To begin with, it must be said that most of the motor oils that are sold in stores are often “left” than gasoline. In our article "Motor oil for cars with high 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. Very often they try to disguise counterfeit motor oils under the names of very recognizable brands - LUKOIL, Castrol, BP and Shell. The possibility that you will buy the left oil is very high if you take it in some unknown store.

Most importantly, strange kiosks and car markets often sell "leftist", and spare parts stores can also just run into a fake. It often happens that even in large hypermarkets, batches of counterfeit motor oils are detained. You can buy 100% real oil only at the nominal filling stations of Shell, LUKOIL and TNK-BP. If, nevertheless, you decide to buy oil in an unusual place, then it’s better to buy some unpromoted brand, for example, Motul or Liqui Moly, because. they are not often faked. Nevertheless, my advice to you, when buying oil, be sure to keep the check itself, including the canister, in case of a change. Maybe needed.

Well, now it's time to understand the conventions. For many people, this is a "filkin's letter". If you look at the label of engine oil, you can see the designation - 10W40. What does it mean? This is the SAE viscosity. For example, 10 is the thickening index. The lower the number, the more low temperatures the oil will be able to withstand. These thickening (or thickening) indices can be from zero to fifteen.

Now let's talk about the 2nd digit (in our example, it is 40), which indicates 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 an 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 English winter), respectively, means the time of the year when this oil can be used, i.e. this is the season of use. So, in our case, this is a “winter” oil.

How then to figure out what kind of oil should be poured into your car with high mileage? Everything is 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 the winter season you often have problems with the car, the engine does not start well, then we recommend that you fill in the oil with the lowest thickening index. Say, instead of the recommended 10W40, fill in 5W40. We guarantee that in the summer with such oil there will be no problems. It is not recommended to fill in oil with the highest viscosity unless you are a specific rider. Well, riders should also keep in mind that high viscosity leads the engine to "oil starvation". Instead of getting the oil where it should be, it begins to accumulate inside the cylinder head. So, for example, Russian race car drivers in the 80s did the following, they specially machined oil channels in their own racing Zhigulis and poured Castrol Formula RS oil with a viscosity of sixty into them, i.e. twice as much as needed.

Another designation according to the API benchmark 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 in alphabetical order, the higher quality the oil will be. SF oil is suitable for VAZs and foreign cars of the 80s, but SG oil is suitable for many new imported cars of recent years.

Oil with the SF index is recommended for many cars in Russia. If instead of it, you fill in SG oil, it will be great, but then I do not advise you to experiment. In most cases, all very high quality oils are synthetic. If your car needs mineral oils, then "synthetics" will only harm you. What is the risk? Increasing oil consumption - it will break through worn oil seals. The main task of any synthetic oil is to protect the motor from a “wedge”, and not to increase its wear resistance. At first, all modern motors are durable, so they do not have time to wear out. Not a single motor is protected from oil overheating. In the lubrication system of any motor that runs on mineral oil, resinous deposits constantly accumulate. Synthetic oils are good detergents. Deposits washed from parts clog oil channels and lead to a "wedge" of the motor. If you decide to change 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 switching from mineral to semi-synthetic oil is not dangerous - it is not. The concept of "semi-synthetics" is ambiguous. This is a mineral oil with additives and a mixture of mineral oil and synthetic. In addition, the ratios can be anything - one stallion / one hazel grouse.

"Very bad oil" will do your old car with a huge mileage, more harm than good, taking into account if your car has crossed the age of five. Russian new cars of Korean and Chinese production will not be of much use either. For owners of European cars, it is better to check with the dealer. Due to the fact that engines are usually updated infrequently, variations are likely here.

Well, the last. Often there are cases 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 regular change. But if the spare oil is not with you, then you can fill in another oil, the main thing is that this oil has the same characteristics as the one filled in, or at least with a slightly higher viscosity and properties recommended by the API standard.

