As is known, engine oil is a working fluid in. The main function of the material is to protect loaded mating elements from dry friction by creating an oil film. Also, the lubricant allows you to produce effective cleaning oil system, acts as a neutralizer of oxidative processes, removes excess heat from parts and assemblies to prevent local overheating, etc.
Taking into account significant temperature fluctuations and high heating, as well as due to active chemical processes to which it is exposed lubricant inside, engine oil is prone to accelerated aging and rapid loss of its beneficial properties. It becomes clear that grease is a consumable, and the required frequency of oil changes is strictly defined for any engine. In parallel, a number of specific factors can additionally influence the life of the material.
Next, we'll talk about why you need to change the oil in your engine and how often you need to change the oil. It will also consider such issues as the minimum oil change interval, how long it takes to change the oil in the engine in terms of time and mileage, whether the oil in the engine is often changed and what conditions the change intervals depend on.
Read in this article
Why you need to change the engine oil
As already mentioned, the lubricant, even in an absolutely serviceable engine, is subject to a natural aging process. This means that its properties, one way or another, deteriorate as a result of oxidation, as well as in connection with the gradual cessation of operation (operation) of active additives and detergents in the composition of the lubricant.
Ultimately, the oil accumulates a large amount of soot, wear products and other contaminants, the viscosity-temperature characteristics are violated (the lubricant thickens, blackens), the shear stability under load changes, the strength of the oil film, etc. Prolonged driving on dirty lubricant leads to clogging of filters and channels of the oil system with deposits, the resource of the internal combustion engine is also greatly reduced.
The fact is that the engine in this case is much less protected from mechanical wear at the interface of the loaded elements. Also, as a result of a significant change in the viscosity index towards an increase, there is a general deterioration in the pumpability of the oil through the system. Combined with a decrease in throughput and / or clogging of oil channels ( power unit begins to experience) significant engine wear occurs.
In parallel, it should be noted that various ICE malfunctions also affect the properties of the oil. For example, dust and dirt entering through the intake, oil dilution due to leaks in the fuel crankcase, penetration. In these cases, wear is also significantly increased, and engine seizure can occur.
Determine when to change the oil in the engine
So, it is quite obvious that the lubricant in the motor needs to be replaced. At the same time, it is important to clearly understand when to change the oil. Taking into account the fact that the material in the internal combustion engine is aging, it turns out that the more often it is replaced, the better. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that too early replacements in many cases are not needed.
This approach is irrational, as it will lead to serious financial costs, and the benefits for the motor may not be so obvious. For this reason, service intervals should be calculated taking into account a number of additional factors and features. Otherwise, you need to know on what basis and how to choose the correct replacement intervals.
At the very beginning, we note that there simply does not exist an unambiguous and accurate answer, after how many kilometers, engine hours or months to change the oil. There is only the engine manufacturer's recommended oil change interval, which is indicated in the owner's manual. At the same time, in many cases, the frequency of replacement remains quite individual.
- Most importantly, do not exceed the grease life. To do this, do not rely solely on the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturers. For example, if the manual says that replacement should be done every 15 thousand km, then this does not mean that you always need to adhere to only such an interval.
- You also do not need to rely on the statements of oil manufacturers in the fuel and lubricants markets. Even if a high-quality oil from the Longlife line is used (for example, with an increased service life of up to 30 or 50 thousand km.), There is no guarantee that the lubricant normally runs out the entire declared resource or even half of that mileage.
The fact is that the manufacturers of both internal combustion engines and oils indicate strongly averaged indicators. In other words, many external factors that reduce oil life are simply not considered. Let's figure it out.
Let's start with the service interval in the manual. As a rule, you can find an indication that the oil needs to be changed, for example, every 15-20 thousand km. or at least once every 12 months (whichever comes first). However, it should be understood that such recommendations of auto manufacturers are average for a particular type of engine.
This does not take into account the general air pollution, fuel quality, individual properties of a particular engine oil, individual characteristics of vehicle operation, etc. Only in some cases can a manufacturer take into account regional peculiarities separately, but this practice is more typical of cars that are specially developed for specific markets. This does not apply to mass models.
