Each vehicle has its own engine oil change intervals. VAZ-2106 is a domestic car that requires updating every 10-15 thousand kilometers. Other car brands have their own terms. For example, the frequency of running on gasoline is 15 thousand kilometers. And a car that has just rolled off the assembly line - after the starting 3,000 km, since during the first time of the operation of a new engine, chips accumulate in the oil.

The frequency in the Renault diesel engine is 10 thousand kilometers. It is pointless to list brands and models, and manufacturer's recommendations are not always applicable in real conditions. Therefore, it is easier to figure out for yourself how and what the engine oil change frequency depends on. Volkswagen, Lada, Dodge or any other car needs it to function properly.

Why change the oil

It is impossible to answer this question in one word. After all, oil in a car plays an important role, which is not limited to one or two functions. First of all, the oil reduces the fuel consumption of the engine. And this is important in the current economic situation. The "heart" of the car works more steadily, does not smoke and does not stall with a high-quality lubricating fluid. Thanks to the oil, engine breakdowns are reduced and power is increased. It lubricates all parts in the engine during operation, the walls in the cylinder block. Thus, the friction of the parts with each other is reduced and the operation of the car engine is facilitated. And as a result, power increases and fuel consumption decreases.

In no case do not try to save money on engine oil, as it is it that makes it possible for the "heart" of your iron horse to work.

Engine oil change intervals

When buying a car, each driver refers to the manufacturer's recommendations for changing the lubricant. For modern engines, taking into account the increased quality of the oil, it is recommended to replace it on average every 13 thousand kilometers. However, it is worth considering here: the manufacturer expects the operation to be carried out under normal conditions. After all, the worse the environment in which the vehicle is used, the greater the oil consumption and, therefore, the more often it is necessary to replace it. Non-standard conditions include: frequent changes in climatic conditions (sudden temperature changes, strong winds, high humidity, etc.), driving on uneven surfaces (for example, in the mountains), frequent transportation of heavy objects. If the driving conditions are considered abnormal, the mileage before changing the oil should be reduced by thirty percent. That is, on average, it will need to be changed after 9-10 thousand kilometers.

Please note that driving around the city is equivalent to non-standard conditions. This is due to frequent traffic jams, which eat up oil as quickly as off-road.

What affects the frequency of oil change

Factors affecting the frequency of oil changes:

• Car engine condition.
• Vehicle age.
• Oil quality.
• Driving manner.
• Calendar period.
• Fuel quality.
• Frequency of vehicle use.

What to do to reduce the frequency of oil changes

The frequency of renewal of the lubricant can be reduced by performing some actions:

• Change the oil and filter after buying a used car.
• Do not fill a motor that makes a knocking or unusual noise with lubricant. Diagnose the engine at a service station.
• After a long period of inactivity, condensation forms, which impairs the properties of the oil.
• A sharp start and quick acceleration are some of the reasons for rapid wear.
• The use of the type of oil depends on the season.
• Purchase of quality fuel.

The quality of the lubricating fluid affects how often you change it, therefore, the selection process must be approached responsibly.

Types and properties of oils:

• Mineral. Most viscous. Requires replacement every 4,000 km.
• Synthetic. It has the highest price due to its high protective properties.
• Semi-synthetic. In our climate, it is the best choice, since in winter it warms up the engine quickly, and the parts are protected from damage.

Diesel engine oil change

Due to the different structure in this engine, oil changes are made twice as often as in others. So, for example, when using gasoline, the lubricant should be renewed after 15 thousand kilometers. And in a diesel engine, you will have to change the oil after 8000 km.

Owners of cars with this type of engine should be careful when choosing a lubricant. For the most part, semi-synthetic and synthetic oils are suitable for a diesel engine, but it will not be superfluous to ask for help when choosing an operating manual.

Replacement instructions

Before starting to change the oil in the engine, you should choose the correct and high quality one. You already know which lubricant to give preference, so it will not be difficult to determine the right one for you. After you have found what you are looking for, you can start the process itself.

