1. Why do modern engines burn more oil?
Rising oil consumption happens when the compression ratio climbs and the pressure inside the cylinders grows. That higher pressure eases the flow of gases past the piston rings into the crankcase and from there into the ventilation system that leads back to the combustion chamber.
The turbocharger also plays a role: even when the turbo is fresh, a portion of oil finds its way into the compressor and, along with it, into the cylinders.
Another factor in the modern era is prolonged high-speed driving, which can push an engine to burn more oil than usual.
2. Is 0W-20 oil risky for the engine?
Many modern engines feature compact designs with narrow oil passages designed for low-viscosity 0W-20 oils. These oils help shave fuel use. However, for engines with larger clearances or older, more worn designs, such oils can be harmful.
Oil pumps may fail to create the necessary pressure, the oil wedge between rubbing surfaces might be insufficient, and oil starvation can rapidly damage the engine.
In practical terms, low-viscosity oils should generally not be used in engines below a certain environmental class or in significantly worn engines.
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Small outboard motors often operate on a gasoline-oil mixture. ENGINES WITHOUT OILThere exists a class of engines that lacks a dedicated lubrication system. These are primarily two-stroke engines that rely on a fuel-oil mix. As engine and oil technology advanced, mixtures shifted from roughly 1:20 to 1:50 or thinner. In such designs, plain bearings are largely replaced by rolling bearings, and lubrication of the piston group by the fuel-oil mix is considered sufficient given the engine power levels involved. |
3. Should oil be changed when consumption is high?
Manufacturers often describe higher oil use as acceptable in factory guidelines to avoid liability. Typical values might be about 1 liter per 1 500 km, and under tough conditions, even one liter per 1 000 km. Those figures are quite large. A well-maintained engine not used in aggressive driving should burn oil at a rate that allows topping up only occasionally, roughly one liter per 10 000 to 15 000 kilometers.
Even with high oil consumption, the oil must be replaced. When changing the oil, the filter is replaced as well, allowing the engine to run on fresh, clean oil with good detergency. This can help lower consumption over time. It is common for oil use to drop after a fresh oil change, then rise again as wear conditions shift or the wrong oil is used or the driving style changes.
4. Do magnets help clean engine oil?
Oil filtration using ferrous particle capture is common in many vehicle systems, including some gearboxes and continuously variable transmissions. In engines, the practice is less common because oil is changed more frequently, and a full-flow filter is already in place to trap debris.
Some enthusiasts advocate placing magnets in oil paths. A magnet can attract wear particles and expose how much metal is present on the magnet after an oil drain. A magnet placed in the drain plug area can collect ferrous particles over time, indicating the wear environment inside the crankcase. This approach is sometimes used during engine work to monitor wear levels.
Another option is to position magnets inside the filter housing or near the oil passage to help capture particles when the bypass valve opens during very cold starts. While not a cure-all, some drivers find modest value in this technique as a preventive measure.
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