It should also be added that the car manufacturer itself is not particularly interested in the engine working for the maximum possible period. The main task becomes serviceable ICE operation during the warranty period, then the unit must go through a certain average number of operating hours to maintain the prestige and confirm the competitiveness of the brand.
It turns out that it is more profitable for the manufacturer to extend the service interval for a new car under warranty, which makes the product more attractive and convenient for the client, but at the expense of the internal combustion engine resource. At the same time, there is no particular interest in further extending this resource. Moreover, breakdowns after the end of the warranty period are a proven way to get customers to change their car for a new one, rather than doing repairs.
It becomes clear that for auto manufacturers, the service interval today is a marketing ploy, since it implies the opportunity to offer customers reduced costs for warranty service... If we talk about the motor and its resource in the long term, then the interval stated in the vehicle maintenance and operation manual can be greatly increased.
Now let's move on to the oils. Many modern products are positioned as car oils with an extended service life (service interval). As a rule, such a grease has an additional Longlife mark. At the same time, it is a mistake to believe that this oil can be safely poured into any engine and changed at an increased interval.
- First of all, the ICE manufacturer must separately indicate that in the case of using the Longlife oil group, an increase in the service interval is allowed for a specific type of engine.
- Longlife oil must also be approved by the engine manufacturer for use in its engine, that is, a product of a particular brand must undergo a separate certification.
- The engine manufacturer only permits the use of oils according to the Longlife scheme if the vehicle is used exclusively in the prescribed operating conditions and is under conditions suitable for the use of lubricants according to the extended drain schedule.
If everything is more or less clear with the first and second points, then questions about the third position immediately arise. Usually, there is no detailed description of the "optimal" modes, while the declared extended oil change intervals are calculated based on these particular modes.
We add that, based on practical use, an increase in the interval for Longlife oil is possible if the car constantly drives on the highway with medium engine loads. At the same time, high-quality fuel is poured, high-quality filters are installed, there is no dust on the roads, etc.
It is noteworthy that such conditions are quite real for developed countries, which cannot be said about cars that are operated in large cities or drive along highways in the territory of the CIS countries. For such machines, the so-called severe operating conditions are more relevant, while any lubricant ages very quickly. In view of the above, replacing old used oil (both regular and Longlife) is desirable only with a decrease, not with an increase in the interval.
What affects engine oil life
- seasonality;
- operating modes;
- fuel quality;
- oil base;
- the efficiency of the filters;
- the general condition of the internal combustion engine;
Some of these factors can be influenced by the driver himself (choose quality oils and filters, monitor the operation of the motor and troubleshoot in a timely manner), while other features cannot be changed, that is, it remains to be additionally taken into account. Subsequent analysis allows you to more accurately determine in what conditions the vehicle is operated.
The fact is that the frequency of engine oil changes is highly dependent on the operating conditions. If the machine is subjected to so-called harsh conditions, the oil change interval is necessarily reduced.
- Severe conditions should be understood to mean certain conditions. These include long-term downtime of the car, after which trips are made, but then the car stops again. This mode especially greatly reduces the lubricant resource in winter. The fact is that condensate accumulates inside the engine, chemical processes are activated, and oil is oxidized.
On motors that are operated daily and warm up to operating temperatures, the formation of condensation is less intense. At the same time, even constant, but short trips, during which the internal combustion engine does not reach operating temperatures, still do not allow the formation of condensation to be prevented.
- Driving in the city at low speeds, traffic jams, frequent accelerations and stops. Such a mode is difficult for the engine, since heavy loads on the internal combustion engine arise precisely during the start of movement from a standstill. Moreover, on low revs oil pressure is not high, its heating increases, engine coking occurs, etc.
As for traffic jams and downtime at traffic lights, the engine in this case runs at idle. Mode idle move It is also considered difficult for the engine, since the power unit cools worse, runs on a lean mixture, and the oil pressure is not high.