Warm up the engine to the minimum operating temperature. If you have just arrived, then, on the contrary, wait until the oil has cooled down a little. This is necessary so as not to burn your hands. Now prepare a container into which you will drain the remaining oil inside the motor. When everything is ready, you can start unscrewing the plug on the engine crankcase. Most often this is the lowest point on the pallet. For convenience, you can use the instruction manual for your vehicle. First of all, using a wrench, unscrew the plug, then help with our hands. Substitute the container in advance, as the oil will start pouring out suddenly and at a very high speed. Therefore, it is better to insure yourself in advance. Also, these manipulations will allow you not to lose the crankcase plug.

On average, it takes about five minutes to drain the oil, in rare cases a little more. Don't worry if you haven't completely removed it from the engine. This is not scary, because, as a rule, about three percent of the old oil remains in the engine.

Carefully inspect the drained liquid in the container. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of various impurities in the merged oil. Depending on their number, it is easy to determine whether it is necessary to flush the engine, or this time you can only do with replacing the fluid.

If there is not a lot of impurities, simply fill in new oil. Check the filling of the engine on the dipstick. The oil in the engine should be approximately 80% of the total volume. Then, during the operation of the car, you will only add oil as needed. Now pay attention to If necessary, change it too. This completes the oil change process.

When to change the filter

It is necessary to make sure that the lubricating fluid is filtered. If it is clogged, then the engine running at this time is equivalent to driving without it. Any filter must be updated every 10 thousand km. For example, the frequency of oil change in a Mercedes engine has the same interval. Failure to take action to update it in a timely manner will damage the motor. The reason for this will be a dirty filter, which is not able to purify the oil, so it will begin to flow to the rubbing vapors uncleaned, which in the future will result in expensive repairs for the owner.

Vacuum change

Sometimes it is not possible to renew the lubricating fluid in the engine in time. And here express (vacuum) replacement comes to the rescue. The process is based on the extraction of used oil under pressure in a few minutes. This is done using special equipment located at the service station. That is, you will not be able to perform this procedure on your own. Vacuum oil change has its followers and opponents. Many people think that such an update of the lubricant is detrimental to the car engine. Others do the opposite. Therefore, each car owner decides for himself what is best for his vehicle.

The frequency of changing the oil in the VAZ 2107 engine

Domestic cars require more frequent renewal of consumables. Therefore, we will take a closer look at changing the oil on the VAZ 2107.

The first update of the lubricant after purchase is carried out after the first 3000 km of run. Then - every 4000.

Oil change algorithm:

• To begin with, the car is driven onto an overpass.
• Place a drainage container under the engine.
• The plug is unscrewed from the neck.
• Using a wrench, unscrew the drain plug (use wrench 17).
• Unscrew the oil filter by hand. If it doesn't work, use the key.
• Use a clean piece of cloth to wipe the filter mating plane. Replace it.
• Tighten the oil drain plug.
• Fill in lubricating fluid.
• Apply engine oil to the rubber ring.
• Screw the filter back into place.
• Pour in oil using a watering can, controlling the level on the dipstick.
• Screw on the filler cap.
• Start the engine and check the quality of the replacement.

All actions are almost the same as when updating the lubricant in other cars.

Oil change in foreign cars

Changing the oil in the engine of different brands does not differ significantly. It can be performed following the example of renewing the lubricating fluid from the VAZ 2107. The main difference is the mileage, after which it is necessary to change the oil in domestic and foreign cars. So, for vehicles of our production, it is small, which cannot be said about foreign ones. For example, the frequency of oil change in a Mitsubishi Outlander engine is every 15,000 kilometers. This is almost six times less than that of the VAZ 2107.

For both an experienced vehicle owner and a beginner, it will be useful to remember the recommendations of auto mechanics:

• When changing the oil filter yourself, be sure to fill it halfway. This will make it easy to start the engine for the first time. Lightly lubricate the filter elastic.
• Choose your engine oil manufacturer carefully. Remember that viscosity is not the most important criterion.

Many car owners have a misconception about diesel oil change intervals... Let's try to figure out logically how to derive the optimal interval, and also debunk some of the myths about oil changes.

Although some vehicle manufacturers recommend long enough oil change intervals, this may not always apply to the specific operating conditions of the vehicle. First of all, this is due to the rather difficult operating conditions of most cars. For example, in the conditions of the Russian Federation, broadest range of road surface options, from dirt roads to autobahns... In the first case, the car units are under increased load. off-road, in the second - high speeds.

