advise that when using a motor, strictly follow the instructions for using a particular type of lubricant. Sometimes high quality synthetics can damage the powertrain instead of ensuring its reliability and durability.
For example, if you replace mineral water with synthetics, you can run into trouble. Synthetic grease is not suitable for high mileage engines. Instead of reducing wear on the seals, it simply punctures them.
You need to be careful if you decide to choose semi-synthetics for the killed engine. It is better than mineral lubricant, but more fluid. This can be bad for ICEs with high mileage. In view of this, if you need to select an oil for a worn out engine, be sure to consult with an employee of an authorized dealer center.
If you have driven more than a hundred thousand kilometers in your car, you need to pour mineral water into the internal combustion engine. This is especially true for Russian cars... Remember that a worn out engine uses up a lot of lubricant. Mineral car oil is inexpensive, therefore it is an excellent choice.
Semi-synthetics are a combination of mineral water and synthetics. For old Russian cars its use is fraught with damage to the rubber parts of the engine. This is due to the fact that many aggressive additives are added to this type of engine oil.
It is required not to forget about the features of the operation of worn out power units.
- Some drivers, in an effort to save on lubrication, often do not remember that technical requirements to car oils for worn out engines, as the car is used, it only increases. Consequently, the price of oil is also increasing. In view of this, you should not be guided by price when choosing a lubricant.
- During a trip, it is often necessary to immediately refill the car oil. Therefore, always have at least one liter of a good consumable with you.
- Remember that synthetics are an excellent engine cleanser as they contain many special additives. In view of this, before replacing the oil, you need to wash the engine with special means. Otherwise, the synthetics will wash out the existing deposits, as a result of which the oil channels will become clogged, and the motor will jam.
- When you decide which oil is better and purchase it, do not rush to pour the lubricant into the internal combustion engine. You can only fill in immediately when you use the same brand. In all other cases, the motor must be thoroughly washed, oil filter replace with another.
- Having poured a new consumable into the motor, remember its name, main characteristics, so that the next time you replace it, you do not wash the engine (if the brand matches).
- After you fill in the car oil, control the engine for a while. The oil level must of course be monitored.
With an increase in mileage, a car engine often loses its own power, and malfunctions begin to arise in it. It is possible and necessary to correct them. For this, many various oils with additives. In order to improve the operation of the engine, and not completely break it, you need to clearly understand what kind of oil to fill in the internal combustion engine. The wrong choice of lubricant can have a very bad effect on the condition of the engine, because certain auto oils contain a variety of chemical additives that affect the parts.
, in which a beginner may well get confused. That is why we have written this small guide, designed to make it easier to choose and help you choose the oil that is perfect for your car.
The additives not only help maintain good lubricity, but also help minimize sludge and varnish and any damage from sludge build-up.
. Viscosity index optimizers: reduce the tendency of the oil to thin as the temperature rises.
. Cleansing components: unlike the household type, they do not clean the surfaces of the engine. They remove some deposits, mainly solids. But their primary goal is to keep surfaces clean by preventing high temperature deposits, rust and corrosion.
. Dispersants: disaggregates solid particles, keeping them in solution, preventing their aggregation, the formation of sludge or carbon deposits. Some additives or additives work as both detergents and dispersants.
. Antiwear: situations are possible when the lubricating film loses its continuity, therefore antiwear agents must provide protection for metal surfaces. A zinc-phosphorus compound called ZDDP is a long-used leader along with other compounds such as phosphorus and sulfur. You should know that ZDDPs are composed of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate.
. Friction modifiers: it is not the same as antiwear. They reduce engine friction and thus can improve fuel efficiency. Used graphite, molybdenum and other compounds.
. Pour point depressants: just because the viscosity at 0 ° Fahrenheit is low does not mean the oil will flow easily at freezing temperatures. The oil contains wax particles that can harden and reduce slip, so these additives are used to prevent this phenomenon.
. Antioxidants: when the engine temperature rises for better control behind the emissions, antioxidants are used to prevent oxidation (and therefore thickening) of the oil. A number of additives that serve other functions also serve this purpose, such as antiwear agents.
. Foam inhibitors: crankshaft churning oil in the oil pan causes foaming. Butter foam is not as effective as liquid, so inhibitors are used to break up the foam bubbles.
. Corrosion inhibitors: protect metal parts from acids and moisture.
Bigger is not better
You cannot add more additives. In fact, you can make the situation worse. For example, sulfur compounds have antiwear, antioxidant characteristics, but they can increase fuel consumption and affect the performance of the catalytic converter.
