How to choose engine oil for a used car?
Before you start choosing an engine oil for cars that are in long-term use, you should determine if your car has any problems. For example, is there a waste, if yes, then what kind (how often do you have to add oil?). What happens to oil pressure? Are there any extraneous sounds that are not typical of normal engine operation? Etc. If there are no external deteriorations in the operation of the engine, then when choosing an engine oil, first of all, we pay attention to:
Engine oil selection
Correct selection of oil performance properties. We select oils with the classifications and tolerances recommended for this car model. At the same time, you should not choose oils with the minimum permissible requirements (what they are according to SAE, API). To know more, check out: royal purple oil review
It is better to dwell on oils of the latest classifications, in the worst case (with limited financial resources) - on "mid-range oils" (what they are according to SAE, API). Although they are inferior in quality to the latest engine oils, their properties are still higher than those of oils with minimum permissible performance requirements (what they are according to SAE, API). And it is categorically impossible to choose oils with deliberately inappropriate, underestimated indicators and tolerances. This statement is also confirmed in new catalogs for the use of engine oils. Pay attention to the fact that in the most recent catalogs there are still models of cars of very old years of production, but you will not find engine oils with old classifications, for example, with the API SF / CC classification. Therefore, for veteran cars, it is better to use oils of more recent developments and classifications.
For the "old people"
But there are no rules without exceptions. There are restrictions on the use of some modern oils in older vehicles. This primarily applies to oils with a low high temperature shear viscosity (HTHS - High Temperature High Shear). Low viscosity oils (HTHS <3.5 mPa • s) are recommended for newer models of some vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, and the engine is specially designed for the use of these special low-viscosity oils. But the use of such an energy-saving oil in cars of earlier years of production can lead to a malfunction of the engine, up to and including its failure.
Engine oil selection
Correct selection of oil performance properties. We select oils with the classifications and tolerances recommended for this car model. At the same time, you should not choose oils with the minimum permissible requirements (what they are according to SAE, API). To know more, check out: royal purple oil review
It is better to dwell on oils of the latest classifications, in the worst case (with limited financial resources) - on "mid-range oils" (what they are according to SAE, API). Although they are inferior in quality to the latest engine oils, their properties are still higher than those of oils with minimum permissible performance requirements (what they are according to SAE, API). And it is categorically impossible to choose oils with deliberately inappropriate, underestimated indicators and tolerances. This statement is also confirmed in new catalogs for the use of engine oils. Pay attention to the fact that in the most recent catalogs there are still models of cars of very old years of production, but you will not find engine oils with old classifications, for example, with the API SF / CC classification. Therefore, for veteran cars, it is better to use oils of more recent developments and classifications.
For the "old people"
But there are no rules without exceptions. There are restrictions on the use of some modern oils in older vehicles. This primarily applies to oils with a low high temperature shear viscosity (HTHS - High Temperature High Shear). Low viscosity oils (HTHS <3.5 mPa • s) are recommended for newer models of some vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, and the engine is specially designed for the use of these special low-viscosity oils. But the use of such an energy-saving oil in cars of earlier years of production can lead to a malfunction of the engine, up to and including its failure.
This rule applies to oils that have the following classifications and approvals: ACEA A1 / B1, A5 / B5, ACEA C1, C2; VW 503.00 / 506.00 / 506.01; BMW LL-01FE (Longlife Oil-01FE); Ford 913 A / B or special instructions for lower HTHS dynamic viscosity. Oils with these specifications are not suitable for old cars.
Correct selection of engine oil viscosity... As mentioned above, the viscosity of the oil is determined by the operating conditions of the vehicle and its condition. It is the second criterion that becomes decisive when choosing an oil viscosity for used cars. You should also remember and take into account the problems during engine operation - waste, oil pressure, etc. If such violations are not observed, there are no restrictions on the choice of oil viscosity. In this case, you can only be guided by the climatic conditions of the car and your own wallet. To date, the optimal viscosity in terms of all-season use, energy saving, low-temperature and high-temperature parameters is an oil with a viscosity of SAE 5W-30.
For Japanese and American cars, regardless of the year of manufacture and service life, this viscosity is still optimal. A cheaper alternative for such vehicles can be oil with a viscosity of 10W-30. But for European hardworking cars, it is better to use oils with a viscosity of SAE 5W-40 or 10W-40.
If there are any deviations from the normal operation of the engine, special attention should be paid to the choice of viscosity. First of all, low-viscosity and energy-saving oils should be abandoned. Their low low-temperature, and in some cases high-temperature viscosity can only aggravate the existing problems, since in conditions of engine wear and disruption of its operating modes, the resulting protective oil film becomes thinner, less durable and no longer provides reliable protection of surfaces from wear and damage. In addition, low-viscosity oils have a higher volatility.
This increases the loss of oil to waste and contributes to even greater oil consumption. That is, in such problematic cases, oils with a higher viscosity at operating temperatures are required. And oils with viscosities 5W-50, 10W-50, 10W-60 come to the fore, 15W-50, 20W-50. But at the same time, when determining the viscosity, one should not forget about the operational properties of the oil. Only a competent combination of viscosity and oil specifications will allow you to extend the life of even a worn out engine and delay its overhaul.
Correct selection of engine oil viscosity... As mentioned above, the viscosity of the oil is determined by the operating conditions of the vehicle and its condition. It is the second criterion that becomes decisive when choosing an oil viscosity for used cars. You should also remember and take into account the problems during engine operation - waste, oil pressure, etc. If such violations are not observed, there are no restrictions on the choice of oil viscosity. In this case, you can only be guided by the climatic conditions of the car and your own wallet. To date, the optimal viscosity in terms of all-season use, energy saving, low-temperature and high-temperature parameters is an oil with a viscosity of SAE 5W-30.
For Japanese and American cars, regardless of the year of manufacture and service life, this viscosity is still optimal. A cheaper alternative for such vehicles can be oil with a viscosity of 10W-30. But for European hardworking cars, it is better to use oils with a viscosity of SAE 5W-40 or 10W-40.
If there are any deviations from the normal operation of the engine, special attention should be paid to the choice of viscosity. First of all, low-viscosity and energy-saving oils should be abandoned. Their low low-temperature, and in some cases high-temperature viscosity can only aggravate the existing problems, since in conditions of engine wear and disruption of its operating modes, the resulting protective oil film becomes thinner, less durable and no longer provides reliable protection of surfaces from wear and damage. In addition, low-viscosity oils have a higher volatility.
This increases the loss of oil to waste and contributes to even greater oil consumption. That is, in such problematic cases, oils with a higher viscosity at operating temperatures are required. And oils with viscosities 5W-50, 10W-50, 10W-60 come to the fore, 15W-50, 20W-50. But at the same time, when determining the viscosity, one should not forget about the operational properties of the oil. Only a competent combination of viscosity and oil specifications will allow you to extend the life of even a worn out engine and delay its overhaul.