Engine oil protects the engine from overheating and corrosion, slows down the wear of rubbing parts and neutralizes the effect of harmful products of incomplete combustion of fuel - soot and soot. During the operation of the car, the oil loses its useful properties and requires periodic replacement.

How do engine oil characteristics change with age?

1.Loss of initial viscosity.

• The increase in viscosity occurs due to the accumulation of soot and soot in it, and as the light hydrocarbon fractions contained in fresh oil evaporate.
• If the viscosity is less than normal, then fuel or water has entered the oil.

2. Violation of the heat resistance of the oil. Old oil overheats easily, which leads to intense formation of solid deposits (coke) and accelerates wear of engine parts, causing them to fail.

3.Reducing the flash point. The ingress of volatile fractions of the fuel into the oil leads to a decrease in the flash point.

4. Deterioration of the protective and detergent properties of the oil, preventing wear and corrosion of engine parts. The reason may be the ingress of antifreeze into the oil from the engine cooling system, excess decomposition products of additives, particles of dust and dirt.

5. Violation of the strength of the oil film.

6. Decreased base number (oil oxidation).

Important! Any engine oil has an alkaline Total Base Number and a set of additives. The higher the TBN, the longer the oil life.

7. Loss of fluidity. Engine oil curdles due to overheating. The reason is heavy loads on the engine, poor crankcase ventilation, insufficient oil cooler airflow, the oil level in the crankcase is below the minimum allowable level, and malfunctions in the cooling system.

Important! The longer the engine oil retains its characteristics, the longer the engine life.

How often is an engine oil change required?

The established opinion that the oil in the engine must be changed after 10-15 thousand kilometers, but at least once a year, is partly true. When determining the actual period of time before an oil change, the following must be taken into account:

1. The brand and company of the manufacturer of the oil poured into the engine.

What is motor oil?

• Synthetic oils.

Advantages:

Thermal resistance. Exceeding the oil temperature during poor operation of the cooling system by 10⁰C for half an hour causes the formation of coke and soot, polymerization, and also destroys additives added to the oil. Synthetic oils practically do not lose viscosity when heated. At the same time, synthetics retain detergent and dispersant, antioxidant and anti-corrosion properties until the next oil change. The disadvantage is the high cost compared to other motor oils.

• Semi-synthetic.

yield synthetic oils, as they are a mixture of base oils High Quality(50 - 70%) and mineral oil (30 - 50%) with the addition of various additives. For example, if mineral oil loses its fluidity in winter at a temperature of -35⁰С, then semi-synthetic oil is poured into the engine of a car operating in less severe conditions - at a temperature of no more than minus 20⁰C. Semi-synthetics are popular with motorists, since the technical characteristics, although worse than those of synthetic oils, are several times less expensive, depending on the brand.

• Synthetic oils based on PAO.

PAO is a fully synthetic oil obtained by the synthesis of polyalphaolefins. Advantages: resistance to oxidation during thermal overloads and improved anti-friction properties that reduce fuel consumption have made this oil popular with race car drivers and lovers of fast and aggressive driving.

• hydrocracking oils.

If PAO synthetics are made from gas, then HC-synthetics oil is obtained from heavy petroleum products. Oil produced using hydrocracking technology is cheaper than PAO by 20–30%, and practically does not concede in anything in terms of technical specifications except thermal stability. PAO synthetics have twice the resistance to thermal overloads, and the oil change interval is longer.

• Esther oils.

Made from ethers. The main advantage is that during a cold start of the engine, dry friction of engine parts is eliminated due to the presence of a permanent oil film that can withstand a load of 22 thousand kg / cm². For comparison, the oil film of PAO synthetics holds an impact load of 6500 kg / cm². The lack of esters is one of the most expensive types of oil.

• polyglycol oils.

For 70% it is a mixture of PAO and esters, to which polyester PAG (polyalkylene glycol) is added. The "cleanest" oil, which has excellent performance when starting the engine in the winter cold. The viscosity of this oil is 180 units. For a long time it does not lose its properties and therefore it is called "oil for the lazy", since PAG oil has the largest motor resource.

