When to change the oil in the engine. When is the best time to change engine oil in an engine: by mileage, by condition or by time

One of the main trends in the modern automotive industry is an increase in service intervals: if until recently it was necessary to change the oil in the engine every 10 thousand kilometers, now even in budget segment 5,000 more have been added to this figure, and oil manufacturers already indicate 30,000 runs in the description of their longlife series. Unsurprisingly, this is controversial: how justified is the increase in oil life, and is it, on the contrary, part of the “planned wear” of the car?

A bit of theory

Let's start by defining oil aging itself. In the ideal case, which is still unattainable for the chemical industry, all the properties of engine oil would be incorporated into the base oil, the characteristics of which now have to be adjusted with an additive package. Significant progress in the oil industry is associated with the creation of synthetic base oils - if earlier the service life determined the life of the “base”, now it is the destruction of the additive package that determines.

With the oil itself in the engine, many chemical processes take place. For “mineral waters”, the main enemy was high-temperature oxidation, which led not only to an increase in acidity (recall, this is why all motor oils have a pronounced alkalinity in order to neutralize the inevitably formed acids), but also to its decay with the formation of a characteristic lacquer coating. At the same time, the oil characteristically darkened and sharply reduced viscosity.

So when should you change your oil?

Untimely oil change can lead to such consequences.

We get a double paradox: it is impossible to determine the exact moment of changing synthetic oil without analysis, and the generally accepted replacement factor is as crude as assessing the quality of the oil by eye. Ideally, of course, it would be to paint the regulations for engine hours with correction factors depending on the engine operating modes: this approach has shown itself well in aviation, but the average motorist, of course, would not want to consider this.

How rough is the mileage estimate? So let's say, it is accurate enough for average operation and only for the oil prescribed in the maintenance regulations for this model. In other words:

Moving according to traffic rules in the usual city / highway ratio.
Not spending half the time in traffic jams with the engine running.
specified by the manufacturer, you can be sure of its resource.

But the slightest deviation in the operating modes of the motor immediately affects the rate of oil aging. That is why, being reinsured, many automakers prescribe in small print in service books an almost twofold reduction in the service interval when commercial exploitation, driving in hot regions and so on. This reinsurance clearly indicates that in reality, long service intervals are possible only with an extremely careful attitude to the car.

The convention of service intervals is also confirmed by dealer practice: cars of the same brand, filled with oil from the same barrel, can demonstrate radically different mining properties, up to a visually noticeable drop in viscosity, which directly indicates premature aging of the oil. If the owner changes the grade of oil, then predicting its service life is even more difficult.

Video: Myths about oils and additives # 1 When to change the oil

Regardless of which type of oil is used, considering that the operation of the car is approximately uniform in terms of driving style and loads, it is necessary to take into account the actual behavior of the engine: an increase in noise, loss of viscosity by engine oil will indicate the moment when it will be completely worked out. For example, suppose that this run was 10 thousand kilometers.
Naturally, the replacement period should be shorter: in this case, the motor is already starting to work with increased wear. It is necessary to include at least a 30% margin in the service period, that is, in our example motor oil X in a car Y with a driver Z must change at least every 7 thousand kilometers - but this calculation is only valid when all three factors are combined!

If there is no desire to intentionally “roll out” the entire oil resource (however, most often this happens against the will of the owner), then it makes sense to subject the interval between maintenance specified by the car manufacturer to a similar reduction, but only if the car is not subjected to overloads - otherwise a decrease run between replacements is already clearly stipulated. For example, at Renault Logan the section "Special Operating Conditions" in the service book directly prescribes an oil change every 7500 km for cold regions, long idling, and so on - it makes sense to follow this recommendation.

Special mention should be made of cases when the owner changes not only the brand, but also the type of engine oil - for example, if he switches from recommended synthetics to semi-synthetics in order to save money. Here, the requirement for a two-fold reduction in the interservice mileage is just as true - do not forget that semi-synthetics are essentially mineral oil with some synthetic components, and, in addition to the aging of the additive package, the destruction of the mineral "base" is also noticeably more active.

Video: How to determine the degree of contamination of the oil?

Longlife oils - does it make sense?

The key definition of the applicability of such oils is based on three postulates:

If a particular engine is designed for oils with an extended replacement period.
If a particular oil has an automaker's approval for this engine.
If the car is operated in conditions that allow the use of longlife oils.

The problem is precisely in the last paragraph - on such runs it is even important.

