Any self-respecting manufacturer attaches an instruction manual to the car - a service book. Among other recommendations, you can find in it the rule that regulates the replacement of oil in a car. You should not treat it as an absolute truth, because any manufacturer cares more about his reputation than about the owner's wallet.

The frequency indicated by the manufacturer is determined by testing and is only suitable for some average car. Over time, the data from the service book loses its relevance, and in Russia it may not make sense from the very beginning: fuel quality, atmospheric pollution, seasonal temperature changes - all this affects the condition of the car, and at the same time the amount of oil consumed.

Engine oil

The standard oil change frequency is every 10-15 thousand kilometers, but in service book may be a different number. Immediately it is worth subtracting a third from these kilometers due to poor quality Russian oil or fuel. A bad product is sold not only in Russia: most of the oil sold in the CIS countries does not meet European standards. An exception can be considered the mark of "long-liver" - Longlife-01 (or simply LL-01). In this case, instead of the deducted interest, you need to add the same amount to the interval.

Motor oil is an element capable of causing. Over time, due to high temperatures, the oil ceases to absorb dust and combustion products. You can not skip his check, which, by the way, is not at all difficult to carry out.

Checking for transparency

Such a check does not depend on how long ago you conducted similar tests. Transparency is a visual assessment. Cleanliness is evaluated by eye, and comparison is made with oil that has not yet been in the engine.

We are by no means talking about cold oil, since its viscosity is higher and the color is slightly different from hot oil. Before checking, the car starts for 5-10 minutes. Then a sample is taken from the engine with an oil dipstick. Coca-Cola or darker oil needs to be replaced immediately. Light colors speak of suitability.

New oil after replacement can darken quite quickly. This darkening is most likely not related to quality. Many manufacturers add detergent additives to it. Immediately after contact with the walls of the engine, the additives begin to work, and the oil darkens. Thus, visual evaluation is unreliable and only suitable for those who use the same product for a long time.

Oil drain

You need to start by preparing tools and a workplace. While the engine is warming up, wear rubber gloves. Arrange everything necessary tools in close proximity:

• oil filter wrench;
• socket wrench (required to remove the oil pan);
• containers for collection and disposal, oil catcher;
• rags, paper, newspapers - anything that can be used as surface protection.

Warming up the machine is necessary to heat the oil and drain it quickly. After stopping, it is necessary to wait for some time for the oil to collect by gravity in the oil pan. It is better to stop the car on a level ground. If your workshop does not have a hydraulic lift, the machine will have to drive onto a flyover. All of the above actions are done from the bottom of the machine:

1. According to the car diagram or instructions, you need to find the oil drain, which is a fairly noticeable nut on the oil pan.
2. The oil drain plug is loosened with a socket wrench, but does not turn out completely (oil and crankcase may still be very hot).
3. Under the place of the alleged leakage, rags and newspapers should be laid out.
4. Draining of oil begins as it cools. After its completion, it is recommended to change the seal on the cork so as not to leave marks on the road.
5. If you plan to fill the engine with another oil,.

Change of oil

The required amount of oil can be determined in several ways. First of all, this is an instruction manual. If you can’t find it in any way, it is recommended not to pour out the old oil, but to determine its volume and pour in the same amount or a little more than the new one. Average passenger car 3.5 to 5.5 liters are required. If you still find it difficult to determine the volume, then in an adequate car service you can be given free advice regarding your particular car.

Changing the oil in a car engine does not require any special skills, but you should be careful. Oil left on the engine can ignite when heated, so using a funnel is a good idea. Cold oil moves much more slowly, so take your time. After it is completely in the oil pan, a dipstick measurement should show a mark just below the level on the tool.

Excessive oil in the engine will not lead to anything good. It will inevitably fall on the crankshaft, and he will easily turn it into foam. After checking the level, you can a little, having reached the recycling point. It is believed that used oil is dangerous for the environment and life.

Filter replacement

The oil filter collects all the contaminants collected by the oil during circulation. It makes no sense to change the oil, but keep the old filter. Ideally, the filter and the substance filtered by it should be changed at the same time. The size of the filter is also indicated in the instructions. If it is not there, you will have to go to the store, taking the old filter with you. On average, this element costs 150–200 rubles, but in some cases it can cost about 600 rubles.