- Poor quality fuels also greatly affect the properties of the oil. The fact is that combustion products accumulate in the lubricant, impairing the useful properties of the material. It is important to understand that the recommendations for replacement intervals in the service book are often indicated for fuel that meets European standards. There is simply no such fuel on the territory of the CIS.
- Frequent loads on car engine, driving at maximum speed at high revs, towing a trailer, constantly transporting a large number of passengers and cargo.
In these cases, the engine must be “cranked” in order to get more power from it. It is quite obvious that the oil in this case oxidizes faster and loses its properties. By the way, riding in mountainous or hilly terrain with alternating long ups and downs is also a difficult condition. On uphills, the driver loads the engine, and on descents, engine braking is often used.
- Riding on dirt roads, vehicle operation in conditions of increased air pollution. In this case, the oil actively accumulates pollution from the environment, the lubricant resource is noticeably reduced.
As you can see, domestic operating conditions are far from the "calculated" ideal and can be fully considered difficult. For this reason, the relubrication intervals must be adjusted separately, taking into account the above factors.
Oil operation in practice
To determine which replacement interval is best to adhere to, one should proceed from:
- features of operation;
- operating modes;
- quality (base) oil;
If the car is operated in the CIS, and mineral or is used, then it is recommended to reduce the replacement interval by 50-70% of the one stated in the manual. In other words, if the instructions provide for a planned replacement after 10 or 15 thousand km. by mileage, and also at least once a year in time, then the lubricant must be changed every 5 thousand km. or every 6 months (whichever comes first).
Checking the oil level in the engine, determining the exact indicator. When is it best to check the lubricant level on a cold or hot engine. Helpful hints.
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... There are many components in the answer to the question of how often to change the oil in the engine. 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), mileage before oil change, and total mileage, technical condition vehicle and used oil.
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
- Fuel type (gas, petrol, diesel) and its quality
- Engine volume
- Brand of previously filled oil (synthetic, Semy-Synt, mineral oil)
- Classification and type of oils used (API and longlife system)
- Engine oil condition
- Replacement method
- Total engine mileage
- Technical condition of the car
- Operating conditions and modes
- 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 engine load 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 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 load 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 should include a high temperature control temperature (operating temperature), poor ventilation of the engine crankcase (especially when driving in urban conditions), the use of low-quality or unsuitable for this engine oil, the presence of dirt in the oil channels, clogged oil filter, working temperature Range oils.
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 on maximum speed and maximum speed.
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. In this case, 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 the 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 are subjected connecting rod bearings... 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 passages 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 famous automobile magazine "Za Rulem" carried out six-month studies of several types synthetic oils under operating conditions 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.
Further, 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 optimal 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 over the last at least one thousand kilometers (than more 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 working fluid they are 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 concerns 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 C - 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:
- 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 safe operation engine.
- 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.
- Similar reasoning is valid 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 is worth adding 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's engine, which will save you from having to carry out expensive repairs. Also, when replacing, buy quality oils recommended by the manufacturer.
If you think that the engine oil needs to be changed every 10-15 thousand km, as required by the service regulations, then you are wrong. Why? We will tell you about this in detail below.
1 Why the service regulations are inaccurate and how the city affects them
Car manufacturers indicate the frequency of oil change in kilometers. However, the engine of the car works not only while driving, but also at idle speed. Therefore, when driving in city mode, it can work four times longer than when driving on a highway with the same kilometer. Mileage, measured by the engine running time, is called engine hours.
For example, 15 thousand km of run on the highway on average is about 200 hours, and in the city it can exceed 700 hours. As a result, the load on the engine oil increases enormously, because even at idle speed, the lubricant is exposed to high temperatures. Moreover, there is no crankcase ventilation in urban traffic jams, which reduces the oil resource, i.e. the load on the lubricant increases even more.
But it is not only the number of operating hours that affects the durability of a lubricant. Driving style also plays an important role. For example, when driving on a highway at a speed of 100-130 km / h, the lubricant is exposed to minimal loads, since the engine is well ventilated and does not operate at its peak. With an increase in speed, the load on the motor increases, and therefore on the lubrication system, since the pistons are heated to higher temperatures, the volume of crankcase gases, which have a destructive effect, increases. The effect of increased speed is especially noticeable on small cars that have low-power engines and "short" transmissions.
