Engine oil

Origin of engine oil

Engine oil has a very important function in the car these days. Despite this, still many drivers do not have basic information on the subject and do not know exactly what engine oil should choose or just which oil is the best for his car.

Oil properties

Butelka z olej silnikowy

What tasks does engine oil actually do? Its basic functions include, first of all, the reduction of friction in the engine, so that parts such as pistons, rings, bearings and cylinders have a significantly increased chance of long and trouble-free operation. In addition, the engine oil cools these elements and also seals the space between the piston and rings, which creates a high pressure in the cylinder. Engine oil protects against corrosion and reduces the amount of vibration generated by the component. It is easy to guess that no internal combustion engine would be able to function correctly without engine oil.

Oil distribution

We divide motor oils into three types: mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic. They differ in properties that are differentiated due to a different production process. Traditional mineral oils are refined from crude oil. Synthetic oils, on the other hand, are created as a result of the synthesis of appropriate raw materials or derivatives of crude oil.

Which oils are better then? It turns out that definitely synthetic oils. They provide much more efficient protection for moving engine components and cooling than mineral oils. The main advantage of synthetic oils is their low viscosity, thanks to which they are able to cover the exposed surfaces of the engine at low temperatures.

Oil markings

Speaking of viscosity, many drivers probably wondered about the meaning of the oil name, e.g. “10W-40”. This is called viscosity classification SAE, developed by the American Association of Automotive Engineers.Ikonka olej silnikowy

The first digits before the letter “W” are the low-temperature liquidity determination. In our Polish conditions, well as this number is small, it means that the ambient temperature at which the oil does not lose its lubricating properties may also be low. Oil with the symbols 0W, 5W 10W respectively contribute to the easy start-up of the drive unit and the smooth supply of grease to all nooks and crannies of the engine, even at very low temperatures.

The opposite is true for numbers after a hyphen. They mean viscosity at high temperature. And here a similar rule is applied – the larger the number, the higher the ambient temperature at which the oil should be used. Oils with symbols 40, 50 and 60 provide ideal engine lubrication at correspondingly higher atmospheric temperatures.

There is also a standardized quality classification of the oil. We will focus on this, developed by the European Association of Motor Manufacturers, i.e. ACEA classification. It divides motor oils into those intended for gasoline (S) and Diesel (C) engines. It consists of two letters; S or C and the second – the higher it is, the higher the quality of the oil. In relation to gasoline engines, therefore, we use SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, etc., and for high-pressure CA, CB, CC, CD, CE, etc.

What’s next?

Samochodowa kontrolka olej silnikowySo if we already know what the specifications of engine oils mean, we can start choosing the right oil. Generally, the rule should be one – follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. In the case of a car bought from a commission, it is still recommended to contact the car manufacturer directly. The Internet also offers help and you can find almost any information here.

A good habit is checking the oil level at approximately 1000 km, preferably at the occasion of refueling or before the trip. You can easily do it yourself, using the popular “bayonet”.