2. Operating conditions. The rate of oil aging depends on the nature of the trips. Severe operating conditions is driving a car in urban conditions in a ragged rhythm, when the trip alternates with long standing in traffic jams and forced mode in free areas. But trips on intercity routes at top speeds also negatively affect the oil resource.

3.Features of your own car. Majority automobile concerns do not advise changing the recommended for this car brand of oil. Switching to another oil can lead to unpredictable consequences. If the owner of the car decided to take such a step, then when choosing an oil, you need to consult with specialists.

4.Money factor. The table will help to compare engine oils by price (approximate, of course).

How to change engine oil?

Oil is changed at the dealer's auto centers or at stations Maintenance. For those who want to do it on their own, but do not have the skill, it is recommended to watch the video.

• In vehicles on warranty service, fill in the oil of that brand and within the time specified in the service book.
• The usual oil change interval is 10,000 miles. Taking into account the operating conditions, driving style, vehicle features, the replacement frequency can be reduced to 5–8 thousand km or increased to 15,000 km.
• The use of oil with an extended resource of up to 20-30 thousand km requires agreement with the manufacturer.
• Along with the oil change, the filter also changes. If the engine after overhaul, then after 3 thousand kilometers only the oil filter changes.

Outcome

It is better to entrust the oil change to a professional - a mistake can cost you a breakdown of the entire engine. If it is not possible to use the services of the service, try to choose the oil as accurately as possible and approach the replacement procedure as responsibly as possible.

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

When determining shift intervals engine oil guided by the manual.

The interval for changing engine oil is always specified by the manufacturer of your car. in the manual (manual) or in the service bulletin (Service bulletin). As a rule, the manufacturer indicates the engine oil change interval in kilometers (or miles). There are also restrictions in the time period - 3 months -6 months - 1 year. The car can stand in the garage all winter and not go out on the road, and the oil in the engine will still lose its original properties - which is why the manufacturers have also introduced a temporary restriction. You can’t conclude “I roll on the mileage very little, so I will change the oil every 2 years.”

Deciding for yourself how often you change the oil, not based on the manufacturer's recommendations, is not right! Only the manufacturer of your vehicle, who designed and built your vehicle, knows best How often should the oil be changed? The car manual is a kind of bible, when making decisions, you should always look back at this document. Remember, your car was designed and built by thousands of engineers and specialists, they have already calculated and tested everything for us - there is no need to consider yourself smarter than VW or Toyota and reinvent the wheel. It is necessary to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations as much as possible!

Rely on the manufacturer, but don't make a mistake yourself ...

But the manufacturer must also be able to interpret correctly! Recently, manufacturers have begun to increase the service intervals for changing engine oil. For the sake of economy, ecology, restrictive legislative acts of some countries, oil change intervals have increased markedly 30,000 km, 50,000 km, etc.

There are special "long-lived" oils for extended oil change intervals "LongLife". But such oils can only be poured with extended drain intervals into engines that are suitable for this! You can’t conclude “If I fill the VAZ Kalina with Longlife oil, then you can not change the oil for 30,000 km.” Kalina's engine will kill such oil much faster!

Extended oil change intervals are relevant for countries with a "mild" climate, with good fuel quality, with clean roads, quality oils, timely service. V difficult conditions vehicle operation - such extended change intervals can lead to premature aging of engine oil and engine wear!

For example, when you try to start the engine in -30C, fill the crankcase with gasoline and eventually do not start, the oil liquefies, loses its properties under the influence of gasoline, and the manufacturer does not take this into account. You can drive 30,000 km on such spoiled oil and then guess where the wear comes from.

Example: In the list of approved Longlife-04 oils, BMW writes:

The use of Longlife-04 oils in gasoline engines is only permitted in European countries (EU plus Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein). Outside this region, their use is prohibited due to the often questionable quality of the fuel.

