Debunking Seven Myths About Engine Oil

In this video, we will debunk some myths about engine oil: engine oil is essential to prevent the moving parts of the engine from overheating and to ensure they work together effectively, but over time, the oil deteriorates, which is why it needs to be changed periodically.

There are various types of oil; which one is suitable for us? Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and is used in cars with simple engines and conservative driving styles; it is less refined than other types and offers a relatively low level of protection.

Synthetic oil is chemically engineered and lasts longer and is much more refined, but also significantly more expensive; semi-synthetic oil is a blend of the two; high-mileage oils are enriched with specific additives to reduce burning and improve the performance of older cars.

Oil can vary in viscosity, meaning it can be thicker or thinner; to know what viscosity our engine needs, we must refer to the vehicle's user and maintenance manual and adhere to those specifications, but we must also adapt it to where we live: the code 0W30, for example, indicates the temperature parameter at which the oil flows in winter (0W) and 30 for summer: it is therefore suitable for cold climates; a 10W40 is more suitable for warm climates.

If we live in a cold climate and the oil is too viscous, it will be difficult to start the vehicle in mid-winter. New standards have been approved called LSPI, referring to turbo engines.

GF6A pertains to existing cars and covers API viscosities from 0W20 to 10W40; GF6B concerns new production cars with direct injection. When purchasing oil, ensure it has the approval mark on the container.

The frequency of oil changes depends on many factors: newer cars are equipped with a monitoring system, but it may be necessary to change it sooner depending on where you live. If you smell burning or see exhaust smoke coming from the exhaust, or if you hear strange noises from the engine, do not hesitate to take the vehicle to a workshop; you may have a leak.

Oil that is too thick in a new vehicle can reduce engine efficiency and increase fuel consumption. Regarding additives, these serve different purposes depending on their use, so they must be chosen carefully based on the application and the vehicle they are intended for. It is also important to remember that every time you change the oil, you should also change the filter, which is designed to last for the oil's lifecycle.