Mentioning above about the processes that occur during the aging of oil, we did not mention another important factor - the breakthrough of exhaust gases through the piston rings. For a serviceable engine with normal (and even more so adjusted to decrease) service intervals, this is not of fundamental importance, but on longlife oil runs, even a minimal breakthrough of combustion products of low-quality fuel into the crankcase can noticeably sulfur compounds (the main problem of low-grade fuel) and accelerate its aging . As a result, saving on rare replacements becomes really possible only at much higher costs for high-grade fuel from “tested” gas stations, otherwise the performance of long-life oils cannot be guaranteed.

We answer no. AT modern cars don't need to be changed very often. Modern engines do not need frequent replacement of engine oil. But despite this, every driver should know some information about the frequency of oil changes.

But in fact, all cars produced today do not need frequent and especially every 5000-8000 km. True, it is worth noting that there are still many old cars on our roads that require an oil change in this interval. But if your car was manufactured no more than 5-7 years ago, then frequent oil changes are not needed.

Why do older cars need more frequent oil changes than new ones? More than a decade ago, there were many cars on the market that were equipped with carburetor injection. It was this system that suggested changing the oil every 5000-8000 kilometers.

Also, the design of the old power units was not as perfect as it is now. Old motors could accumulate moisture in themselves, which, once in the oil, changed its properties. In addition, motor oils were not as perfect 15 years ago as they are now. At the moment, the market is mainly represented by high-class synthetic oils. Thanks to the development of technologies in the chemical industry, these oils have become much more reliable, better and more efficient in their composition. This allowed them to be used in the engine for much longer, even with poor fuel quality.

New technologies that allow you to rarely change the oil in cars

Some car manufacturers have developed various systems to extend engine oil change intervals. For example, Chrysler has developed a system that not only automatically monitors engine oil levels, but also monitors various vehicle operating conditions to determine when a scheduled engine oil change is due.

So, the system monitors the temperature of the engine, monitors the load on the motor, idle time, the number of cold starts of the power unit and many other parameters. It is these characteristics that directly affect the oil change interval.

Obviously, if you often drive a loaded trailer with a heavy load in hot weather and your path constantly lies through a long hill, then the engine in the car is subjected to increased stress, which naturally contributes to the rapid loss of oil properties.

Or, if you often use the car at high speeds, then also, the oil loses its chemical properties faster. Therefore, if you use the car most often at low speeds and do not often transport heavy loads on the car, then the oil can be changed every 15,000 kilometers. Otherwise, the oil must be changed every 10,000 kilometers. True, it is worth noting that these values \u200b\u200bare applicable only for those car brands that have an oil change interval of 15,000 kilometers. If in your car the manufacturer recommends changing the oil every 10,000 km, then in case of an increased load on the engine due to the peculiarities of operation, the oil should be changed every 6000-8000 kilometers.

Another technology that has helped manufacturers increase vehicle mileage between oil changes. This is developments that made it possible to increase the reliability and resistance of engines to destruction through the use of more modern materials, as well as through electronics that regulate the optimal fuel injection.

You ask, what should drivers do who do not drive the required mileage for a scheduled technical inspection for a whole year, during which the engine oil is changed. In this case, despite the low mileage of the car, it is recommended to change the engine oil once a year.

It's all about synthetic additives that are added to the oil and change its properties. A year after the machine has been operated on the same oil, these chemical additives may lose their performance. For example, if you don't change your oil once a year, the chemicals in the oil such as anti-foamers, detergents, corrosion inhibitors, and friction modifiers can degrade. Modern oil is not only a direct product of oil, but also a set of various chemical additives.

Oil change every 40,000 km reality or fiction?

There is another way to increase the oil change interval between scheduled maintenance. For example, you can use various innovative motor oils that are currently on the global car market. There are high-tech and high-quality synthetic oils in the world that do not lose their properties at high vehicle mileage. It is worth noting here that many manufacturers of such oils claim that some brands of oils are capable of withstanding a mileage of 40,000 km.

It is noteworthy that such oils are often used on heavy-duty vehicles which cover huge distances in a short time. And I must admit, judging by the reviews of truckers, such oils do not damage the engine even at high mileage and loads. So, we advise you to try using high-tech oils. This will not only save you money, but improve the performance of your engine.

When choosing which oil to buy, consider the viscosity and brand of oil recommended by the manufacturer. Whenever possible, always use only synthetic oils, which are much better than mineral oils. Remember that more expensive brands of oils are more efficient, they have a lower pour point and increase engine life, and at the same time reduce fuel consumption.