Link to official document: BMW Longlife-04 approved oils. That is, these oils are not suitable for Russian conditions, taking into account the extended change intervals!

What is severe operating conditions?

Severe operating conditions include:

1. Poor fuel quality. Fuel never burns out completely. During the combustion of fuel in the engine, combustion products are formed - ash, soot, tar, sulfur, etc. Deposits form on the inner walls of the engine - soot, sludge, varnish, etc. The worse the quality of the fuel, the more deposits and unwanted combustion products. Engine oil wears out faster! Russian oil already initially considered to be of lower quality due to the high sulfur content, as well as heavy and cyclic hydrocarbons. To this we must add the peculiarities of the "Russian business" and the lack of strict control over the production and sale of fuel. The quality of fuel constantly jumps from refueling to refueling. Production of gasoline from 76th to 92nd by adding additives. Water condensate, sand, dirt in storage and transportation tanks, etc. All this affects the resource of engine oil! Therefore, at least somehow protect yourself from these negative factors, can only be done by gas stations at trusted gas stations and frequent oil change intervals! It is frequent oil changes that help to remove unwanted products from the engine, neutralize sulfur from burnt fuel, slow down oxidative processes, etc. No "super-long life" LongLife oil or PAO-synthetic with long drain intervals can miraculously remove all this from the engine.
2. Trips over short distances. On short trips over short distances, the engine does not have time to warm up. Engine oil does not have time to warm up to operating temperature. Additives that neutralize the products of combustion of fuel work more slowly due to the slowdown of chemical processes in a cold engine. Low-temperature deposits are formed that clog the filter elements and impair the circulation of oil through the lubrication system. Operation of the engine in the "started - drove 5 km - turned off" mode leads to the transformation of the condensate formed on the inner walls into water. Water in the oil leads to oil flooding - premature "aging" of engine oil.
3. Dusty roads, or roads that are treated with anti-icing agents. Air filter does not capture all dust particles - a small amount still enters the engine. It is also not uncommon for unfiltered air to enter the engine through a poor quality filter, an abnormal air leak (the air hose cracked, the gasket numb), etc. When operating the engine in dusty conditions, dust particles that accumulate during engine operation cause abrasive wear of parts and reduce the anti-wear properties of the oil. In simple terms, dust and sand enter the cylinder-piston group and, of course, this does not bring anything good.
4. Traffic jams, long trips at low speeds, long “idle” driving Idling. Constant acceleration and deceleration in traffic jams load the engine the most, the oil is used up faster. At idle (XX), the oil pressure in the system is several times lower than at full speed - the oil enters the engine components, not as well as it does at full speed along the highway. The same happens with long trips at low speed. For example, on a dirt road "where you can't really accelerate." The load on the engine is large, and the engine oil does not flow abundantly. Engine on idling(XX) is poorly washed with oil, as a result of which, again, rings can lie, deposits can accumulate on the walls of the engine. The owner of the car at this time calmly looks at the odometer, where the cherished 15,000 km have not yet arrived and convinces himself that "everything is fine!".
5. Operation in conditions of extremely high or extremely low ambient temperatures. When operating a car in the summer heat, the engine is exposed to high temperatures, the oil heats up, and therefore the oil film becomes thinner, the coefficient of friction increases, and the oil film on the surface of the friction pairs may break. If we add to this the towing of a trailer, and even high speeds along the highway, we get a very tough regime. Remember yourself, on a trip to the South, during the holidays - we will load the whole family, pick up a trailer and "spear" on high speeds on the highway - it would be faster to get to the sea / or back home. This is just the case! High air temperature also accelerates the oxidation processes in the engine and affects the development of the engine oil resource. Operating the engine at low temperatures also affects the life of the engine oil! Attempts to start the engine in cold weather often result in the engine not starting while fuel was being supplied. Settling in the crankcase, the fuel enters the engine oil and dilutes it. Subsequently, the fuel, of course, burns out and evaporates, but the oil has already been spoiled and, in a miraculous way, cannot be restored to a fresh state. In winter, we often warm up the engine before we start driving, but long periods of idling (XX) are again not good for engine oil. The engine is running - but the car does not “wind up” the mileage, meanwhile we change the oil according to the mileage!
6. Towing a trailer, transporting heavy loads in the trunk, operating a car in mountainous areas. It's not a secret, in heavy-loaded equipment, oil depletes its resource much faster. If you uproot stumps in the country with your car, you will wear out the motor ten times faster than during normal operation. The more the engine is loaded, the faster the oil wears out in it. The operation of a car in mountainous areas, where there are frequent ups and downs, also seriously affects the reduction of engine oil life.