Therefore, as you can see, a mileage of 10-15 thousand km is far from an accurate indicator of the need for an oil change. For example, in modern BMW cars, which have an hour meter, replacement times are 200-400 hours with moderate machine operation, and also under the condition of using high-quality fuel. When the engine is running at maximum or close to maximum power, the oil change period is significantly shortened.
Another important point on which the life of the grease depends is the type of oil used. Therefore, we will talk separately about the varieties of existing oils and the periods of their operation. It follows that it is possible to determine the replacement time based on the mileage indicated by the manufacturer only if the car is operated in a country driving mode at a constant speed. But this is extremely rare. Therefore, the engine oil must be changed more frequently.
2 What you need to know about the types of oils and their service life
As you know, there are several types of motor oils:
- semi-synthetic;
- synthetic hydrocracking;
- synthetic polyalphaolefin;
- ester;
- polyglycolic.
Purely mineral oils are practically not found anymore. They were replaced by semi-synthetic compounds. However, they are no longer in great demand, since they have several serious disadvantages:
- have a low content of additives;
- heavily clog the engine;
- their viscosity is not stable, i.e. it varies greatly with temperature, and also changes over time of use of the grease.
As you might guess, the "vitality" of these products is low compared to more modern formulations. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce the replacement time to 8-10 thousand kilometers, especially in urban mode of car operation, provided that a quality product from a well-known manufacturer is used.
Synthetic hydrocracking oils have been the most popular in recent years, since they replaced semi-synthetics. In particular, standard oils manufactured car manufacturers, belong to this category. Often these compounds are referred to as semisynthetics, in which there is some truth. But due to the presence of a high-quality base in the composition, they have a more stable viscosity and durability.
Under normal conditions, high-quality hydrocracking oil can last up to 30 thousand kilometers. But in our conditions, of course, it is not worth using the grease for so long. In addition, the processing of such oils leads to a decrease in the mobility of the piston rings, as well as coking of the engine and an increase in friction. Almost all synthetic hydrocracking oils are low ash and highly sensitive to fuel quality.
As for the standard runs of 10-15 thousand kilometers, these compositions show themselves much better than mineral and semi-synthetic analogs. In addition, several other advantages can be identified:
- better retain additives, respectively, retain all their properties longer;
- have good detergent properties;
- have fewer degradation products that have a negative effect on the engine.
Of the minuses, one can single out the fact that these compositions do not have the best effect on the durability of the motor itself, which is associated with a reduced additive package.
Synthetic polyalphaolefin oils, unlike hydrocracking oils, do not form coking of piston rings, practically do not burn out and have the purest decay products. Another positive quality of them is their good fluidity, which remains even in severe frosts. As for the replacement time, this product ages more slowly than its hydrocracked counterparts.
It should be understood, however, that the longevity of a lubricant is not only dependent on its base. The composition of the product always contains a complex package of additives that have their own service life. Plus, mechanical pollution that accumulates over time does not disappear anywhere. Therefore, you should not drive even with such oils for more than 400-500 hours, since further operation will reduce the engine resource at an accelerated pace. Given the high cost of these oils, it does not always make sense to use them instead of hydrocracking oils.
Ester oils can be called a new evolutionary step. They are characterized by low boiling point and low coefficient of friction. Theoretically, the operating time of these oils before replacement should be longer. But in practice, ester formulations often have a small additive package, as a result of which they require replacement even earlier than the standard period. Therefore, they are called sports, i.e. intended for short-term use. It makes sense to use ester products for washing the engine after using mineral and semi-synthetic oils more than the due date. This composition does an excellent job of cleaning the surface of the motor from all kinds of contaminants.
Polyglycol formulations are the most advanced. They have an even lower coefficient of friction, moreover, they are able to dissolve even the products of their own decay. They are better than other analogues capable of retaining additives. Unfortunately, at the moment, only polyglycolic oil can be found in the public domain Kroon Oil... There is practically no data on its independent tests. But it is quite possible that this grease is actually capable of working longer than others.