The only condition is to be careful when buying oil. There is a huge percentage of counterfeit oils on our market. If you are offered to buy branded expensive oil for a small amount, then think about whether such oil can cost that much money. For example, in recent years, Russian market There is a widespread myth that the oil sold by official brand dealers is very expensive due to a large markup, and that is why many of us have no doubt that many branded oils are sold for pennies. "Gray" sellers, as a rule, declare that the oil is delivered from Europe bypassing customs and the markup on it, unlike the dealer, is minimal. But don't believe it. Most likely this oil is fake.

Try to buy oils only from official dealer. Let you overpay, but you will receive a guarantee that the oil is original.

Every car owner knows that in order for the car to work fully, its systems need periodic maintenance.

First of all, the old, used oil is replaced. This procedure requires adherence to a certain frequency. Every driver should know how often to change the oil in a car engine. Careful attention to the motor significantly prolongs the operation of the entire system.

It is better to change the oil periodically than to repair or purchase new engine. This is one of the most expensive car systems. When and how to change engine oil? The advice of experienced auto mechanics will help you find the answer.

Why change the oil?

To understand how much to change the oil in the engine, you need to delve into the question of why this is needed at all. Lubricants for the motor perform a series important functions. First of all, they protect moving parts from mechanical damage and abrasion.

During the operation of the engine, carbon deposits form on its parts, dirt accumulates. High-quality motor oil collects soot particles and keeps them suspended. This allows you to facilitate the work of the motor mechanisms.

If you do not change the oil in the engine for a long time, contaminants accumulate in the lubricant and begin to settle on the working surfaces of the mechanisms. This complicates the functioning of the system, causes the destruction of parts.

Another important purpose of consumables is to protect all mechanical elements of the system from corrosion. Without high-quality lubrication, the engine will not be able to work for a long time and fully.

Oil types

Exist different kinds lubricants for the motor. For each car, they must be selected correctly. Each manufacturer tests the operation of the motor mechanism. As a result of the research, conclusions are drawn about the most suitable type of consumables.

Changing the oil in a car engine can be done using products based on mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic substances. Also, the composition of consumables includes special additives. Mineral oil is cheaper. It is used by car drivers whose engine has high mileage.

For new motors, manufacturers allow the use of synthetic or semi-synthetic agents. They are more fluid and have pronounced detergent properties. Such funds do not require replacement as often as mineral varieties. Synthetic-based substances are able to protect the mechanism much better.

Replacement frequency

To understand how much to change the oil in the engine, you must first look at the instruction manual. It states that it is necessary to change consumables for the motor every 10-14 thousand km.

However, this figure is an average. It is affected by the loads that the engine is subjected to during operation. For example, standing in traffic jams, the motor is poorly cooled. Consumables in these conditions are aging much faster. The difference is really huge. In this case, the oil will have to be changed much earlier.

If the car drives mainly on the highway at a speed of 100-130 km / h, the system is fully cooled. This reduces the thermal load on the motor and, accordingly, the oil. This allows you to replace the consumable later.

It is ideal for engine operation to be driven at medium speed, as well as a small amount of idling time (after the engine has warmed up).

Severe operating conditions

To figure out how many kilometers to change the oil in the engine, you need to find out what is considered severe engine operating conditions. If they occur, the consumable will need to be changed earlier than after 10-14 thousand km.

Unfavorable factors that increase the load on the engine and the oil in it include extreme ambient temperatures. hard frost or, conversely, heat, as well as fluctuations in the level of air heating, are considered unfavorable factors. Also, a humid climate or high dustiness can cause an urgent need for an oil change.

If the vehicle is carrying heavy loads (in the trunk or on a trailer), the consumable will degrade faster. Road conditions big city, frequent traffic jams are also equated to adverse factors. If they are available, the indicator of the frequency of changing the motor lubrication indicated in the instructions is reduced by 25-30%.

Effect of oil type on change frequency

Having figured out why to change the oil in the engine, you need to take into account one more point. Due to the fact that a variety of products are presented on the consumables market today, the duration of their operation also differs.

Mineral varieties require replacement much more often. Otherwise, they greatly clog the engine with combustion products.

Semi-synthetics differ from them in greater stability of the base. To improve it, such tools are supplied with quite a few additives. Despite this, the funds presented degrade quickly. Semi-synthetics good quality can correspond to standard replacement intervals - 10-12 thousand km. But the engine should work without heavy loads.