The factors of increased load include a wide variety of climatic zones in our countries, which means periodic operation at severe frosts and in hot conditions... Add to this many hours of traffic jams in megacities, and it becomes obvious that the operating conditions of a real car are far from "laboratory" ones. In this case, a more frequent diesel oil change will avoid many problems. Changing the oil and oil filter regularly will help to maximize the life of your engine.

What is the function of engine oil?

Most people believe that engine oil is only made to lubricate engine parts. This is how it was several decades ago. Modern engine oil is much more than just a lubricant, it is absolutely necessary to keep the engine and other components of the car in working order.

So, modern engine oil in a car:

• protects all engine parts from corrosion;
• cools the engine and its parts;
• removes wear and carbon deposits from the engine, leaving them on the filter screen.

But all these functions can only be performed fresh oil, since over time the oil "wears out" and loses a significant part of its effectiveness for a number of reasons.

Reasons for the deterioration of oil properties

The main reasons for the deterioration of oil properties include:

• excessive overheating
• decrease in viscosity
• pollution
• depletion of additive package

Let's analyze each of the reasons in more detail.

Excessive overheating.

While the combustion temperature of your oil can fluctuate around the 100-110 degrees mark, it will reach much higher temperatures inside the engine. This can lead to burning out, coking (ashing) as well as other problems, including loss of oil pressure due to too low viscosity in extreme situations. This build-up of burnt oil over time can clog the oil passages and cause serious damage. It is worth noting that synthetic oil is less susceptible to heat stress as it has been designed to operate at higher temperatures.

Reduced viscosity.

Modern automotive oils have a wide range of viscosities that vary with oil temperature. This is a very important property, since during cold start it is necessary that the oil is not too viscous, and when high temperatures it is important to maintain some viscosity to maintain pressure on the bearing surfaces. That is why on the packaging we see various markings of oils, for example 10W30 or 10W20, reflecting the viscosity characteristics of the oil. Manufacturers increase the viscosity index of oils using various additives. However, over time, additives degrade as a result of inevitable chemical reactions during operation. As a result, the oil loses its viscosity, which in turn negatively affects oil pressure, flow and other properties.

Synthetic oils are more stable in this respect and show less qualitative shift over time.

Contamination.

The oil actively cleans the internal components of the engine. Part of the additive package, especially in diesel oils, is detergent... The oil tends to trap contaminants (for example, ash formations), and "take" them away from the engine units into the oil filter, or dilute liquid and gas elements in the total volume of oil that impair system performance (for example, carbon, water, glycol).

Oil temperatures are almost always adjusted above 100 degrees Celsius to vaporize any water vapor, but excessive idling in a cool place can quickly attract moisture. Water is a particularly hazardous inclusion because it dilutes oil and ionizes acids, which are corrosive. Fuel can also dilute the oil, which in turn lowers its viscosity index. The only correct solution in case of significant contamination is to replace the oil in the diesel with a fresh one.

Depletion of additive package

To ensure the best oil quality, each oil company forms its own additive package. These may include zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), molybdenum disulfide, refractive index viscosity modifiers, seals conditioners, anti-foams, and other additives. Over time, these additives interact both with pollutants and directly with parts of the car's engine, with the result that their effectiveness is significantly reduced.

Some myths about diesel oil change.

"It is necessary to change the oil every 5000 km."

This is one of the recommendations that can be attributed to the "extremes". In fact, there is no reason to change the oil every 5000 km on the vast majority of motor vehicles. But there will be no harm from this either. The only "harm" to frequent oil changes in a diesel engine is unnecessary waste of money and time... This will not damage the engine in the slightest degree, so if you need to change the oil in a diesel every 4-5-6 thousand kilometers for peace of mind, then you can safely continue doing it.

"It is necessary to change the oil every 25,000 km."

This is another, but much more dangerous, extreme. Extending the oil change interval is easy not worth the "savings", the consequences can be much more expensive. The exception is some special vehicles that are designed to operate for long periods of time, in addition, some oil manufacturers produce products with an extended service life.

In the case of special equipment, the oil filter has an oversized size, which makes it possible to process and retain a large amount of contaminants. But using extended life oil on a regular car for a long time, in order to maintain the effect, it is necessary to regularly replace oil filter, in this case the filter change will be done more often than the oil change. "Synthetic oils only for new cars, mine is too old."