From the above, we can conclude that car manufacturers indicate the interval between grease changes, taking into account the use of standard oil, i.e. synthetic or semi-synthetic. However, different types of grease differ in composition and in different amounts of additives. Accordingly, they have different operating periods. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the service life from the tabular characteristics. Therefore, when buying a particular brand of product, check out the results of several independent tests.
In any case, if the car is operated in urban conditions, you should not change the oil less often than every 8-9 thousand kilometers. As practice shows, in this case the engine remains clean, the wear of parts is significantly reduced, and, consequently, the durability of the motor also increases.
3 How often to change the lubricant to clean the engine
If you purchased a used car with an opaque service history or noticed through the oil filler hole that there is a lot of plaque on the surface of the engine, the engine should be flushed. Of course, there are special additives and flushing oils for this. But the best quality and harmless result for the engine can only be obtained by flushing the engine with engine oil.
The flushing scheme is quite simple:
- the old grease is drained, after which the filter is changed and new oil is poured;
- on new oil, the car should drive about 2 thousand km;
- then the oil is changed again, after which the car must travel 4 thousand km;
- the next replacement is carried out after another 4 thousand.
Keep in mind that the vehicle must be operated carefully throughout the entire engine wash cycle, i.e. in run-in mode. Otherwise, it will be impossible to achieve a quality result.
If the engine was flushed with a special additive or flushing oil, it is also advisable to drain the engine oil as soon as possible. Moreover, you should first get rid of the remnants of the flushing mixtures. To do this, a small amount of engine oil must be poured into the engine so that the pressure indicator only goes out. After that, the engine must be started and run for 5-10 minutes. Then the grease is drained and clean oil is poured into the motor.
4 Why timely replacement is so important - subtleties and details
Finally, let's consider why timely replacement is so important for the engine. The fact is that the lubricant not only reduces friction between parts, but also performs several other important functions:
- prevents surface corrosion;
- removes soot, fuel combustion products and other contaminants from engine surfaces;
- participates in maintaining the optimal temperature of the engine, and also ensures its heat exchange.
If the grease is not replaced in time, all kinds of additives begin to decompose, as a result of which it loses the ability to perform the above functions. In addition, combustion products accumulate in it, which are deposited on the surfaces of the engine. Over time, the oil channels begin to clog, as a result of which the lubricant does not enter the mechanisms in full. This, in turn, leads to rapid wear of the parts.
Thus, it is impossible to neglect the timely oil change, otherwise even the most reliable engine can "knock" without working out the time allotted to it. As we found out, it is advisable to do the replacement more often than the car manufacturers require.
It is not news to anyone that the moment comes when it is necessary to change the oil in the engine. Of course, there are many recommendations regarding this, but the time is determined directly by the owner of the car. Most often, a special service book is included with the car, which indicates the interval for changing the oil in the engine.
Not all vehicle owners follow these guidelines. And frankly, there is nothing fatal in this, since the rate of frequency of oil changes in the engine is determined in the course of laboratory tests, which in practice differ significantly from the operating conditions of a car on the road. The following main indicators are distinguished, which have a significant difference from laboratory studies:
- fuel quality level;
- degree of air pollution;
- various climatic indicators.
It is on these indicators that the oil needs to be changed so quickly depends.
What is the interval between replacement
A mileage of 15 thousand kilometers is considered the level from which it is necessary to build on when determining the oil change interval in the engine. Deviations from this indicator can be completely different, since it all depends on the car itself. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the above indicators. For example, fuel. It can never be said for sure that the gasoline we use is a high quality fuel, even if the manufacturer is very famous.
Changing the engine oil does not need to be taken carelessly because untimely replacement will not only impair the performance of the vehicle, but can also lead to serious engine damage. This happens for the simple reason that the "old" oil loses its ability to reduce the friction of parts, and ceases to absorb all harmful impurities and combustion products.
Advice! The simplest and easiest way to determine suitability is to analyze the clarity of the oil. The check is carried out visually.