The filter must be changed before changing the oil. It is also accessible from below. The principle of action is the same. Find the element according to the instructions or visually (a cylinder that stands out in color), loosen the mount and wait a little outside the area where used oil can get on you.

Installing new filter, do not forget to wipe its sealing ring with oil, and, on the contrary, clean the attachment point with a rag. A half to three-quarter turn is sufficient to securely attach the filter. Too much zeal when tightening can also lead to leakage.

Transmission oil change

The gearbox does not come into contact with fuel, so for it you can safely focus on the intervals indicated by the service book. required once every 50-70 thousand kilometers. When to replace is up to you, but the car will be grateful if you do it early. Warming up the car before changing the gearbox oil won't hurt either.

On the automatic box gear produce complete replacement is possible only with the help of special equipment, so even in a car service they can offer you partial replacement oils. Drainage is made to the maximum possible, new product is added to the old. According to the replacement percentage, the interval also decreases. For example, a replacement by 50% means that the next time you will have to repeat the procedure after 30, not 60 thousand kilometers.

Factors affecting replacement frequency

The more authoritative the source, the shorter the replacement period he calls. Today you can hear that replacement should be done every 5 thousand kilometers. Given the ease of the procedure, this is quite possible, but Toyota and Ford, for example, specify an interval of 10 thousand kilometers for their products. They are far from indifferent to the fate of the car under warranty. We list the main factors that reduce the figure from the service book:

• Forced downtime, traffic jams. At idle, the efficiency of the cooling system tends to zero, so the engine heats up and the oil slowly burns.
• Large loads on the vehicle associated with the weight of the towed load or driving over rough terrain.
• Large engine loads associated with sharp acceleration and braking.
• Long downtime in the garage, irregular driving.
• Dirty air filters or a lot of dust.
• Trips over such short distances that the engine does not have time to warm up.
• Poor quality fuel.
• Age. The older the car, the more often the oil in it will require replacement, and when switching to another product, it is recommended to increase the high temperature viscosity of the oil in accordance with age.

If your driving style does not fall under any of these conditions, the question of how often to change the oil should not bother you. In extreme cases, the replacement can be made a little earlier than the deadline. However, in our country, the car usually falls under all the above points at once. Therefore, experts do not hesitate to name figures that are several times less than those indicated by the manufacturer. In general, if you and your car fit at least five points in the description, feel free to halve the replacement interval.

Conclusion

Over time, any engine begins to consume more oil, so the replacement interval should be reduced. The oil in such engines burns out, but repairs are so difficult that it is easier to fill in a new portion and check regularly. The oil level must be checked every 100 kilometers, regardless of whether you have a truck or a passenger car. For older engines, this figure is even less.

To help the driver, many manufacturers supply cars with sensors that notify him of the need for replacement. Such systems calculate time based on mileage and driving habits, not the molecular composition of the fluid. There are no visual signs of used oil. Dark color may be due to the composition and method of work. Do not deviate from the established deadlines, and try to make exceptions in the direction of not increasing, but decreasing the specified interval.

On the one hand, experts say that the more often we change the oil, the better. With another - good oil it is not cheap, and the oil change procedure takes quite a lot of time, which is never enough. But how much is your car worth?

How often to change the oil - almost Hamletian rhetoric ...

Let's start with the fact that the era of cars that can be called eternal has sunk into deep and fast oblivion. Until now, on the roads you can find cars that are 30 years old or more. Do you think that the “swallows” that left the nest in the 2000s will be able to last just as long? This is unlikely. Today's automaker is not at all interested in cars scratching asphalt with tires for decades. Since the manufacturer must maintain its service infrastructure, then our cars are simply obliged to break down, and new cars must regularly leave the halls of car dealerships.

That is why, when calculating the oil change interval, the automaker does not care in any way how long the engine of your car will last. The only important thing is how the engine will function during the period after-sales service. So if you still believe in fairy tales about the integrity of car manufacturers, then it's time to smash the rose-colored glasses.