Synthetics are also different. Hydrocracking types are not far from semi-synthetics. More commonly, polyalphaolefin-based oils are used, as well as ester materials. The most progressive and expensive are synthetic polyglycol lubricants. Their service life is much longer than that of other means.

Self oil change

To perform maintenance yourself, you need to know the procedure for changing the engine oil. If you do all the actions yourself, you can save financial resources.

For this, it is necessary to allocate a sufficient amount of time, especially if this procedure has to be done for the first time. It is necessary to choose a good place where no one will interfere, and where the car will not become an obstacle to anyone.

If there is no specially equipped place nearby (with a pit or a lift), you can find a special type of landscape. It can be a bump or a hill. A hole will work too.

All actions are best performed in dry weather. The car must be put on the handbrake. It is very important that it does not roll off during engine maintenance. You can even jack up the wheels. wooden blocks or bricks.

Waste drain

Next, you need to consider how to properly change the oil in the engine. Depending on the location of the drain tank cover, the machine must be properly jacked up. From right choice wheels for lifting depends on the comfort when working.

Next, you should climb under the car, unscrew the tank cap. A container is placed under it. Working off will be hot, so the procedure is carried out carefully and with gloves. If the liquid gets on your hand, it should be wiped with a pre-prepared rag.

For containers, a basin is best suited. It is also worth preparing a plastic bottle with a capacity of 5 liters. It will be possible to merge mining into it. It must be handed over for disposal to the collection point of the manufacturer. Garage cooperatives also accept working off.

Before draining the old oil, the engine must be warmed up well. You can just drive about 5 km by car. The lubricant will become more fluid, and the suspension of dirt particles will mix and be removed from the engine parts. When heated, more mining can be drained from the motor.

Filter replacement

Considering the procedure for how to properly change the oil in the engine, you should study the technology for replacing the oil filter. While the mixture flows into the prepared container, you can proceed to the next stage of work.

You need to unscrew the old filter. No special tool is required to remove the cleaner. The filter is unscrewed manually. If the cleaner has become attached to its seat, a special puller is used. Exist different types this tool. If desired, it can be made independently according to the purchased template.

When the puller breaks the filter from its place, it is unscrewed by hand. If the cleaner was installed upside down, old oil may leak from it. It must be wiped off with a rag. The filter is recyclable. It cannot be washed and put back into the engine. Be sure to purchase a new filter.

Do I need oil when installing the filter?

When studying how and how often to change the oil in the engine, several nuances should be taken into account. Filter replacement does not require additional lubrication in 99% of cases. Some drivers claim that lubrication when replacing the cleaner avoids the formation air lock. They claim that in this case, the consumable material immediately enters the system.

However, filter manufacturers do not suggest such a procedure. The seat of the cleaner is thoroughly cleaned of contaminants. Just a few drops of oil are applied to the sealing ring of the new filter.

Manually the cleaner is screwed into the mounting location. It needs to be tightened ¾ turn. The oil spreads very quickly in the system. Therefore, pouring it into the filter is a waste of time. The design of the purifier eliminates the possibility of air pockets.

Filling in new oil

Considering the question of how and how often to change the oil in the engine, attention should be paid to pouring a new product into the engine. Processing can take quite a long time. At least 30 minutes it is necessary to provide liquids to go outside.

Completely remove the old oil will not work. Therefore, it is more correct to fill the engine with the same agent that was previously used in the engine. After draining the mining, the tank cap is screwed back. It is not worth pressing it, otherwise you can break the thread.

A funnel is inserted into the neck of the tank. The oil is poured in small portions. Depending on the type of motor, about 3 liters of consumables will be required. Next, you need to wait 20 minutes for the product to be distributed throughout the system.

Then you need to check the oil level with a dipstick. It should ideally be between the min and max marks. More oil is allowed. Its level then approaches the maximum value.

Experienced auto mechanics give an answer to the question of when it is better to change the engine oil. This event is best timed to coincide with a general inspection. But at the same time, all of the above factors should be taken into account, which can reduce the time normal operation consumable.

If the oil level drops significantly after the first ride, a leak may occur. In this case, it is better to contact the service center. Experienced specialists with the help of special equipment will be able to determine the cause of the breakdown.

Having studied how and how often to change the oil in the engine, each car owner will be able to properly and timely maintain the engine. At the same time, it is possible to significantly increase the working life of the system, preventing its destruction under the influence of mechanical loads and high temperatures.