It is generally accepted that in Russia there are difficult operating conditions! On our resource, the site has repeatedly seen examples and confirmations that the Japanese in Japan, Europeans in Europe, Americans in the USA consider their “greenhouse” operating conditions to be difficult and reduce shift intervals by half! Then what are the operating conditions we have in Russia?

On-board computer as a guideline for oil change dates.

V modern cars on-board computer based on the received data, it itself signals when to change the oil. The service interval (mileage until the next maintenance) is calculated from the distance traveled over a certain period of time, the fuel consumed during this and the change in temperature over the same period. Data is collected from various sensors in the car, the turnover sensor crankshaft, oil temperature gauge, distance traveled from the tachometer, fuel consumption, etc. Based on this data, the control unit calculates the remaining mileage until maintenance and signals the required service interval on the display.

Fig 2. An example of how the service interval is calculated in Skoda cars:

Fig 3. Depending on the received data, the on-board computer may issue various options:

But you need to understand that the on-board computer is just a machine, which does not take into account many factors, and was created by its manufacturer, which cannot take into account all factors either! Therefore, you will not make it worse if you change the oil more often - you will only make it better!

So after all, what engine oil change interval should I choose?

Let's highlight the main points when choosing an engine oil change interval.

1. Look at the manufacturer's manual. It is the manual, and not translations of third-party Russian publications, taken from nowhere! In the manual we find a plate with shift intervals, and the lines "under severe operating conditions, we recommend halving the shift interval." Sometimes there is nothing in the manual about mileage. We are looking for official technical documents, usually they are on English language. Be sure to follow the official recommendations of the manufacturer of your car!
2. We define our operating conditions. In most cases, if you live in Russia, you have a difficult operating conditions! But there are exceptions! For example: You live in a quiet, provincial town, where there is no traffic jams. The climate is temperate, the temperature in summer is not more than + 30C, in winter there are no frosts. The car is operated daily and travels at least 20-30 km after starting. The car does not idle XX for 20-30 minutes (you do not use the auto-start function of your alarm - yes, this is also harmful!). You fill up the fuel at one gas station, you know for sure that it is of good cleaning, with a low sulfur content. Fuel is supplied directly from the refinery, all documents are in order (and in general this is your relative's gas station 🙂). The terrain is flat, not dusty, the roads are paved (because the president recently came to your city 🙂). In these cases, you can not shorten the shift interval and consider that you have normal operating conditions! In all other cases, consider your operating conditions as severe!
3. What oil are you using? If you pour mineral oil, it lives less - you need to make discounts for this. The same applies to "synthetic" oils based on hydrocracking (VHVI, Group III). If you pour real PAO / Ester synthetics - they last longer than mineral oils and hydrocracked ones - but don't flatter yourself! In engine oil, in addition to the base oil, there is a package of additives that work out, regardless of whether they are dissolved in synthetics or in mineral water. If you have severe operating conditions, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of engine oil. On oils with a low base number (for example, TBN = 5-6), as well as on poor high-sulfur fuels, it is not advisable to drive with long shift intervals!
4. What engine do you have? If the engine of your car is equipped with a turbine, the oil wears out its resource faster than in a simple atmospheric engine. There are manufacturers who recommend in difficult conditions, for turbo engines, the change period is 2500 km!