Timely oil change is the key to the "health" of the engine

How often do you need to change the oil in a car engine?

An unequivocal answer to the question "How often should I change the oil?" no one will give you. There simply cannot be a universal answer, because it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the car and the driving style of its owner. You can always peep the recommended service interval in the book of the same name, but these are just recommendations that in no case can be regarded as the ultimate truth. For example, if we are talking about a sports car, then this car is unlikely to be idle for months in the serpentine traffic jams of big cities. And if you are talking about a golf-class car, then you should not expect that every day it will go to the track and cut through the space-time continuum at a speed of 200 km/h. And the oil change interval for such different cars will be different too.

Qualified Replacement oils will please both your car and you personally

What affects the frequency of engine oil changes?

The main factors are the season, fuel quality and operating mode. Very often, manufacturers make recommendations regarding the frequency of oil changes, taking into account " difficult conditions» operation vehicle. What is it and what is it eaten with?

Oil change procedure

When timely oil change in the car engine is especially necessary

There are many factors that can be attributed to the conditions of "heavy operation" of the car. However, we will only mention the main ones.

1. Simple car.
   If the car is operated irregularly, then you can be sure that the engine of such a car will last much less than the one that “comes to life” daily. This is due to the condensate that forms in the engine during idle and in combination with the fuel and consumables turns into acid, confidently corroding the insides of the motor. And if, when buying a car, you hear a sentimental story that only occasionally did grandfather go on dates with a familiar grandmother, you should know that this is a rather dubious advantage.
2. Prolonged idling of the engine.
   Most often this happens in traffic jams, while the cooling system becomes less efficient, and the oil heats up.
3. Regular transportation of large loads.
   If your car is overloaded, this puts additional stress on the "heart muscle" of the car, and this is already premature oxidation and thickening. engine oil.
4. Frequent starting off.
   This again applies to the ubiquitous traffic jams, when drivers have to brake immediately after the car starts moving. Most of all, the oil heats up precisely at the moment when the car starts to move. A high temperature means an automatic decrease in properties.
5. Poor quality of fuel used.
   No special explanation is needed here, because everyone knows that low-quality fuel does not burn completely, and its residues are mixed with oil, reducing its efficiency.
6. Express oil change.
   If you, saving time, count on the fact that a vacuum oil change will get away with you, and the car will get away with the engine, then you are deeply mistaken. In fact, during such a procedure, a lot of used oil remains in the engine, which in the future will negatively affect the operation of the engine in general.

From all of the above, it follows that the car should drive a lot, at moderate speeds, almost empty and on European quality gasoline. Naturally, this all sounds at least utopian. But still, the knowledge gained can be used in order to reduce the consumption of oil by your "glutton".

Longlife - extended oil change interval

Some manufacturers automotive chemistry position their oils as those that have an extended drain interval. Motorists simply can't stop pecking at such ads, because they want to believe that they are not only saving money, but also complimenting their engine. But few people know that an oil change using the longlife system can only be done if the following conditions are met:

• the manufacturer of a particular car model provides for an extended oil change interval
• the vehicle manufacturer has issued a certificate for a specific longlife engine oil
• the car is operated exactly in the mode that is provided by the manufacturer, as acceptable for "long life"

So what is it anyway optimal interval oil change in a car engine? Rather, what should be guided by to determine it? To get started, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

The bluish tint of the exhaust indicates the content of oil particles in the gas.

Then decide which factors in your car's personal life fall under the category of "hard conditions".

Having tracked the adverse moments that your car has to endure, reduce the service interval yourself, which was determined by the automaker.

The oil in the car engine must not be forgotten to be changed on time!

Checking the oil level should become an automatic action, like breathing.

Based on the foregoing, we change the oil and try not to fool ourselves.

Many car owners do not know how much to change the oil in the engine of their car or doubt the data provided by the manufacturer on the frequency of replacing consumables. And for good reason. across every 10-15 thousand kilometers often not quite right.