Excessively high concentration of a particular cleansing agent can affect the antiwear balance. Too much of a particular chemical can affect efficiency and degrade fuel consumption. Antiwear and friction reduction additives can also contain ingredients (such as sulfur) that can affect the performance of the catalyst.
The oil industry is under intense pressure to legally restrict the use of sulfur compounds in oil or gasoline. This is due to the tightening requirements of environmentalists, while the resistance of manufacturers is justified not only by the desire to avoid costly modernization.
production, but also by the fact that engine oil is a finely balanced product, the exclusion of one component from which will lead to serious consequences and objective complexities.
To begin with, it is necessary to say about the fact that most of the motor oils that are sold in stores are often "left-handed" than gasoline. In our article "Engine oil for cars with huge mileage" we will tell you how to choose the right engine oil, what characteristics it must have and what you should always pay attention to when buying. It is not uncommon for counterfeit motor oils to be disguised under the names of very recognizable brands - LUKOIL, Castrol, BP and Shell. The possibility that you will buy left-hand oil is very high if you take it from some unknown store.
In the main, in strange kiosks and car markets, they often sell "leftist", and spare parts stores, too, can simply run into a fake. It often happens that even in large hypermarkets consignments of counterfeit motor oils are detained. You can buy 100% real butter only on personal filling stations Shell, LUKOIL and TNK-BP. If, nevertheless, you decide to buy oil in an unusual place, then it is better to buy some not promoted brand, for example, Motul or Liqui moly since they are not so often forged. Nevertheless, my advice to you, when buying oil, be sure to save the check itself, including the canister, in case of a change. Maybe you need it.
Well, now it's time to figure out conventions... For many people, this is a "filkin literacy". If you look at the engine oil label, you can see the designation - 10W40. What does it mean? This is the viscosity according to the SAE standard. For example, 10 is the thickening index. The lower the number, the more low temperatures the oil will be able to withstand. These indices of thickening (or thickening) can be from zero to fifteen.
Now let's talk about the 2nd digit (in our example, it is 40), which denotes the viscosity at the highest engine temperature - about 100 degrees. And again, as with the first number, the larger the number, the thicker the oil will be, there is a viscosity from 30 to sixty. This means that oil with a viscosity of sixty will be the thickest. But what does the mysterious letter between 2 indices mean? The letter W means the word WINTER (from the English winter), respectively, it means the time of the year when it will be possible to use this oil, i.e. this is the season of use. This means, in our case, it is "winter" oil.
How then do you figure out what kind of oil should be put into your high-mileage car? It's not difficult at all! Open the annotation and read it. In the annotation for your car, it will certainly be written what the characteristics of the engine oil should be. If in winter time years, you often have obstacles with the machine, the engine does not start well, we recommend that you fill in the oil with the lowest thickening index. Say, instead of the recommended 10W40, fill it with 5W40. We guarantee that in the summer there will be no problems with this oil. It is not recommended to fill in the highest viscosity oil unless you are a specific racer. Well, the riders should be aware that too high viscosity leads the motor to "oil starvation". Instead of letting the oil go where it should, it starts to build up inside the cylinder head. So, for example, Russian race car drivers in the 80s did the following, they specially pierced oil channels in their own racing Zhiguli and filled them with Castrol Formula RS oil with a viscosity of sixty, i.e. twice as much as necessary.
Another notation by the API reference is the property index. It looks like two huge Latin letters, SF. The quality of the oil should be determined by the 2nd letter, the further it is alphabetically, the higher the quality of the oil will be. VAZs and foreign cars of the 80s are suitable for SF oil, but SG is suitable for many new imported cars of recent years of production.
Oil with the SF index is recommended for many cars in Russia. If instead of it, you fill in SG oil, then it will be great, but then I do not advise you to experiment. In most cases, everything is very high quality oils are synthetic. If your car needs mineral oils, then "synthetics" will only harm you. What is it fraught with? Increasing oil consumption - it will break through worn oil seals. The main task of any synthetic oil is to protect the motor from the "wedge", and not to increase its wear resistance. In the beginning everything modern motors durable, thanks to this they do not have time to wear out. Not a single motor has yet been protected from overheating of oil. In the lubrication system of any engine that runs on mineral oil, resinous deposits constantly accumulate. Synthetic oils are good detergents. Deposits, washed from parts, clog the oil channels and lead to a "wedge" of the motor. If you decide to change your engine oil from mineral to synthetic, then do not forget to wash your own engine before that and very painstakingly, otherwise you will completely kill the old engine. To flush the motor, you need to use a specially selected composition.