Example 1: Let's try to determine the shift interval for toyota camry 2008 release.
We find Toyota white paper:, below in small text is written "In severe operating conditions, reduce the shift interval by two." We divide 14000/2=7000km. Final Choice: Change interval 7000 km.

What do motor oil manufacturers say?

Motor oil manufacturers almost always stand in solidarity with automakers when it comes to change intervals. Almost everywhere it says "Consult your vehicle owner's manual." But there are expert answers in the form of advice. In their responses, motor oil manufacturers almost always rely on the recommendations of automakers!

In conclusion of the article, I would like to quote FAQ, a very famous and popular in the West, motor oil manufacturer - Valvoline.

Question: Do I need to shorten my oil change interval to 3000 miles (about 5000km)?
Answer: Valvoline recommends changing the oil every 3000 miles (about 5000km). The majority of motorists (more than 80% of drivers, according to a study in California) operate the car in severe conditions (start-stop mode, short distance driving, towing, very high or very low temperatures air, etc.) Automakers recommend shorter shift intervals in heavy duty applications, with most recommendations being 3,750 miles or less, with 3,000 miles (about 5,000km) being the most common recommendation. Engine oil and oil filters have a shorter life in severe operating conditions, due to the increase in the amount of contaminants. Thus, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles (about 5,000 km) is the best way to ensure a healthy engine.

You can subscribe to every word! It is the frequent intervals for changing engine oil - 5000 km, that will protect you from the accumulation of deposits in the engine, from the negative effects of poor quality fuel, from harsh vehicle operating modes, etc. Shortened engine oil change intervals, one of the most effective ways to keep your engine in top condition! With change intervals of 5000 km, the car's engine will serve faithfully for many years!

Every car owner knows that in order for the car to work fully, its systems need periodic maintenance.

First of all, the old, used oil is replaced. This procedure requires adherence to a certain frequency. Every driver should know how often to change the oil in a car engine. Careful attention to the motor significantly prolongs the operation of the entire system.

It is better to change the oil periodically than to repair or purchase new engine. This is one of the most expensive car systems. When and how to change engine oil? The advice of experienced auto mechanics will help you find the answer.

Why change the oil?

To understand how much to change the oil in the engine, you need to delve into the question of why this is needed at all. Lubricants for the motor perform a number of important functions. First of all, they protect moving parts from mechanical damage and abrasion.

During the operation of the engine, carbon deposits form on its parts, dirt accumulates. High-quality motor oil collects soot particles and keeps them suspended. This allows you to facilitate the work of the motor mechanisms.

If you do not change the oil in the engine for a long time, contaminants accumulate in the lubricant and begin to settle on the working surfaces of the mechanisms. This complicates the functioning of the system, causes the destruction of parts.

Another important purpose of consumables is to protect all mechanical elements of the system from corrosion. Without quality lubrication the engine will not be able to work for a long time and fully.

Oil types

There are various types lubricants for the motor. For each car, they must be selected correctly. Each manufacturer tests the operation of the motor mechanism. As a result of the research, conclusions are drawn about the most suitable type of consumables.

Changing the oil in a car engine can be done using products based on mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic substances. Also, the composition of consumables includes special additives. Mineral oil is cheaper. It is used by car drivers whose engine has high mileage.

For new motors, manufacturers allow the use of synthetic or semi-synthetic agents. They are more fluid and have pronounced detergent properties. Such funds do not require replacement as often as mineral varieties. Synthetic-based substances are able to protect the mechanism much better.

Replacement frequency

To understand how much to change the oil in the engine, you must first look at the instruction manual. It states that it is necessary to change consumables for the motor every 10-14 thousand km.

However, this figure is an average. It is affected by the loads that the engine is subjected to during operation. For example, standing in traffic jams, the motor is poorly cooled. Consumables in these conditions are aging much faster. The difference is really huge. In this case, the oil will have to be changed much earlier.

If the car drives mainly on the highway at a speed of 100-130 km / h, the system is fully cooled. This reduces the thermal load on the motor and, accordingly, the oil. This allows the replacement consumable later.