Better at it be guided by the number of hours worked and the average speed. In answering the question of how often to change the oil in the engine, there are many components. Among them are the recommendations of the automaker, the operating conditions of the car (heavy / light, in the city / on the highway, often / rarely used), mileage before oil change and total mileage, technical condition vehicle and the oil used.

Also, the frequency of changing the oil in the engine is influenced by additional factors - the number of hours, engine power and volume, the time since the last oil change (even without taking into account the operation of the machine). Next, we will tell you in detail about how often to change the oil in the engine, how it happens, and other things that will surely be useful to you.

For those who do not want to go into details and understand everything in detail, we will immediately give an answer according to the shift interval: in urban conditions, the oil “works” 8-12 thousand, on the highway / light traffic without traffic jams it works out up to 15 thousand km. The most accurate way to find out when to change can only be given by a laboratory analysis of oil recovery.

What affects the frequency of replacement

Each automaker in the manual for the car contains detailed information on when to change the engine oil. However, the fact is that this information is not always correct. As a rule, the documentation contains a value of 10 ... 15 thousand kilometers (in each individual case, the number may differ). But in fact, several factors affect the mileage between replacements.

10 indicators affecting the timing of engine oil changes

1. Type of fuel (gas, gasoline, diesel) and its quality
2. Engine capacity
3. Brand of previously filled oil (synthetic, Semy-Synt, mineral oil)
4. Classification and type of oils used (API and longlife system)
5. Engine oil condition
6. Replacement method
7. Total engine mileage
8. Technical condition of the car
9. Operating conditions and modes
10. Consumable quality

The manufacturer's instructions are not included in this list, since for him the service interval is a marketing concept.

Operating modes

First of all, the timing of changing the oil in the engine is affected by car operation. Without delving into the essence of the various transients, it is worth mentioning two main modes - on the highway and in the city. The fact is that when a car drives along the highway, firstly, the mileage runs much faster, and secondly, the engine cools down normally. Accordingly, the load on the engine and on the oil used in it is not so high. On the contrary, if the car is used in the city, then its mileage will be significantly lower, and the load on the engine will be higher due to the fact that it often stands at traffic lights and traffic jams with the engine running. Cooling will be insufficient.

In this regard, it would be more competent to calculate how much oil in the engine needs to be changed, based on engine hours, as it is done in cargo, agricultural and water engineering. Let's take an example. 10 thousand kilometers in urban conditions (with an average speed of 20 ... 25 km / h) the car will pass in 400 ... 500 hours. And the same 10 thousand on the highway at a speed of 100 km / h - only for 100 hours. Moreover, the operating conditions of the engine and oil on the track are much milder.

Driving in a metropolitan area rightly equates to driving on hard off-road in terms of how it destroys oil. This is especially true when its level in the crankcase is below average, and even worse when it is below the minimum level. Also remember that in hot summer weather, the oil is subjected to a much greater load due to high temperatures, including from hot road surfaces in megacities.

Engine size and type

What affects the frequency of oil changes

How more powerful engine, the easier it is for him to survive the change in load, as well as difficult operating conditions. Accordingly, the oil will not have such a strong effect. For powerful motor driving along the highway at a speed of 100 ... 130 km / h does not have a significant load, it will be below average. As the speed increases, the load on the engine, and hence on the oil, will change smoothly.

Another thing is a small car. As a rule, they are equipped with a “short” transmission, that is, the gears are designed for a small speed range and a range of operating speeds. Accordingly, small engines experience greater loads in critical conditions than powerful ones. When the load on the motor increases, the temperature of its pistons also increases, and the amount of crankcase gases also increases. This leads to an overall increase in temperature, including the temperature of the oil.

It is especially hard for small forced engines (for example, 1.2 TSI and others). In this case, the load is also supplemented by a turbine.

Additional factors

This should include high temperature control (operating temperature), poor crankcase ventilation (especially when driving in urban areas), the use of low-quality or unsuitable for this engine oil, the presence of dirt in the oil channels, clogged oil filter, oil operating temperature range.

It is believed that the optimal oil change interval in the engine is from 200 to 400 hours under various operating conditions with the exception of maximum load, including driving top speed and maximum rpm.