The synthetic oil will work in any engine... It has better properties than conventional oils, so the engine will thank you anyway.

By far the best way to determine the optimal oil change interval and grade is with your vehicle manual. It reflects the oil change interval in the diesel engine, the type and the minimum acceptable quality of the oil.

conclusions

There is no doubt that synthetic oil will protect your diesel engine like no other. But for many urban residents of central Russia who use a car in enough quiet mode, semi-synthetic or mineral oil is quite suitable. If you like high speeds or use a car often for the transport of heavy loads, it is in your best interest to change the oil more often and use synthetic oils, since such use significantly accelerates the aging of the oil. In addition, given the sharp temperature changes from winter to summer, it is advisable to consider using oils of different viscosities at certain times of the year, for example, more high viscosity in summer months and less viscous for cold starts in winter.

Regular diesel oil change is one of the most important aspects of long-term operation of your car! If you have any doubts about the frequency or type of oil for your diesel vehicle, our specialists are always ready to advise and help in choosing the best suitable product.

Changing the oil in a robot or variator will avoid premature wear of the gearbox, extend its service life, improve driving comfort and avoid accidents. The main thing is to entrust the work to professionals - STO SPOT. See for yourself - call by phone

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

Better at the same time be guided by the number of hours worked and the average speed... In the answer to 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), the mileage before oil change and the total mileage, the technical condition of the car and the oil used.

Also, additional factors affect the frequency of changing the oil in the engine - the number of operating hours, the power and volume of the engine, 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 on the change interval: in urban conditions, the oil "works" 8-12 thousand, on the highway / light mode without traffic jams it works out up to 15 thousand km. The most accurate way to find out when to change can only be provided by a laboratory analysis of oil consumption.

What affects the frequency of replacement

Each automaker in the manual for the car indicates detailed information about when to change the oil in the engine. 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 case, the number may differ). But in fact, several factors affect the mileage between replacements.

10 indicators affecting the timing of engine oil replacement

1. Fuel type (gas, petrol, diesel) and its quality
2. Engine volume
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 the oil change in the engine is affected by vehicle operation... Without going into the essence of various transient processes, it is worth mentioning two main modes - on the highway and in the city. The fact is that when the car is driving on the highway, firstly, the mileage accumulates much faster, and secondly, the engine is cooled normally. Accordingly, the load on the engine and on the oil used in it is not so high. On the contrary, if a car is used in a city, then its mileage will be much 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. In this case, the cooling will be insufficient.

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

Driving in a metropolis is rightly equated with driving on rough terrain in terms of how it ruins 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 stress due to the high temperature, including from the hot surfaces of roads in metropolitan areas.

Engine volume and type

What affects the frequency of oil changes

The more powerful the engine, the easier it is for it to cope with load changes as well as difficult operating conditions. Accordingly, the oil will not have such a strong effect. For a 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 therefore on the oil, will change smoothly.

A small car is another matter. 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 working revolutions. Accordingly, subcompact engines experience greater loads in critical modes than powerful ones. When the load on the engine increases, the temperature of its pistons also increases, and the amount of crankcase gases also increases. This leads to an overall rise in temperature, including the temperature of the oil.

It is especially hard for subcompact high-powered engines (for example, 1.2 TSI and others). In this case, the load is also supplemented by the turbine.

Additional factors

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

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

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

Why do you need regular oil changes?

Instrument panel display

What can happen to the car if the engine oil is not changed 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. They are the ones who protect engine parts.

During the operation of the machine, and even when it is parked, there is a continuous chemical destruction of the 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 of acidity change. These facts are the answers to the question - why change the oil once a year at least.

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 under significant load, the described processes in oil occur at an even higher rate. Especially at high temperatures. However, modern manufacturers are constantly improving the technologies and chemical compositions 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, the temperature of the oil and engine, the number of cold starts, the speed limit, and so on. In addition, the program takes into account errors and technical tolerances. Therefore, the computer only reports the approximate time when the engine oil needs to be changed.