It is ideal for engine operation to be driven at medium speed, as well as a small amount of idling time (after the engine has warmed up).

Severe operating conditions

To figure out how many kilometers to change the oil in the engine, you need to find out what is considered severe engine operating conditions. If they occur, the consumable will need to be changed earlier than after 10-14 thousand km.

Unfavorable factors that increase the load on the engine and the oil in it include extreme ambient temperatures. Severe frost or, conversely, heat, as well as fluctuations in the level of air heating are considered unfavorable factors. Also, a humid climate or high dustiness can cause an urgent need for an oil change.

If the vehicle is carrying heavy loads (in the trunk or on a trailer), the consumable will degrade faster. The conditions of the roads of a big city, frequent traffic jams are also equated to unfavorable factors. If they are available, the indicator of the frequency of changing the motor lubrication indicated in the instructions is reduced by 25-30%.

Effect of oil type on change frequency

Having figured out why to change the oil in the engine, you need to take into account one more point. Due to the fact that a variety of products are presented on the consumables market today, the duration of their operation also differs.

Mineral varieties require replacement much more often. Otherwise, they greatly clog the engine with combustion products.

Semi-synthetics differ from them in greater stability of the base. To improve it, such tools are supplied with quite a few additives. Despite this, the funds presented degrade quickly. Semi-synthetics good quality can correspond to standard replacement intervals - 10-12 thousand km. But the engine should work without heavy loads.

Synthetics are also different. Hydrocracking types are not far from semi-synthetics. More commonly, polyalphaolefin-based oils are used, as well as ester materials. The most progressive and expensive are synthetic polyglycol lubricants. Their service life is much longer than that of other means.

Self oil change

To perform maintenance yourself, you need to know the procedure for changing the engine oil. If you do all the actions yourself, you can save financial resources.

For this, it is necessary to allocate a sufficient amount of time, especially if this procedure has to be done for the first time. It is necessary to choose a good place where no one will interfere, and where the car will not become an obstacle to anyone.

If there is no specially equipped place nearby (with a pit or a lift), you can find a special type of landscape. It can be a bump or a hill. A hole will work too.

All actions are best performed in dry weather. The car must be put on the handbrake. It is very important that it does not roll off during engine maintenance. You can even support the wheels with wooden blocks or bricks.

Waste drain

Next, you need to consider how to properly change the oil in the engine. Depending on the location of the drain tank cover, the machine must be properly jacked up. From right choice wheels for lifting depends on the comfort when working.

Next, you should climb under the car, unscrew the tank cap. A container is placed under it. Working off will be hot, so the procedure is carried out carefully and with gloves. If the liquid gets on your hand, it should be wiped with a pre-prepared rag.

For containers, a basin is best suited. It is also worth preparing a plastic bottle with a capacity of 5 liters. It will be possible to merge mining into it. It must be handed over for disposal to the collection point of the manufacturer. Garage cooperatives also accept working off.

Before draining the old oil, the engine must be warmed up well. You can just drive about 5 km by car. The lubricant will become more fluid, and the suspension of dirt particles will mix and be removed from the engine parts. When heated, more mining can be drained from the motor.

Filter replacement

Considering the procedure for how to properly change the oil in the engine, you should study the technology for replacing the oil filter. While the mixture flows into the prepared container, you can proceed to the next stage of work.

You need to unscrew the old filter. No special tool is required to remove the cleaner. The filter is unscrewed manually. If the cleaner has become attached to its seat, a special puller is used. Exists different types this tool. If desired, it can be made independently according to the purchased template.

When the puller breaks the filter from its place, it is unscrewed by hand. If the cleaner was installed upside down, old oil may leak from it. It must be wiped off with a rag. The filter is recyclable. It cannot be washed and put back into the engine. Be sure to purchase a new filter.

Do I need oil when installing the filter?