By dividing the "life cycle" of the engine into three periods, ExxonMobil created a specially formulated motor oil for each of them. This is how the Mobil 1 product line was born, which includes lubricants for engines of any “age”.

I period

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 is designed specifically for vehicles with mileage up to 100,000 km. Thanks to improved low-temperature properties, the oil eliminates high resistance in all rubbing surfaces, reduces the load on the engine and battery, and provides easy starting at sub-zero temperatures.

Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 provides superior protection and a highly balanced formulation to resist sludge and deposit formation and help keep engines running longer. This oil has received the approval of many automakers, incl. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Opel, Porsche, etc.

Benefits of Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40:

• Ensuring the fastest possible cold start
• Improved fuel economy
• Preservation of original performance properties with extended oil change intervals
• Deposit minimization
• Ensuring the cleanliness of engine parts
• Compliance with the latest specifications of car manufacturers
• Protection of engine parts against wear under conditions of high temperatures and loads due to the increased thickness of the oil film

Mobil 1 New Life 0W40 is a 100% synthetic engine oil. This energy-saving oil reduces pumping losses due to its low viscosity, it easily enters the rubbing pairs. It does not lose its ability to retain its protective properties even under high thermal loads. Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 meets API SJ/SL/SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 and A3/B4 requirements, has VW 505.00 and 502.00, MB 229.5 and 229.3 approvals, Porsche Special Oil, BMW Long Life Oil, GM LL -A-025 and LL-B-025 recommended by Saab.

II period

In the engines of cars with a mileage of more than 100 thousand km. Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W50 is recommended. With a balanced package of detergents, antiwear additives and antioxidants, it reliably protects the engine for a long period of time.

Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-50 protects engine parts from premature wear while maintaining optimum performance.

Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-50 delivers all the same benefits as the previous product. In addition, it provides:

• Comprehensive engine protection
• Strengthening protection under variable loads
• Reduced oil consumption in used car engines due to higher viscosity

The gaps between the engine parts of a car with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km. slightly oversized so that, with a higher viscosity than New Life, Mobil 1 Peak Life 5W-60 is ideal for servicing it. In addition, the consumption of this oil is less. The product complies with API SJ/SL/SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 and A3/B4, approved by VW 505.00, MB 229.3 and Porsche Special Oil.

III period

Engines of vehicles with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km are more sensitive to mechanical loads that increase from accelerated wear and require the use of oil with enhanced protective properties. Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 engine oil has been developed specifically for these vehicles.

Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 has low volatility which reduces waste consumption and reduces the need for topping up. It contains a high concentration of seal swell regulators to help prevent oil leakage in used car engines.

According to its characteristics, Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 is similar to the oils described above, but differs from them:

• Greater concentration of anti-wear additives for engine protection
• Reduced oil consumption due to a specially selected concentration of additives that control seal swelling

Vehicles with high mileage require the use of more viscous oils. Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 provides optimum oil film thickness to protect engine parts. The high viscosity of Mobil 1 Extended Life 10W-60 prevents it from leaving loose gaps or evaporating at high temperatures. The content of additives in the oil is increased: anti-wear - for improved protection of parts; seal swelling regulators - to eliminate or reduce leakage through worn seals.

Many car owners are concerned with the question of which engine oil is most favorable for high mileage engines. All parts and components of automotive internal combustion engines need constant high-quality lubrication. The performance properties and characteristics of the engine depend on the quality of engine oil.

The effect of lubrication on the operation of an automobile engine

The right choice of brand of engine oil ensures the stability of the internal combustion engine of each car, regardless of its model and year of manufacture. The following performance indicators depend on how the lubrication system of the machine works:

1. Total fuel consumption.
2. Vehicle mileage before the next overhaul.
3. Lubricant consumption.
4. Time between full oil changes.
5. Wear resistance of parts and assemblies of the power unit.
6. Power characteristics of the engine.
7. Exhaust gas cleanliness.

The list presented does not include all the parameters that depend on the quality of the motor fluid poured into the tank of a particular car. The effectiveness of the lubricant used is determined by the condition of the working surfaces of the motor elements and the stability of its operation.