Some experts say that the transition from mineral to floor synthetic oil harmless - it is not. The concept of "semisynthetics" is ambiguous. It is a mineral oil with additives and a mixture of mineral oil and synthetic. In addition, the ratios can be at least what - one stallion / one hazel grouse.
“Not very bad oil»Will cause your old car with a huge mileage, more harm than usefulness, taking into account that if your car is over five years of age. Russian new cars of Korean and Chinese production will not be of much use either. Owners of European cars are advised to check with the dealer. Due to the fact that engines are usually updated infrequently, options are likely here.
And the last thing. There are often times when it is urgently necessary to fill in engine oil. For this option, it is better to stock up on 1 liter of oil and carry it with you after each next change. But if you don't have a spare oil with you, you can fill in another oil, the main thing is that this oil has the same characteristics as the filled one, or at least with slightly higher viscosity and properties recommended by the API standard.
One of the controversial and not fully understood topics of numerous conversations of motorists is engine oil with high mileage. The fact is that this issue contains a whole forest of various nuances, which have both objective and subjective prerequisites.
More often, drivers prefer to extend the life of the "steel heart" of the car at the expense of correct operation fuels and lubricants.
Someone "by eye" seems to be the best application of some very specific type, while someone, using the same product and apparently doing everything "according to science", gets a completely opposite result. As a result of this misunderstanding, the engine suffers.
But there are still not so many car owners who agree to solve the problem of engine durability by replacing a mocking engine with a new one. More often, drivers prefer to prolong the life of the "steel heart" of the car due to the correct use of fuels and lubricants.
And therefore, it is better to figure out how it should be suitable oil for a worn out engine.
How to find out the suitable option according to the marking of oils?
It is very difficult to determine exactly which engine oils will work best in lubrication systems. power plants with impressive mileage or with increased wear rates. A certain clarity (especially for non-professionals) is brought about by the instructions for operating the car, which are provided by the manufacturers, and the marking on the canisters with engine oil.
Typically, the packaging indicates two large print critical parameters in accordance with the international SAE standard - the thickening index and viscosity index of this oil. The following specific example will help you understand what this is about.
Take the notation SAE viscosity 10W-30. Here the number 10 is in the first place. It shows the oil thickening index. So, the lower this indicator, the lower the temperature the specified oil can normally be used.
The second number in example (30) is the viscosity coefficient that the product acquires when the engine temperature reaches 100 ° C. In this category, the dependence is as follows - the higher this indicator, the thicker the oil.
The Latin letter W (from the English word "winter" - winter) tells us that this oil can be used in winter.
You can find out which oil is suitable for engines with significant mileage in the operating instructions for a particular engine.
In particular, if the engine does not start well in winter, especially in areas with frequent temperatures below -20 ° C, it is recommended to use a lubricant with a reduced thickening index (for example, instead of the proposed SAE oils 10W-30 is best filled with SAE 5W-30). In general, in regions characterized by cold winters, it is advised to use oil with a thickening index of 5.
Another international standard is used to classify engine oils - the standard API quality... The grease is indexed in the format of this standard two letters: the first is S, the second is an alphabetical letter. Moreover, the farther the second letter is in the English alphabet, the higher quality oil it denotes. In particular, for engines with high mileage, an oil with an SF index is recommended.
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What is better for a motor - mineral water, semisynthetics or synthetics?
Currently, all motor oils are divided into mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic products by material of manufacture. Semi-synthetic grease is used, as a rule, in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Experts recommend that when operating the engine, strictly follow the instructions for using a specific category of oils. The reason is again in the individual approach to their application in motors. Indeed, in other cases, the choice of the highest quality synthetic oil may not so much help to do the job. power unit more reliable and durable, how much harm to the motor itself.
For example, an ill-conceived replacement of mineral oil with a synthetic analogue (who does not want to pour a priori higher-quality synthetics into their engine!) Can lead to problems. Indeed, in an engine with high mileage and worn-out oil seals, such oil, which in its design functionality is not intended to increase the unit's wear resistance, will simply begin to pierce these oil seals.
You should also be very careful when choosing a semi-synthetic oil for a worn out engine. The fact is that semisynthetics, in comparison with mineral water, are of a higher quality material, but at the same time they also have greater "fluidity". This circumstance may not have a very good effect on an engine with increased mileage. Therefore, it is better to consult directly with the official representative of the manufacturer of this car about what kind of oil should be used in the engine, depending on the mileage and the degree of its deterioration.