Also of great importance is the type of oil used -, or completely. You can read about each of the mentioned species separately at the links provided.

Why you need regular oil changes

Dashboard display

What can happen to the car if you do not change the engine oil for a long time? To answer this question, you need to understand what functions it performs. Any oil consists of the so-called “base” and a certain amount of additives. It is they who protect the engine parts.

During the operation of the machine, and even its parking, there is a continuous chemical destruction of additives. Naturally, when driving, this process is faster. At the same time, natural deposits are formed on the engine crankcase, oxidative processes occur with individual components of the oil, its viscosity and even the pH level change. These facts are the answers to the question - why change oil at least once a year.

Some automakers and manufacturers of motor oils indicate how long it takes to change the oil in the engine not by mileage, but by frequency, usually by months.

And with a significant load, the described processes in the oil occur at an even greater speed. Especially at high temperatures. However, modern manufacturers are constantly improving the technology and chemical composition of their oils. Therefore, they are able to withstand pollution and high temperatures for a long time.

In many modern cars The ECU constantly monitors how long it takes to change the engine oil. Naturally, this decision is made on the basis of an empirical methodology. It is based on actual data - the average number of engine revolutions, oil and engine temperatures, the number of cold starts, speed mode etc. In addition, the program takes into account errors and technical tolerances. So the computer only tells the approximate time when you need to change the engine oil.

Unfortunately, on store shelves not only Russian Federation, but also other CIS countries, a large number of low-quality or simply fake motor oils are currently being sold. And given that our fuel is often of poor quality, the frequency of oil changes still needs to be adjusted. In particular, if we talk about how many km to change the oil in the engine, then the recommended amount should be reduced by about a third. That is, instead of the often recommended 10 thousand, change after 7 ... 7.5 thousand.

Change the oil AT LEAST once a year, whether you operate the machine or not.

Let's list the causes and consequences untimely replacement engine oil:

• Deposit formation. The reasons for this phenomenon are the process of destruction of additives or contamination of the oil with combustion products in the crankcase. The consequences are a significant decrease in engine power, an increase in the content of toxic substances in exhaust gases, and their blackening.
• Significant engine wear. Reasons - oils lose their properties due to changes in the composition of additives.
• Increasing the viscosity of the oil. This can happen for the same reasons. In particular, due to oxidation or a violation of the polymerization of additives due to wrong selection oils. The problems arising from this include difficulties with oil circulation, significant wear of the engine and its individual elements. And the resulting oil starvation of the engine can lead to, in critical cases, even engine failure is possible.
• Rotation of connecting rod bearings. This is due to clogging of the oil channel with a thickened composition. The smaller the cross-sectional area, the greater the load connecting rod bearings. Because of this, they overheat and crank.
• Significant wear of the turbocharger(if available). In particular. high risk of damage to the rotor. It occurs due to the fact that the used oil has a significant impact on the compressor shaft and bearings. As a result, they are damaged and scratched. And besides this, dirty oil leads to clogging of the compressor lubrication channels, which can lead to its jamming.

Do not operate the machine with burnt and thickened oil. This exposes the motor to significant wear.

The problems described above are typical for machines operated in urban environments. After all, it is considered one of the most difficult for the engine. Next, we present interesting factual data that were obtained experimentally. They will help you decide after what mileage to change the oil in the engine.

Results of experiments with oils

Specialists of the well-known automotive magazine "Behind the Wheel" conducted a six-month study of several types of synthetic oils under the operating conditions of cars in city traffic jams (on idling). To do this, the engines worked for 120 hours (analogous to a run of 10 thousand kilometers along the highway) at 800 rpm without cooling. As a result, interesting facts were obtained ...

The first is the viscosity of all engine oils during prolonged idling up to a certain (critical) moment significantly less than when driving “on the highway”. This is due to the fact that at idle there is a passage of exhaust gases and unburned fuel into the engine crankcase, where it all mixes with oil. In this case, some (insignificant) amount of oil may be in the fuel.

The value of the drop in viscosity of engine oil is about 0.4 ... 0.6 cSt (centistokes). This value is within 5...6% of the average level. That is, the viscosity is within the normal range. However, this only happens up to a certain point.