It is necessary to warm up the car beforehand. This will allow the oil to warm up as suitability is determined when warm. When the heating process has come to an end, you should open the hood and pull out a special dipstick. If it is found that the oil in the engine has darkened and has a dark brown color, then this may indicate that replacing it should not be delayed for a long time, but it is best to do it immediately.
Experienced car owners may have encountered a situation where the oil they just bought would turn dark. This happens when it contains a large package of detergents, which in turn, when in contact with the surfaces of parts, lead to darkening. It is in view of this feature that a visual check of the oil for transparency is not entirely relevant.
Attention! This method is only suitable for certain types of oil.
There is a special mark in the service book with the recommended indicator for changing the oil in the engine. Most often, it represents the mileage and engine hours. It should be recalled that this indicator should not be taken literally, because it has already been said that these data were obtained through research that differs from practice. It all depends on the type of car.
Some cars are made for a specific country or territory. Therefore, all calculations regarding various indicators, including engine oil changes, are carried out taking into account the characteristics of this region. When such a car gets into a completely different climate and is affected by completely different conditions, then here the replacement interval indicated in the book will not be entirely correct, and sometimes it will be completely different.
How the manufacturer calculates the replacement interval
In the modern world, there are no units that could work forever and under any operating conditions. This is difficult to achieve, and even if it does happen, all car manufacturers will lose billions in revenue. It is clear that this is not beneficial to many.
If we take this point into account, then it is clear that the manufacturer does not quite clearly define the period for changing the oil in the engine, since it does not care how long your car will last. He only cares that the machine works in good faith during the prescribed period of the warranty. And what happens to the vehicle after the warranty expires is not at all important. Moreover, it is even very profitable for him to have problems that prompt the owner to apply for service services to a specialized service center or, in general, with regular breakdowns of the car, I decided to purchase new car.
From the above, it can be boldly concluded that the oil change indicator is purely a marketing term and is not intended to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Sometimes it can be much more than it really needs, because if you specify a short period between replacement procedures, then there is a risk of frightening off a potential buyer with too frequent costs.
Attention! Sometimes the fact that the engine oil change interval is very long attracts a significant number of new customers.
How to determine the optimal interval
When the car is used in full accordance with the recommendations, the replacement rate is calculated by mileage, that is, by mileage. Basically, it ranges from 5 to 20 thousand kilometers. This figure is adjusted depending on the age of the vehicle.
The main indicators for determining the interval between replacements are considered to be the operating mode and operating time of the engine. For example, a vehicle that is used for driving in big cities spends a lot of time in traffic jams, so the mileage does not accumulate, but the engine does not stop working at that moment, which means that the oil continues to perform its main function. Thus, the need for a replacement will arise much earlier than the desired mileage is reached.
Why is it necessary to change the oil
Experts identify the following situations in which it is necessary to change the oil faster:
- driving a car in constant traffic jams. At this point, the cooling system is not functioning because the machine is idling. This indicates combustion of the oil as overheating occurs;
- the car is used to transport large loads and off-road driving;
- driving with sharp drops speed mode;
- irregular operation of transport;
- irregular replacement oil filter leads to oil clogging;
- insufficient engine heating, which occurs when driving for short distances;
- use of low quality fuel;
- great age vehicle;
- vacuum oil change. This type of replacement does not guarantee the complete removal of residues that, while remaining in the engine, are capable of reacting with clean oil, which can cause a negative change in its properties.
So what is the threat of an untimely oil change in the engine? There are two situations here:
It became clear to many that the longer the service life of the car, the shorter the period between oil change procedures should be. This is due to the fact that the combustion process takes place in the engine, and as a result, it is not possible to carry out renovation work... The right solution in such a situation would be to frequently change and check the condition of the oil in the engine. It is recommended to check the oil level after driving every 100 kilometers. And in this situation, it makes no difference what kind of car it is, a passenger car or a truck.