Thus, if the odometer of a car shows a mileage of 100 or more thousand kilometers (especially if it is domestic car), then the best choice the engine will most likely be mineral lubricated. Among other things, such a motor has to be refilled with oil more often, and the mineral water provides significant financial savings.
Semi-synthetic oils are a mixture of mineral and synthetic raw materials in certain proportions. For rather old domestic cars, the use of these oils can be risky, if only because they are capable of spoiling the rubber parts of the unit with their aggressive chemical components.
A good oil is the key to a long engine life. Car engine internal combustion needs high-quality lubrication. A number of performance properties depend on this system, such as consumption fuel mixture, the number of kilometers traveled between major overhauls, etc. The effectiveness of friction reduction is directly dependent on the condition of the engine system and the type and quality of oil used in it. Consumable manufacturers create different types oils that are required in a given situation. Car companies, in turn, indicate with which component the car will operate best.
As far as the use of oil on a new car is concerned, this issue is quite simple to solve. The instructions for the car always indicate the types of oil, instructions for refilling and replacing, and answers to various questions. Besides, new car, which is under warranty service, allows the driver to contact the service at any time, having learned which train to choose. Unfortunately, this hardly applies to cars that have served for many years and have a lot of mileage. In this case, topping up and changing the oil becomes more difficult.
What is the mileage is considered large
First of all, you need to define the terminology. The phrase "high mileage" is, of course, relative. It is necessary to understand how often the engine needs overhaul and at what odometer mark it is at risk for wear. There is no unambiguous indicator in the numbers - it is impossible to say for sure what the mileage is large for the engines in general. As a rule, for a unit of domestic origin, high mileage is from 100,000 kilometers. At the same time, if we talk about some Japanese engines, then even 1,000,000 kilometers may have almost no effect on their condition. On average, imported engines are capable of traveling from 150 to 200 thousand kilometers without the need for major repairs and the risk of breaking due to wear and tear. If a foreign-made engine with such a mileage has problems, then it is most likely not being properly operated - either bad oil was poured, or the procedure itself was not correct.Features of the use of oil in engines with high mileage
In order to understand what is happening in running system a car with high mileage, as well as choosing the correct composition in such a situation, you need to know the principle of lubrication in the engine. This is especially important if the car has a high mileage.In an engine that has been running for a long time, parts start to wear out.
This primarily applies to the cylinder-piston group. Its wear affects compression, hence reducing the fuel efficiency of the engine. To maintain the same dynamics, it needs more and more fuel. In such situations, it is allowed to switch to synthetic oils, because they have a higher resistance to high temperatures, and also evaporate more slowly. Their composition provides a better seal - such a film helps to reduce the negative effect of wear, normalizing fuel consumption.
In addition, with the wear of the cylinder-piston system, the amount of combustion products entering the crankcase from the chamber increases. The composition under the influence of high temperature and interaction with aggressive substances begins to oxidize (especially if the driver uses cheap oil and fuel), which leads to a loss in the effectiveness of the additives. The engine begins to accumulate combustion products and corrosion appears in it. Synthetic oils provide protection against oxidation - better and longer than organic ones.
Synthetic oils help solve the problem with the "cold" engine start. The temperature properties of such lubricants allow them to work with an unheated system - their higher fluidity than organic ones and a lower viscosity at low temperatures allow the crankshaft and other parts of the fuel system to more easily fulfill their role. Synthetic oils save fuel at start-up and make it go faster. In addition, starting the engine before warming up is one of the main reasons for its rapid deterioration.
It is known that all engines have several stages of wear:
- Running-in period;
- Steady state mode;
- Emergency condition.
Carbon deposits that form in the engine, over time, lead to a deterioration in the mobility of internal parts. In the worst case, a blood clot can form, which completely paralyzes the operation of the engine. In other situations, the fuel consumption will increase many times, and the power will drop. Some engine oils contain additives that prevent the formation of deposits. They also make it possible to rinse off existing sludge. The active substances of the additives are retained in the oil, lingering on the walls of the mechanisms. The use of such synthetic oils allows you to more economically use the same volume, less often needing topping up.
In the near future on automotive market there should be cars that have a system for reducing the toxicity of waste. Of course, this technology requires a large amount of engine oil - among other things, it must contain appropriate additives. Shell's advanced tools provide control particulate filter, which reduces the emission of waste into the atmosphere.