Clean and used engine oils

Approximately 70...100 hours(each oil is different, but the trend is the same for everyone) the viscosity begins to increase sharply. And much faster than when working in the “track” mode. The reasons for this are as follows. The oil is constantly in contact with the products of incomplete combustion (as described above), and reaches its critical saturation. The mentioned products have a certain acidity, which is transferred to the oil. Also affects the lack of ventilation and low turbulence of the air-fuel mixture due to the fact that the piston moves relatively slowly. Because of this, the fuel combustion rate is below average, and the ingress of exhaust gases into the crankcase is maximum.

The widespread opinion that in the mode idle move a large amount of dirt is formed in the engine has not been experimentally confirmed. However, the amount of high-temperature deposits was small, and the amount of low-temperature deposits was large.

As for the wear products, their amount is much greater for the oil operated in the “plug” mode than for the one that was on the “highway”. The reason for this is the low speed of the pistons, as well as the high operating temperature oil (lack of ventilation). As for waste, each oil behaves differently. However, it can be argued that due to high operating temperatures and an increase in density, waste will also increase.

Based on the information provided, we will try to systematize the data and answer the question of how many kilometers to change the oil in the engine.

Next, we will dwell on the question of how often to change the oil in the engine. As mentioned above, the recommendations of car manufacturers should be treated with a great deal of skepticism. Not to completely ignore them, but amend. If you drive a car only in the city (according to statistics, there are a majority of such car owners), then this means that the oil is used in heavy mode. Remember that the less oil in the crankcase, the faster it ages. Therefore, its optimal level is slightly lower on the indicator probe.

How many thousand to change the oil in the engine?

Calculation of engine hours for oil change

Above, we wrote that it is more competent to calculate the frequency of oil changes based on engine hours. However, the complexity of this technique lies in the fact that it is sometimes difficult to convert kilometers into hours, and based on this information, get an answer. Let's take a closer look at two methods that allow empirically, however, it is quite accurate to calculate how much to change the synthetic (and not only) oil in the engine. To do this, your car must have an ECU that shows the average speed and fuel consumption over the last at least one thousand kilometers (the more mileage, the more accurate the calculations will be).

So, the first method (calculation by speed). To do this, you need to know the average speed of your car over the last several thousand kilometers and the car manufacturer's recommendations at what mileage you need to change the oil. For example, the mileage before an oil change is 15 thousand kilometers, and the average speed in the city is 29.5 km / h.

Accordingly, to calculate the number of hours, you need to divide the distance by the speed. In our case, this will be 15000 / 29.5 = 508 hours. That is, it turns out that in order to change the oil under these conditions, it is necessary to use a composition with a resource of 508 hours. However, in reality, such oils simply do not exist today.

We offer you a table that shows the types of engine oils and their corresponding engine hours according to API (American Petroleum Institute):

Let's assume that the car engine is filled with SM/SN class oil, which has a service life of 350 hours. To calculate the mileage, you need to multiply 350 hours by an average speed of 29.5 km / h. As a result, we get 10325 km. As you can see, this mileage is very different from the one that the automaker offers us. And if the average speed is 21.5 km / h (which is more typical for large cities, taking into account traffic jams and downtime), then with the same 350 hours we will get 7525 km of run! Now it becomes clear why it is necessary to divide the mileage recommended by the automaker by 1.5 ... 2 times.

Another calculation method is based on the amount of fuel consumed. As initial data, you need to know how much fuel your car consumes per 100 kilometers according to the passport, as well as this actual value. It can be taken from the same ECU. Suppose that according to the passport the car “takes” 8 l / 100 km, but in fact - 10.6 l / 100 km. Mileage for replacement remains the same - 15,000 km. We derive the proportion and find out how much in theory the car has to spend to overcome 15,000 km: 15,000 km * 8 liters / 100 km = 1200 liters. Now let's do the same calculations for actual data: 15000 * 10.6 / 100 = 1590 liters.

Now we need to calculate at what distance it is necessary to draw actual oil change(that is, how much the car will travel on a theoretical 1200 liters of fuel). Let's use a similar proportion: 1200 liters * 15000 km / 1590 liters = 11320 km.

