Synthetic oil for diesel or gasoline engines stands out as the best choice. Semi-synthetics are cheaper and also comply in many cases. And are minerals still worth it in today's engines?
Mineral, semi-synthetic or synthetic motor oil has particularities that you should know before putting a lubricant inside the engine. We have prepared a complete manual on engine oil.
What is the best oil for your car - Synthetic or semi-synthetic?
The best oil will always be synthetic. More resistant to high temperatures and longer engine life. It is also more expensive, but the level of protection of the engine is much higher.
Semi-synthetic oil lasts less, protects less and costs less. The workshops prefer and recommend semi-synthetic oil because the customer returns on average every 10,000 km (with synthetic oil they return on average every 20,000 km) and “shine” in the price of the revisions because they cut the cost of oil in half and the customer always likes to pay less.
Workshops also prefer the semi-synthetic because the wear of the engine components is greater and repairs occur earlier on vehicles that use semi-synthetic oil compared to those that use synthetic oil.
See below how oils are manufactured for the automotive industry ...
Essential element in the engine
The oil has a unique and irreplaceable function for the engine: the cooling of the components. Any negligence with this element essential to the operation of the engine can result in major repairs.
By preventing the parts from creating friction with each other through friction between the components, the oil ensures that the temperature inside the engine - although high - does not exceed the limits that cause the engine to “stick” or “seize” as we commonly hear tell. Maintaining a constant oil circulation pressure in the engine, the lubrication system guarantees the normal operation of the engine. This is if you do not decide to use oils not recommended by the manufacturer for your car's engine type.
Seized engine
When the engine lacks oil, the following problems are many and all represent major damage. The care with this very important fluid and its circulation by the engine deserves the attention of everyone who drives a car. Try to control the engine oil overhaul and replacement times. Avoid prolonging too long beyond the deadlines because the oil has lost its main lubrication characteristics and the engine is suffering premature and unnecessary wear. It does not mean that it will seize, but the parts gain clearance, stop working efficiently and fuel consumption starts to increase.
What are base oils?
It all starts with base oils. Base oils are the main components of lubricants. They are obtained by refining crudes. In a very simplified way, the process starts with the distillation of the crude oil in an atmospheric column that proceeds to separate the lighter components present in the crude oil, that is LPG, gasoline, gas oils, and others. A residue is extracted from this column, which is subsequently distilled in a vacuum column and where, based on the distillation temperatures of the various distillates, the distillates of the different grades of mineral base oils are obtained. To know more, check out: castrol edge vs mobil 1
These distillates are subsequently subjected to characteristic enhancement treatments to make them suitable for use in the production of lubricants.
What does the viscosity index mean?
Viscosity is a term that comes up all the time in a conversation about engine oils. What does oil viscosity represent and how important is it?
The viscosity index (IV) is a physical-chemical parameter that quantifies the variation in viscosity with temperature. The higher the IV value, the less the oil viscosity varies with temperature, that is, the more stable its viscosity will be. This stability is important both for cold starting the engines and for operating at high temperatures.