One of the leading places among automotive lubricants occupied by American. Typically, US manufacturers Supplies First of all, they focus on environmental friendliness, then on quality indicators. As a result, American motor oils have virtually no complaints about any technical parameters.

Depending on the manufacturing technology, motor fluids are divided into groups:

1. Synthetics. Oil obtained artificially. The composition contains special additives that make it high quality product. On the market, such oils are sold at fairly high prices.
2. Mineral water. Refined petroleum products are used for production. There is no need to talk about high quality; they are distinguished by the lowest cost.
3. Semi-synthetic. Technological process manufacturing involves mixing synthetic products with mineral oil. The result is not expensive, but average quality motor oil.

Before lubricants are sent for sale, they are all examined and, if necessary, modified by the American Automotive Engineers, or SAE for short. Here a standard was developed that established the type of viscosity, as well as certain temperature indicators.

How are American oils designated?

All specified characteristics of motor oils have a certain specific code. Knowing it, you can easily find it the right composition for your car.

Usually the SAE value is indicated next to the oil brand. If the designation contains the letter W, it means that it is intended for use in winter period when on the street subzero temperature. For example, the inscription 20 W indicates that the oil can be used at minus 20.

For summer season the designation looks like SAE - 20. In other words, the properties are designed to operate at 20 heat. All-season products are labeled slightly differently - SAE 20 W - 30, that is, it is designed for winter temperatures of 15 degrees, and in summer +30 degrees.

For a gasoline engine, the letter S is included in the designation, for a diesel engine power plant the letter C is written. When checking the quality of a motor oil, its characteristics are determined and designated by a code, starting with the letter A. The oil marked with the letter J will have the worst quality, the highest quality will be marked with the letter A, then the numbers are added:

• Two-stroke engine – 2;
• Four-stroke unit – 4.

Universal motor lubricant, which can be used with any type of fuel, has the abbreviation SA/CB type. According to the letters, it is intended for use in gasoline engine, has impeccable quality(A). Similar standards apply in European countries. Such designations must be present on all labels of high-quality lubricating products.

Types of American motor oils

Mobile

Synthetics, which include a number of special additives, improving its properties. Possesses high performance, designed for operation in a wide temperature range.

• Perfectly lubricates all moving parts;
• Thanks to special detergent additives, keeps engine parts perfectly clean;
• Practically does not burn;
• Prevents corrosion;
• Protects parts from increased wear.

Petro

Semi-synthetic with a viscosity of 10W-30. Freely withstands 10 frosts. The properties of the oil do not change at 30 Celsius. Reliably protects all engine mechanisms, prevents increased wear;

• Prevents corrosion;
• Prevents rings from sticking and wear;
• Extends the life of bearings;
• Cleans the system from harmful exhaust gases;
• Features minimal consumption.

Caterpillar

Mineral oil for use in diesel units, equipped with 10W -15W. Can work at temperatures +/- 40. Special substances included in the composition provide excellent antioxidant properties. As a result, in piston system There is never any deposition of harmful substances;

• Highly economical;
• Off-season, can be used in wide range temperature values.
• Prevents the formation of corrosion.

Chevron

Mineral water intended for freight transport, cars with diesel engine. Has a viscosity of 15W-40. Properties do not change when high temperature. The oil can be used for a long period of time when the engine is running at high speeds.

• Due to minimal evaporation, it is economical;
• Never changes color;
• Applicable in various climatic zones;
• Protects against corrosion.

John Deere

Mineral liquid with viscosity 15 W - 20W. Does not change its properties at temperatures reaching 40 degrees.

• Prevents corrosive formations;
• It never gets dark;
• Reliably protects rings;
• Increases the service life of bearings.

The characteristics of the oil allow it to be used at high temperatures.

American oil level

American oil level

They have high quality And low price. This does not seem to please European fuel and lubricant manufacturers very much - and statements regularly appear that due to “significant” differences in the requirements of certification systems, in engine design, operating conditions, etc., they say, “American motor oils are not suitable for European engines". The most surprising thing is that the following are not considered counter-arguments:

• successful experience in operating domestic, European and Japanese cars with us;
• successful operation of European and Japanese cars using American oils in America;
• successful operation of European and Japanese cars using American oils in Europe.