How often you need to change the oil in the engine, we find out in the following video:
There are more and more motorists on the roads - this is a consequence of both the growth of the population in general and the improvement in the standard of living. Having a car is simply becoming a mandatory part of the social image of a prestigious person, and not just functionally using it as a means of transportation. But not everyone knows how to take care of their four-wheeled friends, and as a result, they begin to ask questions.
This approach is reasonable, because a car service is not always at hand, but your own hands can solve many problems. One of the questions is: how often do you change the engine oil? Actually, this will be discussed below.
Main FAQ
The question of frequency, in fact, often fades into the background. Especially when it comes to choice. So now there will be several small subtopics of interest to motorists. Naturally, one way or another, this will relate to the question of how often the oil in the engine is changed. You will also receive a direct answer. But this is generally a rather complicated topic, since a solution needs to know many variables. That is why everything is so individual.
Where to buy motor oil?
If you look into the corresponding stores, you can see that the shelves are literally crammed with a variety of oils and other similar compounds. The choice is practically unlimited, since, in addition to brand lines, it is quite possible to find a composition "from the manufacturer".
Before choosing one or another option, you need to learn one particularly important thing - any oil, whatever it may be, always consists of a certain base, as well as additives.
How are oils subdivided?
The division takes place according to the thesis already voiced - that is, taking into account the basis of the product. There are three main types - mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic bases.
Using them as a foundation, they create all those products that are exhibited in car supermarkets. Oddly enough, you will have to choose from the last two types. as such, they practically do not occur.
You can buy either semisynthetics or synthetics, where the composition is based on a variety of artificial compounds. The former is usually cheaper and weaker in quality, but is quite suitable for most cars. The second, in turn, is often more expensive - but the feasibility of its use is questionable.
How often do you change the engine oil?
Any driver will answer this question exhaustively - the more often, the better. True, here you are faced with certain difficulties, since this process is quite long, and the product used itself costs a certain amount. So usually in technical characteristics the machine has a recommendation from the manufacturer.
Actually, there is simply no unambiguous answer to this question - it can be any figure from 5 to 50 thousand kilometers inclusive. True, a whole chain of factors plays a role here, which will be discussed below.
What aspects need to be considered?
As you already understood, any manufacturer technologically calculates the recommended service interval. This is what you should focus on in the first place.
Also, do not forget about those points that can reduce the intervals between regular maintenance. These are usually external factors. They mainly affect the life of the motor itself - so pay special attention to this.
Based on all of the above, you need to calculate an individual replacement schedule. But this will still be something rather arbitrary, since in addition to time and mileage, there are other factors, and you simply cannot take into account everything until this happens.
This point is the most important in the question raised. Indeed, is it possible to find out how often the engine oil is changed (2nd generation Ford Focus, for example)? Yes, there is such a possibility. To do this, you just need to look at such a column as the service interval in the technical documents for the car. There is nothing complicated about it.
But you should know that these are just general guidelines. So the average conditions used in the assessment may be completely incompatible with those in which you live. This is quite normal, and you just need to consider everything that happens with the car and inside it.
How does the manufacturer calculate the service interval?
Cars don't live forever - it's simply not profitable for manufacturers. Accordingly, a logical conclusion can be drawn from this - any recommended timing is by no means a concern for the engine of your car. At least when it comes to long-term prospects.
There is nothing particularly surprising in this, since the manufacturing company is only interested in one moment - that the machine has worked for the entire warranty period and cannot be sued. There is even some benefit here, especially if the mechanism breaks down shortly after the warranty expires.
In addition, there is also a marketing point - the longer the interval specified in the documents, the more attractive the car will become for the buyer.
Indeed, how often the engine oil is changed is just another argument with which you can convince to make an absolutely unjustified purchase.
There are no definite tips on this matter. Trusting the manufacturer is entirely up to you. But in the vastness of the CIS, the justification and expediency of such an approach may be somewhat different. This should also be remembered.
Factors affecting the replacement interval
It's worth starting with the main reasons. First of all, this is the season, as well as the mode of operation of the machine. That is, in general, it all depends on when and how you use the car. Here we are talking not just about a reasonable grain, but, rather, about a reasoned conclusion.