When studying how and how often to change the oil in the engine, several nuances should be taken into account. Filter replacement does not require additional lubrication in 99% of cases. Some drivers claim that lubrication when replacing the cleaner avoids the formation of an air lock. They claim that in this case, the consumable material immediately enters the system.

However, filter manufacturers do not suggest such a procedure. seat cleaner is thoroughly cleaned of contaminants. Just a few drops of oil are applied to the sealing ring of the new filter.

Manually the cleaner is screwed into the mounting location. It needs to be tightened ¾ turn. The oil spreads very quickly in the system. Therefore, pouring it into the filter is a waste of time. The design of the purifier eliminates the possibility of air pockets.

Filling in new oil

Considering the question of how and how often to change the oil in the engine, attention should be paid to pouring a new product into the engine. Processing can take quite a long time. At least 30 minutes it is necessary to provide liquids to go outside.

Completely remove the old oil will not work. Therefore, it is more correct to fill the engine with the same agent that was previously used in the engine. After draining the mining, the tank cap is screwed back. It is not worth pressing it, otherwise you can break the thread.

A funnel is inserted into the neck of the tank. The oil is poured in small portions. Depending on the type of motor, about 3 liters of consumables will be required. Next, you need to wait 20 minutes for the product to be distributed throughout the system.

Then you need to check the oil level with a dipstick. It should ideally be between the min and max marks. More oil is allowed. Its level then approaches the maximum value.

Experienced auto mechanics give an answer to the question of when it is better to change the engine oil. This event is best timed to coincide with a general inspection. But at the same time, all of the above factors should be taken into account, which can reduce the time of normal operation of the consumable.

If the oil level drops significantly after the first ride, a leak may occur. In this case, it is better to contact service center. Experienced specialists with the help of special equipment will be able to determine the cause of the breakdown.

Having studied how and how often to change the oil in the engine, each car owner will be able to properly and timely maintain the engine. At the same time, it is possible to significantly increase the working life of the system, preventing its destruction under the influence of mechanical loads and high temperatures.

For most car owners, the question: how often and when to change the engine oil simply does not exist. After all, there is service book, where it is clearly written: after 10 - 15 thousand kilometers, what is there to think about? But as we can see, neither the mode of operation of the car nor the quality of the filled one are taken into account here. In fact, everything is somewhat more complicated, and if you take into account only the mileage, determining when to change the oil in the engine, and not paying attention to the operating conditions of the engine and the characteristics of the engine oil, the choice of replacement frequency will not be optimal. I operate the car in especially severe winter conditions, do not forget to change the oil to summer oil in the spring, and change the oil to winter oil in the fall.

Effect of engine operating conditions on oil

Equal mileage in the city and on the highway is almost a threefold difference in the time of the engine. For example, to overcome 15 thousand km in urban mode with traffic jams and speed limits, the motor will have to work for about 600 hours, but outside the city no more than 250. This huge difference in operating time leads to the fact that in urban operation the oil loses its properties much faster if you count by mileage. After all, the temperature effect on it, even when the motor is running with a small load, is quite large. In modern power units, quite high working temperature which amplifies this effect.

On the track, loads can also vary significantly. The car at speeds up to 130 km / h does not have to experience even medium loads. Therefore, the oil in the engine at such speeds experiences minor loads and almost does not lose its qualities. Machines with powerful motor at such speeds, they experience minimal load at all. This means that their negative impact on engine oil in such conditions will be small.

At high speeds, together with an increase in the load on power unit, and the load on the oil increases.

On cars with low-power motors and with a small transmission ratio, at speeds above 130, the oil has a very hard time. With an increase in the load on the engine, the conditions for its operation worsen - the temperature of the pistons increases, the volume and pressure of crankcase gases, destructively acting on its base, increase.

Optimum operating conditions for engine oil

• the speed of movement, which is half the maximum allowable for this vehicle;
• short idling time after warming up;
• good crankcase ventilation;
• compliance temperature regime ICE work.