Suffice it to say: the States have easy operating conditions. But in reality, everything is not so simple. Let's remember how “good” it is to drive in a traffic jam? and cities like New York are famous for many kilometers of traffic jams. What about the resource of oils and the engine? " Bad oil", they change it after 5,000 km. But the actually spent resource is approaching 10,000 km - usual for mineral oil. Meanwhile, all (!) car manufacturers consider the urban cycle, constant movement high speed, towing difficult conditions work on the vehicle and recommend shortening service intervals.
What about standards then? In 1994, the European Union Car Design Committee - CCMC ceased to exist. The legal successor of this organization is ACEA, European Association Automotive Manufacturers used CCMC standards from 1994 to 1996. By 1996, it had developed its own requirements, and only in 1998 new requirements appeared, actually dictated by changes in engine design.
Look at the date of introduction of the standards, the year of manufacture of your car and the “new” price for motor oils produced in Europe. Do you feel like you're being forced to pay money for something you don't really need? The global increase in oil prices has led to an increase in oil prices. However, companies responded to this increase in different ways: for American oils, we can talk about a decrease in the percentage of discounts for wholesalers, which does not affect retail prices in any way. At the same time, European oils have risen in price by an average of 20-25%.

A curious situation is developing with American motor oils. They are of high quality and low price. This does not seem to please European fuel manufacturers very much - and statements regularly appear that due to “significant” differences in the requirements of certification systems, engine design, operating conditions, etc., they say, “American motor oils are not suitable for European engines".

The most surprising thing is that the following are not considered counter-arguments:

• We have successful experience in operating domestic, European and Japanese cars
• Successful operation of European and Japanese cars using American oils in America
• Successful operation of European and Japanese cars using American oils in Europe

Suffice it to say: the States have easy operating conditions. But in reality, everything is not so simple. Let's remember how “good” it is to drive in a traffic jam? and cities like New York are famous for many kilometers of traffic jams. What about the resource of oils and the engine? “Bad oil”, they change it after 5000 km. But the actual spent resource is close to 10,000 km - typical for mineral oil. Meanwhile, all (!) car manufacturers consider the urban cycle, constant driving at high speed, and towing to be difficult operating conditions for a car and recommend shortening service intervals.

What about standards then? In 1994, the EC-CCMC car design committee ceased to exist. The successor to this organization, ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, used CCMC standards from 1994 to 1996. By 1996, it had developed its own requirements, and only in 1998 new requirements appeared, actually dictated by changes in engine design.

It is not by chance that I dwell on the chronology of events. Look at the date of introduction of the standards, the year of manufacture of your car and the “new” price for motor oils produced in Europe. Do you feel like you're being forced to pay money for something you don't really need? The global increase in oil prices has led to an increase in oil prices. However, companies responded to this increase in different ways: for American oils, we can talk about a decrease in the percentage of discounts for wholesalers, which does not affect retail prices in any way. At the same time, European oils have risen in price by an average of 20-25%.

The following systems describe the quality oil level:

• – American, first, global
• (CCMC) is a European system, and we can already say that it is also global. The fact is that leading American "oil" companies necessarily conduct tests for compliance with the requirements of this system

First of all, I would like to remember Castrol and Mobil - it turns out that the oil was produced in America, for American cars and American light conditions, and among the approvals there are approvals of European companies, the tests of which are mandatory for acea certification. And for some reason it’s called drive hard – “ difficult conditions"So, after all, they make oils in America for European cars, and Europe is not a panacea, especially at such “new” prices.

Catalog of recommended lubricants chek-chart publications are the same for all oil companies. In these catalogs you will not find the names of oils belonging to a particular company, but only the requirements set by the car manufacturer for the viscosity and quality of oils and special fluids.

And further. All oils imported from Europe carry groups API quality, but in Germany only 4 companies have an API license, in Finland - 2, in Belgium - in Poland there are no such companies at all. In the USA, 235 companies have an API license. Waiver of licensing is a way to save money.