We present to you an electronic calculator that will allow you to calculate the value of the actual mileage to an oil change using the following data: theoretical fuel consumption per 100 km, actual fuel consumption per 100 km, theoretical distance to oil change in kilometers:

However, the simplest and most effective method of checking is a visual inspection of the condition of the oil. To do this, do not be lazy to periodically open the hood and check if the oil has thickened or burned. Its condition can be assessed visually. If you see that the oil is dripping from the dipstick like water, then this is a sure sign that the oil needs to be changed. Another interesting method of checking is by spreading the composition on a napkin. A very thin oil will form a large and runny slick that will tell you when it's time to change the fluid. If this is the case, immediately go to a car service or carry out the procedure yourself.

How often to change the oil in a diesel engine

As for diesel engines, the same calculation logic applies here as for gasoline units. It is only necessary to take into account that working fluid they are exposed to more external influences. As a result, it needs to be changed a little more often. In addition, domestic diesel fuel It has a high sulfur content, which adversely affects the car engine.

Regarding the indications given by the car manufacturer (especially Western manufacturers), they, like gasoline engines, must be divided by 1.5 ... 2 times. This applies to passenger cars as well as vans and light trucks.

As a rule, most domestic car owners of cars with diesel engines change the oil every 7 ... 10 thousand kilometers depending on the machine and the oil used.

Theoretically, oil selection is based on total base number (TBN). It measures the amount of active anti-corrosion additives in an oil and indicates the tendency of their formulations to form deposits. The higher the number, the greater the oil's ability to neutralize acidic and aggressive products formed during oxidation. For diesel engines, TBN is in the range of 11...14 units.

The second important number that characterizes the oil is the total acid number (TAN). It characterizes the presence in the oil of products that provoke an increase in corrosion and wear intensity of various friction pairs in a car engine.

However, before deciding how many hours to change the oil in a diesel engine, you need to deal with one nuance. In particular, is it possible to use engine oils with a low base number (TBN) in countries with low-quality fuel (in particular, Russian, which contains a large amount of sulfur)? During the operation of the engine, and, accordingly, the oil, the base number drops, and the acid number rises. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the intersection of their graphs at a certain mileage of the car tells us that the oil has completely exhausted its resource, and then its operation only destroys the engine. We present to your attention the test graphs for four types of oils with different indicators of acid and base numbers. For the experiment, four types of oils were taken with the conditional names of the letters of the English alphabet:

• oil A - 5W30 (TBN 6.5);
• oil B - 5W30 (TBN 9.3);
• oil C - 10W30 (TBN 12);
• oil D - 5W30 (TBN 9.2).

As can be seen from the graph, the test results were as follows:

• oil A - 5W30 (TBN 6.5) - was completely used after 7000 km;
• oil B - 5W30 (TBN 9.3) - was completely used after 11,500 km;
• oil C - 10W30 (TBN 12) - was completely worked out after 18,000 km;
• oil D - 5W30 (TBN 9.2) - was completely used after 11,500 km.

That is, oil for heavily loaded diesel engines turned out to be the most resistant. What conclusions can be drawn from the given information:

1. A high base number (TBN) is critical for those regions where poor quality diesel fuel (in particular, with high S impurities) is sold. The use of such an oil will provide you with a longer and safe operation engine.
2. If you are confident in the quality of the fuel you use, then it will be enough for you to use oils with a TBN value in the region of 11 ... 12.
3. Similar reasoning is valid for gasoline engines. It is better to fill in oils with TBN = 8...10. This will give you the opportunity to change the oil less often. If you use oil with TBN = 6...7, then in this case be prepared for more frequent replacement liquids.

From a general point of view, it should be added that diesel engines oil needs to be changed a little more often than in gasoline ones. And it is worth choosing it, among other things, by the value of the total acid and alkaline numbers.

conclusions

Thus, each car owner must decide for himself how much to change the oil in the engine. This must be done according to individual circumstances. We recommend that you use the calculation methods for engine hours and gasoline consumption given above (including calculators). In addition, always visually assess the condition of the oil in the engine crankcase. So you will significantly reduce the wear and tear of the engine of your car, which will save you from having to carry out expensive repairs. Also, when replacing, buy high-quality oils recommended by the manufacturer.