How to Extend Engine Life with Special Oil
Many car enthusiasts who own high-mileage cars are wondering if it is possible to extend the life of the engine by using special composition... Of course, no one is happy about the prospect of an early overhaul and replacement of the chassis. Unfortunately, there is no "cure for old age" for engines - this is the answer from all the companies that make motor oil. The only advice that can be given to owners of cars with high mileage and a worn out engine is to use a lubricant with more high viscosity... Thus, if the manual for the motor provides for the use of 5W-40 oil, then it is allowed to replace it with 5W-50. In any case, this decision will only be a temporary compromise, which will only help to normalize the engine's operation, but not its condition.
Photo: Semi-synthetic oil
Changing the oil to a more viscous one has its own advantages and disadvantages with high engine wear. This procedure allows you to protect the rubbing parts in the motor, while not creating a thick film. The best protection is provided by the “strongest” compound, not the “thickest” one. On the modern market of products, you can find oils with additives that make the film indelible. They owe their properties to esters, which, in turn, have natural magnetic properties, providing a strong film.
In this case, it is necessary to fill in a more viscous composition taking into account the fact that the gaps in the friction pairs are increased. If you fill in a grease with unsuitable properties, then it will be used up for waste. The viscosity of the oil needs to be changed as the engine wears. It is for this reason that no car or engine manufacturer ever gives specific numbers - we are always talking about a range of viscosity ratios. At the same time, it is strongly not recommended to go beyond the range prescribed by the manufacturer. Each engine is designed to work with a specific oil, so using the wrong one can damage the system and even cause it to stop working.
Photo: Synthetic oil
However, some experts believe that the use of a more viscous formulation will lead to malfunctions in the motor. The pump that pumps the liquid is not ready to work with a lubricant of a different viscosity, therefore it starts to wear out. In addition, this creates the risk of oil starvation in certain parts of the engine, which leads to malfunctions and engine failure. It is these arguments that are voiced by the opponents of changing the oil viscosity coefficient during the operation of the car. First of all, you need to make sure that this or that oil is approved for use by the manufacturer. In addition, all high-quality formulations nowadays use additives that protect fuel system from wear and tear - they perform equally well both in new engines and in those that have high mileage.
How to choose the right engine oil for a high mileage engine
In order to determine which lubricant is best suited for a particular car, the first step is to study the requirements of the car manufacturer. Guide to vehicle should contain information about specifications, acceptable viscosity ratios and other properties. Thus, the first thing to do is to look at the manual.Engine oil type
According to the principle of production, lubricants are divided into three types:- Mineral (organic);
- Synthetic;
- Semi-synthetic.
When choosing the type of composition, you should be guided by the recommendations of the manufacturer of the equipment. Each engine has an individual design and principle of operation, which means that replacing even with an expensive and high-quality synthetic oil may not only not provide advantages, but also destroy the engine.
As for the semi-synthetic composition, it is also not suitable for use in every engine. It is chosen because of its higher quality, but it also has a greater fluidity. This property can negatively affect the engine, on which the use of semi-synthetics is not provided. The consequences for engines with high mileage will be especially critical.
Photo: Mineral oil
For car engines, which have a mileage of about 100,000 kilometers (especially if the unit is domestic), the use of a mineral composition is recommended. In addition, it has a lower price - this allows you to save on the frequent refills that it needs. old engine.
Additives in engine oil
Almost all modern engine lubricants are produced with some kind of additives. For motors with high mileage, molybdenum disulfide and its analogs are best suited, which reduce the degree of wear of the unit. Molybdenum disulfide is able to fill the space in the engine under normal operating temperature the latter. Holes formed during operation of the motor are compensated for by the additive. In addition, the anti-wear compound is recommended to be used even in new cars, adding it every fourth to fifth change.Almost all modern manufacturers have oils with molybdenum disulfide or its analogues. However, it is recommended to use well-known brands for safer use. They are easier to check for quality.
Engine oil packaging markings
It is difficult to determine which marking corresponds to the best oil for a high mileage engine. To do this, you can study the manuals that describe the nuances of operating a particular engine. It is necessary to look for lubricant containers with the appropriate marking for the situation.On the overwhelming majority of cans and cans, two parameters are indicated - the thickening index and the viscosity index. As an example, consider SAE mark 10W-30. The first number determines the thickening of the oil. The lower the indicator, the more low temperature environment allowed for operation. The second number determines the degree of viscosity, the composition demonstrates at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.
Another standard widespread all over the world is API. Its index consists of two letters of the Latin alphabet, the first of which is invariably S. The larger the ordinal number of the second letter, the better quality oils. So, for engines with high mileage, the SF standard is recommended.