Starting the engine on a cold, the acceleration time of the car, the developed speed, power and other performance characteristics are directly dependent on the correct choice of engine oil.

The choice of oil for cars with high mileage

Lubricant manufacturers create substances suitable for various situations. Automakers, for their part, give recommendations on which components should be preferred in specific situations.

For new cars, this issue is easily solved. They are under warranty, drivers have the opportunity to contact auto service companies at any time to clarify the appropriate brand of engine oil. In addition, the vehicle passport contains detailed instructions on the appropriate lubricant for this model.

However, difficulties with the right choice arise when you need to purchase engine oil for a high mileage engine. In this case, the activities for topping up and replacing the lubricant become much more complicated.

Criticality of the traversed path

Many are interested in what mileage is the limit for a given vehicle. After all, the term "high mileage" does not give a complete idea that it is time to repair the internal combustion engine due to changes in its parts and assemblies (wear, destruction).

To determine that many kilometers have been covered, there are no unambiguous indicators in numbers. It is believed that a domestic engine that has worked for 100 thousand km has a high mileage. At the same time, the characteristics of some Japanese power units do not change after ten thousand kilometers. The average path without the need for major repairs and the risk of breakage from wear for imported engines is 150 - 200 thousand km.

If a foreign motor starts to fail before the established mileage standards, then it is operated with violations:

• use of low-quality fuel;
• the brand of engine oil does not correspond to the recommended one;
• violation of the recommended regimen between service lubricant changes.

Compliance with the established rules when carrying out the procedure for replacing engine oil is of great importance. These activities are recommended to be trusted by experienced employees in a car service.

Features of the operation of engines after long runs

Parts and components in internal combustion engines that have come a long way have significant wear. Elements of the cylinder-piston group are especially susceptible to it. Wear of pistons, cylinders, seals and valves leads to the following violations in the operation of the power unit:

1. Reduced engine compression.
2. Increase in fuel consumption.
3. Deterioration of dynamic performance.
4. Difficulties when starting the engine.
5. The increase in the harmful effects of oxidative processes.
6. Loss of effectiveness of lubricant additives.

Switching to synthetics

The wear of the working elements of the engine is immediately reduced, fuel consumption is normalized. With the help of synthetics, metal surfaces are protected from oxidation and corrosion for a long period.

Synthetic lubricant facilitates the "cold start" of the power unit. Low viscosity gives it additional fluidity, so that the crankshaft rotates freely at low ambient temperatures. When using synthetics, fuel is saved when the engine is turned on. Start-up is fast, preventing parts from wearing out quickly.

The effectiveness of special additives

During the operation of the car, the parts of the power unit receive constant wear. There are several states of wear:

• run-in stage;
• steady state;
• emergency condition.

Parts and components of engines with high mileage are at the last emergency stage. Their wear develops rapidly, which can lead to an early breakdown. To get out of such situations, manufacturers of motor oils have developed additional substances - additives in the lubricating fluid.

Due to the presence of an anti-wear booster, the thickness of the protective film increases. The oil layer protects the parts from the destructive friction forces that arise during the mutual contact of moving surfaces inside the motor. This technology is the most effective wear protection.

Additives that prevent the formation of various deposits and deposits do not allow paralyzing the operation of an internal combustion engine. They actively wash away the precipitation formed earlier. As a result of these additives, engine power is increased, oil and fuel consumption is reduced.

In any case, worn out motors cannot be made new and young. Experienced experts advise using lubricants with a high viscosity. For example, if the engine passport contains recommendations on the use of 5w 40 motor lubricant, you need to fill in 5w 50 brand oil instead.

This solution is a temporary compromise. It will help to even out the operation of the power unit, but will not improve its physical condition.

Operation of engines with high mileage on semi-synthetic lubricants

When using semi-synthetics in engines with high mileage, an indelible thin protective film is formed. This effect is due to the unique magnetic properties of the complex elements that make up these lubricants.