Motors consume not only gasoline, but also oil. And you want to save money on it. Can last year's oil work for another season?

Car manufacturers recommend changing the engine oil every 15 thousand kilometers. Standard operating conditions allow you to ride on one fill for a year. But the operation of a car in a metropolis differs markedly from standard conditions and involves increased loads on all technical knots. Therefore, oil change times are reduced.

On the one hand, in major city runs are small, only 30-40 kilometers on weekdays. But if, on free roads, a car flies through them in 20-30 minutes, then at rush hour the path stretches into total 3-4 hours before work and back. Traffic congestion forces you to push through the crowded streets in first gear, repeating the cycles of starting and braking an infinite number of times. And the engine burns fuel all this time, spinning up to 3000 rpm and dying again. Naturally, the temperature rises, the air conditioner takes a lot of energy to run the compressor, and the engine overheats.

Even worse, when the owner of the car, in order to save money, got used to pouring cheap AI-92 instead of AI-95 gasoline, which is reflected by an increased number of detonations. Then the temperature regime of the motor goes beyond the established limits and another overwhelming task falls on the oil: cooling of local overheating zones.

In general, traffic in traffic refers to extreme operating conditions and not only reduces the life of the mechanics, but also affects the life of the oil. And, in order to determine the service life of the oil, it is necessary to consider it not in mileage, but in engine hours, as on special equipment.

Make it simple. Usually on cars 200-250 hours of engine operation are produced for 15 thousand kilometers. This is about a year of operation at an average speed of 60 km / h, after which it is prescribed to go for scheduled maintenance.

But in Moscow, the average speed is much lower and fluctuates around 30-40 km/h. Cars stand in traffic jams longer, and their motor still does useful work. Therefore, an oil resource of 200-250 hours is produced in Moscow for 7000-8750 kilometers. And this is almost two times less mileage than the interval between maintenance prescribed by the manufacturers.

As a result, the vast majority of cars in Moscow experience a shortage of good lubrication. And this is dangerous for technology, since modern synthetic oil very afraid of overheating. Its additives change properties under the influence of temperature and stop working properly. The oil turns black and its viscosity drops. If you pull out the dipstick and look at the edge of the measuring scale, then burnt oil will drip like water. Then a direct road to the store for a new canister.

In general, it is better not to save on oil and replace it at least before the summer season. If warranty car pushes every day in traffic jams and rolls over 8 thousand kilometers a year, it is better to call on specialized technical stations to change the oil twice a year. In this case, it is necessary to fill in only the oil that is recommended by the manufacturer for a particular model. It is selected based on temperature conditions engine operation.

Vechmobile will work without requiring an oil change.

Clifford Simak. Ring around the sun

Why change it?

Now - a little arithmetic. Let's assume that the manual for the car prescribes to change the oil at least every 15,000 km. At an average speed of 50 km/h, this corresponds to 300 hours. If we take this value as a guideline, then even at a lower average speed, you can change the oil after the same 300 hours, although the mileage will be less.

Actually, there is a fourth way. Many readers argue that one should be guided by the amount burned. Roughly speaking, I burned a thousand liters of fuel - get ready to change the oil.

But this method is only suitable for pedants who have the patience to collect fuel checks, and then total the burned liters.

In addition, in this way it is difficult to compare, for example, a three-cylinder Matiz and a full-size american SUV with the "eight" under the hood. Therefore, when choosing such an algorithm, you need to start from a certain average consumption for a car, taking into account its class, in order to maintain your own "bookkeeping".

And the last. In some cases, it can serve as an impetus for an immediate oil change. For example, if a frightening drop that looks like tar hangs on the engine dipstick, or, on the contrary, the oil has begun to resemble water in consistency, then there is no time to think. It is clear that for monitoring you will have to climb under the hood from time to time, but ... But we believe that this is not the worst habit.

Photo: depositphotos.com and Driving