If we focus on car manufacturers that give recommendations on the engine oil change interval in engine hours, then the typical oil change period is from 200 to 400 hours of total engine operation in various modes, excluding long-term operation with maximum efficiency. Simple calculations show that 400 hours of engine operation in the city at an average speed of about 25 km / h correspond to a mileage of 10,000 km. And the same hours of movement outside the city with an average speed of 60 km / h - this is already 24,000 km, although it is doubtful that it is necessary to delay the replacement so much.

Not all car owners have had the opportunity to drive exclusively on freeways, and even slowly. What to do for those who travel mainly around the city and also have a car with a boosted engine. Looks like shortening oil change intervals.

What type of engine oil is used also has a significant effect on the frequency of replacement.

Properties of motor oils

A huge selection of this consumable in stores often confuses the car owner and makes him ask the seller a rather stupid question - which one is better? But they are not divided into good and bad, they are all intended for different types engines. For example, what is suitable for a diesel engine is not suitable for a gasoline engine, but this does not mean that it is worse.

Any oil consists of a base and additives added to it. Types of bases:

• mineral;
• semi-synthetic;
• synthetic;
• synthetic hydrocracking.

Minerals are extremely rare today. They were replaced by semi-synthetic ones, with a higher content of additives. Their basis is not resistant - the products of its decay greatly pollute the engine. Additives are also not very secure. And the viscosity changes significantly with time. Despite all this, the stability of this basis is enough for the recommended 10 - 15 thousand kilometers. But under more difficult operating conditions, this interval should be reduced.

Oils with a synthetic hydrocracked base are considered ordinary semi-synthetics, but they are much better, since their viscosity is more stable and additives are retained more reliably. Most of the oils from automakers are made on this basis. Even at high mileage, they perform better than their mineral-based competitors. They have less harmful decay products and better cleaning properties.

Types of classifications

• SAE - viscosity classification;
• API - classification by purpose and quality.

The SAE class indicates the temperature range in which the oil allows the crankshaft to be cranked by the starter and pumped through the lubrication system without dry friction.

Winter classes:

Summer classes:

• 20 - min viscosity at 100°C 5.6 mm2/s;
• 30 - min viscosity at 100°C 9.3 mm2/s;
• 40 - min viscosity at 100°C 12.5 mm2/s;
• 50 - min viscosity at 100°C 16.3 mm2/s;
• 60 - min viscosity at 100°C 21.9 mm2/s.

All-weather are designated by two numbers, one winter class, the other summer, for example: SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-40. Each of them corresponds to the parameters of one winter and one summer class.

According to the API, oils are divided into the following operating categories:

• S (Service) - for gasoline engines subdivided into quality groups presented in chronological order;
• C (Commercial) - for diesel engines, subdivided into quality and purpose groups, presented in time sequence;
• EU (Energy Conserving) - energy saving: a new group high quality oils that are not excessively viscous, have good fluidity and reduce fuel consumption, as evidenced by tests carried out on gasoline engines.

Each new class denoted by the next alphabetical letter. Universal application (for gasoline and diesel engines) are indicated by two letters, the first in the designation is the main one, the second indicates the possibility of application in engines of a different type.

API quality classes

For gasoline:

• SM - from 30.11.04 for current multi-valve and turbocharged engines, the oil is protected from oxidation with improved qualities at low temperatures;
• SL - for multi-valve and turbocharged engines manufactured after 2000, running on lean fuel mixtures. It is acceptable to use when recommended by the manufacturer of oil class SJ and earlier.
• SJ - for engines passenger cars, minibuses and light trucks after 1996 release. Oils of this class can be used with recommendations of class SH and earlier.
• SH - for engines manufactured after 1994.
• SG - for engines produced after 1989.
• SF - for engines manufactured after 1980.
• SE - for engines produced after 1972.

For diesel:

Consequences of exceeding the service life of the oil

In cases of significant exceedance of the terms of operation of semi-synthetics or synthetics in the engine, coking occurs on the pistons, leading to loss of mobility of the rings, a drop in compression and increased wear of parts piston group, as well as an increase in oil consumption due to the occurrence of rings.