Conclusion

When choosing the right lubricant for your car, you must be guided by the recommendations of automakers. The instructions contain detailed information on the permissible viscosity and other characteristics of engine oil.

Motorists often face the problem of choosing a lubricant for high mileage engines. Most often, vehicle owners cannot figure out what oil viscosity to use for the power unit.

This is due to the fact that the parameters and characteristics of certain engine models differ from each other. Therefore, when choosing a lubricant, special attention should be paid to the tolerances and standards from the vehicle manufacturer.

For example, for a Volkswagen Bora car, the manufacturer recommends using oil with a viscosity of 5w40. If the owner of the vehicle fills the ICE system with a lubricant with an index of 10w40 or 15w40, then there will be problems associated with pumping fluid in the oil pump.

This is especially true in the winter period, when severe frosts are observed. If you fill in 0w20, then the engine will start to wear out, since the oil will have high fluidity and, as a result of warming up the engine, will not be able to provide adequate protection for metal parts and mechanisms.

High mileage engine

As a rule, when a car crosses the line of 200 thousand kilometers, experts recommend using semi-synthetics instead of synthetics. First of all, this is due to the loss of engine performance. Therefore, in order to know which oil with which viscosity to use, it is necessary to take into account the technical condition of the engine.

An increase in ICE mileage implies certain changes and requirements for the viscosity of the lubricant. Experienced mechanics recommend filling the engine with oil with a high index for optimal fluidity and lubrication of worn parts. The sooner the car owner replaces the composition with an analogue with the appropriate viscosity characteristics, the greater the likelihood of maintaining the functional state of the internal combustion engine.

It is also worth noting that it is not recommended to fill in worn engines with too fluid oils with a high viscosity index, such as 20w50, 10w50. Due to the liquid state, the formed microfilm will regularly drain from the surface of rubbing mechanisms, which can lead to wear and overheating of parts.

Therefore, in order to choose the most optimal oil viscosity for both the winter and summer periods, it is necessary to stop at 5w40, 10w40. In severe frosts, you can use 0w20, and then make a smooth transition to 5w30.

Recommendations from experts on the choice of oil viscosity

According to the opinion of auto mechanics and vehicle manufacturers, it is necessary to use:

1. All-weather 5w40, if the engine mileage is more than 100 thousand km. In the summer, 10w30 is recommended for the motor;
2. All-weather 5w50, if the engine mileage is more than 250 thousand km. For the winter - 5w40 or 10w

But taking into account these recommendations, we note the fact that the power unit may lose functionality and be worn out already after reaching 50 thousand km. Therefore, such indicators should be considered only in the presence of normal engine performance.

Pumping engine fluid

Oil pumping is the possibility of its unhindered passage through the engine oil system. Cranking is responsible for the cold start of the internal combustion engine. It is on these two parameters that the choice of viscosity parameters of the lubricant depends.

For example, a car oil with an index of 5w has a minimum pumping at t -35 ° C. The oil cranking temperature is -30°C. That is, with this indicator, the engine can be started in the cold.

Therefore, 5w motor lubricant can be used in temperate climatic zones with a smooth transition to the northern regions, where temperatures in winter do not exceed -35 ° C.

SAE viscosity grades	Low temperature viscosity		High temperature viscosity
	pumping	cranking	At 100°C/mm²/s		Minimum at 150°C
	Maximum at temperature, mPa		Minimum	Maximum
0w	60000 mPa -40°C	6200 mPa -35°C	3.8	-	-
5w	60000 mPa -35°C	6600 mPa -30°C	3.8	-	-
10w	60000 mPa -30°C	7000 mPa -25°C	4.1	-	-
15w	60000 mPa -25°C	7000 mPa -20°C	5.6	-	-
20w	60000 mPa -20°C	9500 mPa -15°C	5.6	-	-
25w	60000 mPa -15°C	13000 mPa -10°C	9.3	-	-
20	-	-	5.6	9,3	2,6
30	-	-	9.3	12,5	2,9
40