And everyone uses this to varying degrees: in the US, API is more important, in Europe, ACEA and automaker approval are more important.

Let's not forget how popular European and Japanese cars are in America. Firms from Europe and Japan have won a tasty piece of the overseas “auto pie”, and it is simply impossible to abandon European and Japanese standards. Therefore, American oils are certified to comply with ACEA, ILSAC, JASO standards and can be used in engines of European and Japanese cars.

And the most important thing that raises the American question is the final price of the product. American oils are cheaper, this is due to new technologies and cheaper and higher quality raw materials. The American question is not a question of quality or customer care. This is a matter of competition, in which, after raising prices by 20-25%, many European manufacturers lose.

» American motor oils – truth and fiction

In the process of preparing the article, several topics were selected related to the selection of oils, quality, and manufacturer's requirements. The final choice of topic was determined by an advertising article about one popular trademark. The main thesis of the article is different methods for testing motor oils in Europe and America and their use in European engines. A careful study of this question turns out that the answer is far from clear-cut.

The long-boring and seemingly solved problem of using American oils was once again revived. Well, let's figure out whether American motor oils can be used in European and Japanese engines. In our conversation, we will not rely on numbers and test methods, although this is interesting, it carries information only for specialists. We will review the suitability of American-made motor oils various systems classifications.

The Escort company supplies products from America and Canada. The assortment includes motor oils from popular manufacturers - Quaker State, Sunoco, Mobil, Noco, so the characteristics of products of these brands will be given in the conversation. And you, dear reader, will have the opportunity to compare and draw conclusions. So.

It’s nice that the topic of the location of the rings on the piston is no longer raised. It remains to solve the problem of certification methods. Yes, methods API testing and ACEA are different, but if the motor oil has a certificate of conformity to the European system, therefore. it was also tested according to European methods. Examples? Please:

Quaker State Universal HDX SAE 15W-40, API CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF/SJ. SH, AGFA E2.96. MB 228.I

Castrol Syntec SAE SW-50. API SJ/CD, ACEA A3-96. ILSAC GF-2

Quaker State Synchron Ultra Premium SAE 5W-30 API SJ/CF, ACEA A1.96. ILSAC GF-2; SAE 5W-50 API SJ/CF. ACEA AZ-96 - these motor oils are produced in America and Canada, but are certified according to ACEA. Or have other test methods been developed for American oils in the ACEA system? No. Then what differences are we talking about? American-made motor oils CAN be used in European engines.

Another thing is the timing of the introduction of European classification systems. Until 1995, while the CCMS system was in effect, American oils were certified under it or additional tests to fully comply with the requirements. From 1995 to 1998, the SSMS system was replaced by ACEA. New requirements were introduced in 1996 and became full force. What about the “Americans”? From 1995 to 1998 on the packaging of motor oils it was indicated: the oils pass ACEA and JASO tests for wear of the gas distribution mechanism, deposit control, etc. Since 1999, ACEA quality groups have been indicated on the packaging.

Motor oils of these classes provide engine protection in high-speed and off-road conditions with a sulfur content in the fuel of up to 0.5%. Quaker State Universal HDX SAE 15W-40 - Provides engine protection up to 1.5% sulfur content, which exceeds the requirements of the CH-4 class.

Increased mileage. Mercedes White Pages:

• Sunoco Super C - page 227.1, permitted mileage in MB engines is 30 thousand km.
• Quaker State Universal HDX - page 228.1, permitted mileage in MV engines is up to 60 thousand km. In addition to the above oils, the MV White Pages contain oils from other American manufacturers.
• Noco Heavy Duty - SSMS D5 or ACEA EZ-96, permitted mileage 45 thousand km. And. all these are real products present in the warehouse of 000 “Escort”.

