A timely oil change is an absolutely essential operation and is the key to the health and longevity of a car engine. This is especially important for cars whose warranty period has already expired, because in the warranty car, the oil will be replaced at a service station in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
There are three main types, among which you will have to choose oil:
- Mineral oil is produced from petroleum products. There are several types of such oil, of which paraffinic oils are used in cars, as a rule. A distinctive feature of mineral oils is a fairly rapid loss of the required properties. In addition, the oil contains a lot of sulfur, which must be removed from the final product. If sulfur remains more than 1%, then this accelerates engine wear, and if less than 1% - increases the cost of oil. However, in general, mineral oil is cheaper, and when the engine is running in less severe conditions, its use can be justified.
- Synthetic oil comes from chemical synthesis. It is characterized by a higher fluidity, which reduces friction in the engine, increasing its power and reducing fuel consumption, as well as a lower pumping temperature, allowing the engine to operate without overload at low temperatures. In addition, synthetic oil has a higher evaporation temperature, which means that it is not so sensitive to heating and overheating. Synthetic oil does not oxidize or paraffinize during engine operation, that is, its composition remains stable, which ensures a longer service life.
- Semi-synthetic and hydrocracked oils are a mixture of mineral and synthetic oils. As a result, oil is cheaper than synthetic oil, but better than mineral oil in its characteristics. Hydrocracking oil is a specially processed mineral oil, and, although close in quality to synthetics, it loses its properties rather quickly. A number of manufacturers are misleading the buyer, passing off such oil as synthetic and even using the same name for such products. To choose the right oil, you need to carefully study the label.
When choosing an oil, follow the recommendations of your car manufacturer. Even very good oil may not match his engine.