Unfortunately, on the shelves of stores not only in the Russian Federation, but also in other CIS countries, a large number of low-quality or simply fake engine oils are currently sold. And given that our fuel is often of poor quality, the frequency of oil change still needs to be adjusted. In particular, if we talk about how many kilometers 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, regardless of whether you are using the machine or not.

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

• Sediment formation... The reasons for this phenomenon lie in the process of destruction of additives or contamination of the oil with combustion products in the engine crankcase. The consequences are a significant decrease in engine power, an increase in the content of toxic substances in the exhaust gases, and their blackening.
• Significant engine wear... Reasons - oils lose their properties due to changes in the composition of additives.
• Increase in oil viscosity... This can happen for the same reasons. In particular, due to oxidation or violation of polymerization of additives due to improper selection of oil. 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 the clogging of the oil channel with a thickened compound. The smaller its cross-sectional area, the greater the loads the connecting rod bushings are subjected to. Because of this, they overheat and crank.
• Significant turbocharger wear(if available). In particular. there is a high risk of damage to the rotor. It occurs because the used oil has a significant effect on the compressor shaft and bearings. As a result, they are damaged and scratched. And besides that, dirty oil leads to clogging of the lubrication channels of the compressor, which can lead to its seizure.

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

The problems described above are inherent in machines operating in urban environments. After all, it is she who is considered one of the most difficult for the engine. Below are some interesting factual data that were obtained experimentally. They will help you decide how far to change the engine oil.

Experimental results with oils

Specialists of the well-known automobile magazine "Za Rulem" carried out six-month studies of several types of synthetic oils under conditions of operation of cars in city traffic jams (at idle speed). For this, the engines worked for 120 hours (analogous to the run of 10 thousand kilometers on 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 idle operation 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 crankcase, where it all mixes with oil. In this case, there may be some (small) amount of oil in the fuel.

The drop in viscosity of engine oil is about 0.4 ... 0.6 cSt (centistokes). This value is in the range of 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 at 70 ... 100 hours(each oil is different, but the trend is the same for all) the viscosity begins to rise 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. These products have a certain acidity, which is transferred to the oil. The lack of ventilation and low turbulence of the air-fuel mixture due to the fact that the piston moves relatively slowly are also affected. Because of this, the fuel combustion rate is below average, and the ingress of exhaust gases into the crankcase is maximized.

The widespread opinion that a large amount of dirt is formed in the engine at idle 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 products of wear, their quantity is much higher in the oil used in the "plug" mode than in the one that was on the "highway". The reason for this is the low piston speed and the high operating temperature of the oil (no ventilation). With regard to waste, each oil behaves in its own way. 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 after how many kilometers to change the oil in the engine.

Next, we will dwell in more detail on the question of how often to change the oil in the engine. As stated above, the recommendations of the automakers should be very skeptical. Don't completely ignore them, but make your own amendments... If you drive a car only in urban conditions (according to statistics, there are a majority of such car owners), then this means that the oil is used in heavy duty. Remember that the less oil in the crankcase, the faster it ages. Therefore, its optimum level is slightly lower on the indicator dipstick.

How many thousand will it take to change the engine oil?

Calculating engine hours for oil change

Above we wrote that it is more competent to calculate the frequency of oil change by 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 techniques 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 for the last at least one thousand kilometers (the greater the 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 recommendations of the automaker for which mileage you need to change the oil. For example, the mileage before the oil change is 15 thousand kilometers, and the average speed in the city is 29.5 km / h.

Accordingly, in order to calculate the number of engine hours, the distance must be divided by the speed. In our case, it will be 15000 / 29.5 = 508 engine 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 engine hours. However, in reality, such oils simply do not exist today.

We offer you a table showing the types of engine oils and the corresponding values ​​of engine hours according to API (American Petroleum Institute):

Suppose that the car engine is filled with SM / SN oil, which has a working 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 strikingly 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 metropolitan areas, taking into account traffic jams and downtime), then with the same 350 engine hours we will get 7,525 km of run! Now it becomes clear why it is necessary to divide the mileage recommended by the car manufacturer 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 according to the passport your car spends per 100 km of track, 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. The replacement mileage remains the same - 15,000 km. We will derive the proportion and find out how much in theory the car must spend on overcoming 15,000 km: 15,000 km * 8 liters / 100 km = 1200 liters. Now let's make similar 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 theoretical 1200 liters of fuel). Let's use a similar proportion: 1200 liters * 15000 km / 1590 liters = 11320 km.