In addition, the quality of the gasoline used should be taken into account - this can be a key point. Also pay attention to other expendable materials... Actually, the same oil can greatly affect how often it needs to be changed.
There are also internal problems of the car, which can greatly affect the resulting figure.
Basically, these are various leaks or waste. In the first case, you should quickly contact a professional service, since some part of the oil line is damaged, and this can lead to the worst consequences. In the second, you can figure it out on your own, but a lot also depends on the reasons that entailed such consequences.
Also, manufacturers often use such a magic phrase as "difficult operating conditions", but this needs to be discussed separately. In general, this greatly affects the service interval. True, describing such processes is a rather laborious thing.
What is harsh operating conditions?
It can be assumed that you presented after hearing this phrase. So, just forget - here you will be wrong. So, the main points of unbearable conditions for a car:
- Irregular use - The cars that are driven every day behave best. Otherwise, this leads to the need frequent replacement oil, as well as to other problems in the engine mechanism.
- Regular short-distance travel is the essence of cold-drive travel. Actually, in most cases, especially in cities, the engine simply never warms up to a normal state, at least, passing along the daily route.
- Driving according to the "start-stop" principle - this usually happens at any traffic light or intersection. At the moments of start, the oil heats up especially strongly, and therefore is consumed.
- If the machine is loaded or the trailer is used, it is simply an excessive load on the engine that affects the oil itself.
- Air pollution - any dust and dirt that enters the engine through air filter, can have a certain impact on the quality of his work.
- Poor quality of gasoline - nothing further needs to be explained at this point.
- Idling.
Additional factors
There are also certain difficulties that must be remembered. The main one, on which the emphasis is placed, is vacuum. Here you need to know that, despite all its advantages, such as an order of magnitude accelerated process, and clean hands in the end, this method has its own disadvantages.
Firstly, in this way it is impossible to drain all the oil to a drop - and in the traditional version, this is exactly what happens. In addition, sediment remains at the bottom of the tray, which cannot be removed using vacuum suction.
In general, if you use this method, then remember a few tips - intersperse it with the usual. Also, do not forget that you will need to carry out maintenance after such a replacement a little earlier - just for the safety of the engine.
Domestic cars
And yet, how often to change the oil in the engine of the 2107th VAZ? Specific questions require specific answers. Only this worries the majority of motorists. So, you will have to focus on numbers from 10 to 15 thousand kilometers. In the same way, you can answer the question of how often to change the oil in a VAZ-2109 engine.
For some others domestic cars the numbers may vary slightly. But in general, for example, the same "Lada" does not differ much from the VAZs. For example, on a domestic car, how often should the engine oil be changed (Kalina is no exception)? The answer will be the same. Ten, maybe fifteen thousand kilometers. As you can see, there is nothing difficult in orienteering. Also, due to the popularity of the model, you can often hear the question: how often do you change the oil in the engine on the Prior? The Priora model 2170 is being repaired according to the same principle. The numbers don't change much.
In addition, there are more modern models of Russian cars. We need to talk about them in a little more detail.
For example, how often do you change the oil in a VAZ-2114 engine? According to the factory specification, we are talking about fifteen thousand kilometers. But the reviews of motorists, rather, hint at a slightly smaller figure - ten. Moreover, with regular maintenance in order to avoid accompanying problems.
If you are interested in how often to change the oil in a VAZ-2110 engine, the answer will not change. It's all the same ten thousand kilometers. In some cases, fifteen.
Popular foreign cars
Of the European small cars intended for the city, several brands are especially popular among Russians. Therefore, the questions are appropriate: how often to change the oil in a 2nd generation Ford Focus engine, for example? The answer lies in the technical documentation - 20 thousand km. But, taking into account the peculiarities of environmental conditions, motorists recommend slightly lower numbers. Usually, opinions converge on 15 thousand, but the car may well go all 18.
Also, many are interested in how often to change the oil in a Renault-Logan engine. The interest is quite justified, given the prevalence of the model. Again, the manufacturer indicates 20 thousand km. But Russian roads and harsh operating conditions cut the figure in half.
