Oil at the very least – can you go? Yes! But…

Which oil to buy?

The main criterion is the class of oil quality. Although not all owners have any idea what kind of oil he has filled.

Universal advice: for fresh cars, any SP grade oil will do. It is most perfect for today and is fully compatible with previous products – SN, SM and simpler ones.

Anything can be poured into old cars: no one is absolutely selling old oils now. The brand plays no special role: all modern oils in the certification process are tested for compatibility with other brands of oils.

What is the best viscosity?

Soldiers usually pour 5W-30 oils into engines as this viscosity is universal. Most modern engines are designed for oils with a viscosity of 0W-20. These engines have a compact design and narrow oil passages that do not allow thicker oils to pass through. At the same time, low viscosity oil slightly reduces fuel consumption.

But for engines with relatively large openings, whether they are structurally old or simply heavily worn engines, such oils are actually harmful. Oil pumps will not create the necessary pressure, the necessary oil film between the rubbing parts will not form, and oil deficiency will quickly kill the engine.

As a reference: Low viscosity oils should not be used in engines under the third environmental class.

Do I have to bring oil?

Here are some obvious reasons to put a gallon can of oil in the trunk.

• Modern engines use more oil than older ones. An increased compression ratio, an increase in the effective pressure in the cylinders – all this increases the likelihood of a breakthrough of gases through the piston rings into the crankcase ventilation and from there into the combustion chamber. Turbocharging also has an impact: even with a new turbocharger, a certain amount of oil gets into the compressor section and from there into the cylinders. Therefore, the need to add oil before a scheduled visit to the service is very likely.
• When buying a “litrushka” from a company service, you are guaranteed to get the oil poured into the engine. Although often too expensive.
• If during a long trip you notice that the oil level is below the allowable level, there is no need to buy “something” at a roadside shop. Compatibility with previously filled oil is guaranteed.
• “Litrushka” is easy to hide in any free cavity. For example next to the spare wheel.
• In the “litrushka” oil is stored better than in a five-liter jerry can. The surface of the liquid in contact with air is smaller and therefore the oxidation is not as intense.

When to change oil?

There is no general recommendation here. For those who drive every day and are constantly in traffic jams, runs can be modest and run time in engine hours is reasonable. Therefore, with this operating mode, it is advisable to change the oil every 7-8000 km.

If we are talking about a “weekend car”, with which the owner goes to the dacha along not very busy country roads, then here you can focus on the mileage. And change the oil every 15 thousand km, as prescribed by the manufacturer.

This advice is not for those who drive with a heavy trailer or on mountain roads: in such cases, the replacement interval recommended by the manufacturer should be halved.

If the car goes practically nowhere, you should still change the oil once a year. In the engine it oxidizes and deteriorates as a result. It would last longer in a sealed canister, as the amount of oxygen in it is limited. Obviously if you don’t change the oil for a few years, the engine will still start. But the properties of the oil will already differ from the original, which will lead to a shorter engine life.

Oil “minimal” – is it dangerous?

When the oil level is at the minimum mark, you can drive. However, this is similar to the third phone call before the gig: hurry to upgrade! It is more difficult for the oil to work under such conditions than at the nominal level, because the so-called multiple of its exchange increases (in other words, the same particles of it have to work harder). Accordingly, it ages faster and no longer performs its functions in advance.

Oil has leaked – what to do?

Does the oil filter need to be filled with oil before installation?

It provides no benefit. In addition, the filter is installed on only part of car engines with the connector up, and in the vast majority – horizontally or at an angle. When installing, the oil will still flow out and even the engine will need to be cleaned. And you will not find such a recommendation in any manual for the car.

• “Behind the wheel” is also written in Odnoklassniki.