We present for you an electronic calculator that will allow you to calculate the actual mileage before 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 whether the oil has thickened or burnt. His condition can be assessed visually. If you see the oil dripping off the dipstick like water, then this is a sure sign that the oil needs to be replaced. Another interesting method of checking is by spreading the composition on a napkin. Very thin oil will form a large and liquid stain that will tell you that it is time to change the liquid. If so, immediately go to a car service or carry out the procedure yourself.

How often to change the oil in a diesel engine

With regard to diesel engines, the same calculation logic applies here as for gasoline units. It is only necessary to take into account that the working fluid in them is exposed to greater external influences. As a result, you need to change it a little more often. In addition, domestic diesel fuel has a high sulfur content, which has a detrimental effect on the car engine.

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

In theory, oil selection is based on total base number (TBN). It measures the amount of active corrosion inhibitors in the oil and indicates the tendency of their formulations to form deposits. The higher the number, the greater the ability of the oil to neutralize acidic and corrosive 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 of products in the oil that provoke an increase in corrosion and the intensity of wear of various pairs of friction in a car engine.

However, before deciding how many hours to change the oil in an engine running on diesel fuel, it is necessary to deal with one nuance. In particular, can engine oils with a low base number (TBN) be used 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 decreases, and the acid number increases. 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 ruins the engine. We present to your attention graphs of tests of four types of oils with different indicators of acid and base numbers. For the experiment, four types of oils were taken with the conventional 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 you can see from the graph, the test results were as follows:

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

That is, the most persistent oil turned out to be for heavily loaded diesel engines. What conclusions can be drawn based on the information provided:

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

For general reasons, it should be added that in diesel engines it is necessary to change the oil a little more often than in gasoline ones. And it is worth choosing it, including by the value of the total acid and base numbers.

conclusions

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

As a result, increased demands are made on the quality of diesel engine oil. The oil change intervals in a diesel engine are affected by the quality of the refueled diesel fuel, as well as the operating conditions of a particular power unit.

Modern diesel engines require the use of oils, the class of which is not lower than B2 according to ACEA (CD according to API). As for the viscosity, the selection is carried out according to the tolerances of the manufacturer of one or another. The most widely used for diesel engines are universal synthetic and semi-synthetic oils with the index 5W40 and 10W40. In addition, you must take into account the type of oil used (mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic oil) and strictly adhere to the recommended drain interval.

As already mentioned, the quality of diesel fuel and certain operating conditions directly affect the life of the engine oil. If the lubricant is not changed in a timely manner, the old oil accumulates dust and dirt particles.

Additives in oil tend to disintegrate over time, which leads to a loss of the ability to effectively lubricate and protect friction surfaces from wear, and deterioration decreases.

In critical cases, there is a complete blockage of the entire engine with dirty and thickened oil, which leads to serious damage to the power unit. For a diesel engine, this means extremely expensive repairs.

1. During the operation of a diesel engine, it is recommended to use one brand of oil corresponding to all tolerances, which was originally intended for a diesel engine (it is not universal). In parallel with changing the engine oil, the oil filter of the engine lubrication system must be changed.
2. The rapid darkening and even blackening of the engine oil after its replacement directly indicates the active effect of the dispersant and detergent additives that are necessarily included in its composition. A change in color does not mean that the lubricant has lost its properties.
3. Continuous driving on oil of the same type and manufacturer eliminates the possibility of interaction of old oil residues with fresh oil and the formation of insoluble deposits in the engine. It turns out that the need to flush the diesel engine before changing the oil becomes much less relevant.
4. To insure yourself against the purchase of a fake, buy engine oil only from an authorized dealer or at official points of sale.

Read also

How to choose an oil for a diesel engine, the main characteristics. Universal oil for (turbo) diesel, recommendations, automakers' approvals.

Which oil is better for filling a diesel engine: synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral. What type of oil to pour into a turbodiesel, operation and replacement.

Features of a diesel engine and properties of diesel engine oils. The influence of diesel fuel and gasoline on engine oil, especially the combustion of the mixture. Base and additives.