Let's move on to Japanese manufacturers. For the vast majority of Japanese cars produced after 1990, the recommended oils are SAE 5W-30 and IOW-30, API SH, SJ; ILSAC GF-1, GF-2 - a must! Proof - passport of any Japanese car release after 1990 - 1991 Or open the hood of, for example, the 300th Lexus - on filler neck SAE 5W-30, API SJ. Mitsubishi Corporation has approved the use of Quaker State oils in its vehicles without restrictions.

Thus, we have confirmed with examples that the use of motor oils produced on the North American continent in European engines is approved by the European classification system. And these same oils are successfully used in America in cars manufactured in Europe and Japan. And the most popular motor oil on this continent is Quaker State.

In conclusion, food for thought:

1. Our most popular motor oils are “Zhiguli class” SAE 15W-40. API SF/CC, in 1989 this class was replaced by SG, then SH (94). and S.J. ('97).
2. Class SF/CC is recommended for the majority of vehicles used by us.
3. The latest European system ACEA classification Products of this level are considered extremely rarely.

Since 1990 oils API class SF/CC are practically not produced in the USA.

ACEA requirements are mainly aimed at new cars manufactured after 1996. For example?

• BMW - until 1995, requirements for motor oils - SF, SG;
• Porsche before 1995 - SF/CD, SG/CD, SG/CD. But after 1995 - GF-1;
• SAAB - 1992-1997 — SF/CD, SG, SH.

And in our country it is generally accepted that oils produced in Europe, but according to old requirements, are “better” the latest oils, but released in the USA. These statements are closer to Murphy's laws than to chemistry, oil production technology and testing methods. After all, oils are certified according to one system - API, where SJ is much higher and better than SF. And the “truth” about American oils turned out to be a publicity stunt. But this is not the main thing. It is very unfortunate that the topic of counterfeits and the fight against them remains in the shadows. The final choice, of course, is up to you, Dear Car Enthusiast. We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Necessary information

SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers, describes oils by viscosity, but does not indicate quality.

API (USA) - American Petroleum Institute, was the first to describe and develop a classification of oils by quality.

ACEA (Europe) - European Association of Automobile Manufacturers, founded in 1994 instead of SSMC and also describes oils by quality, based on the requirements of car manufacturers (European, Japanese and branches American companies in Europe).

JASO (Japan) describes the requirements for motor oils according to the specifications of Japanese manufacturers.

ILSAC (Japan - USA) - International Committee for Standardization of Metrology and Certification, provides a description of oils used in Japanese and American cars. Mainly low-flow oils of SAE classes 5W-30 10W-30 are accepted for consideration. Production must comply with ISO 9002, ISO 14002…

Over the past decades, it was believed that butter was a harmful and useless product. It has been associated with obesity and heart disease. However, state-of-the-art research conducted in last years, forced the Department Agriculture(USDA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to return butter to the list of Healthy Foods. Moreover, leading nutritionists in the United States consider it an important component of the daily diet of every modern American.

Today there are five good reasons to consume high-quality butter in the amount of ten grams per day.

Firstly, it is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, E and K2. Of particular value is the rare K2, which enhances calcium metabolism and thereby reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and osteoporosis.

Second, butter is rich in healthy saturated fats. Unlike unhealthy fats used in fast food, they make you feel full faster. For example, A small portion of potatoes properly fried in butter will curb your appetite for 3 – 4 hours. This is impossible with the classic French fries from McDonald's or Burger King.

Thirdly, butter reduces the likelihood of a heart attack. The opposite statements were based solely on the popularity of margarine, which is not recommended for consumption in any form.
If in the USSR margarine was an alternative to butter, then New York legislators back in 1877 forbade merchants from selling it under the guise of a high-quality creamy product.

Fourthly, good oil rich in fatty butyrate acid(Fatty Acid Butyrate), which has a gentle effect on the digestive system and reduces anti-inflammatory processes in the body.

Fifthly, butter, like many other natural dairy products, has nothing to do with obesity. 10 grams (two tablespoons) contain 70 calories (about 3% of your daily value). Therefore, reducing its consumption for the sake of losing weight is pointless. It is much more important to exclude from the diet foods with which oil is usually consumed - white bread, pasta with sauce, cookies, cakes, etc.