As you know, 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, lubrication allows for effective cleaning. oil system, acts as a neutralizer of oxidative processes, removes excess heat from parts and assemblies to prevent local overheating, etc.

Given the significant temperature fluctuations and high heating, as well as due to the active chemical processes to which lubricant inside, engine oil is prone to accelerated aging and rapid loss of its beneficial properties. It becomes clear that lubrication is a consumable, while for any engine the required frequency of oil changes is strictly defined. In parallel with this, a number of specific factors can additionally influence the service life of the material.

Next, we will talk about why you need to change the oil in the engine and how often you need to change the oil. Issues such as the minimum oil change interval, how long it takes to change the oil in the engine by time and mileage, whether to change the oil in the engine often and on what conditions the change intervals depend on will also be considered.

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 the process of natural aging. This means that its properties, one way or another, deteriorate as a result of oxidation, as well as due to the gradual cessation of the work (activation) 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 loads 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, and the resource of the internal combustion engine is also greatly reduced.

The fact is that the engine in this case is much worse protected from mechanical wear at the interface of loaded elements. Also, as a result of a significant increase in the viscosity index, there is a general deterioration in the pumpability of the oil through the system. In combination with a decrease in throughput and / or clogging of oil channels ( power unit begins to experience) there is significant wear on the motor.

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 as a result of fuel leaks into the crankcase, penetration. In these cases, wear also increases significantly, and engine jamming may occur.

Determine when to change the oil in the engine

So, it is quite obvious that the lubricant in the motor must be replaced. It is important to clearly understand when you need to change the oil. Given the fact that the material in the internal combustion engine ages, it turns out that the more often it is replaced, the better. However, it must also be taken into account that too early replacements are not needed in many cases.

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 the basis of what and how to choose the right replacement intervals.

At the very beginning, we note that there is simply no unambiguous and exact answer, after how many kilometers, hours or months to change the oil. There is only an oil change interval recommended by the engine manufacturer, which is indicated in the instruction manual. At the same time, in many cases, the frequency of replacements remains quite individual.

Most importantly, do not exceed the service life of the lubricant. For 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 only such an interval should always be followed.
Also, you do not need to rely on the statements of oil manufacturers in the fuel and lubricants markets. Even if high-quality oil from the Longlife line is used (for example, with an extended service life of up to 30 or 50 thousand km.), There is no guarantee that the lubricant normally leaves the entire declared resource or even half of such a run.

The fact is that 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 taken into account. 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 from 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 features of vehicle operation, etc. Only in some cases, the manufacturer can separately take into account regional characteristics, but this practice is more typical of cars that are specially designed for specific markets. This does not apply to mass models.

It is also necessary to add that the car manufacturer himself is not particularly interested in the engine running as long as possible. The main task becomes good work ICE during the warranty period, then the unit must pass a certain average number of hours to maintain 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 it possible to make the product more attractive and convenient for the client, but to the detriment of the internal combustion engine resource. At the same time, there is no particular interest in the further extension of this resource either. What's more, post-warranty breakdowns are a proven way to get customers to change their car for a new one rather than repair it.

It becomes clear that for car manufacturers today the service interval is a marketing ploy, as it implies the ability 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 maintenance and operation manual for the vehicle can be greatly increased.

Now let's move on to oils. Many modern products are positioned as motor oils with an extended service life (service interval). As a rule, such a lubricant 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 type oil must also be approved by the engine manufacturer for use in its engine, that is, a product of one brand or another must undergo separate certification.
The engine manufacturer will only allow the use of oils under the Longlife scheme if the vehicle is operated exclusively in the prescribed modes and is in conditions suitable for the use of lubricants under the extended drain scheme.

If everything is more or less clear with the first and second points, then questions immediately arise regarding the third position. Usually, there is no detailed description of the “optimal” modes, while the declared extended oil change intervals are calculated based on these modes.

We add that, based on practical use, an increase in the interval for Longlife oil is possible if the car constantly drives along the highway in the mode of medium engine loads. At the same time, high-quality fuel is poured in, 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 on highways in 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 foregoing, the replacement of old used oil, (both conventional and Longlife) is desirable only with a decrease, and not with an increase in the interval.

What affects engine oil life

seasonality;
modes of operation;
fuel quality;
oil base;
efficiency of filters;
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 take them into account additionally. Subsequent analysis allows you to more accurately determine the conditions under which the car is operated.

The fact is that the frequency of changing engine oil is highly dependent on operating conditions. If the machine is subjected to so-called severe conditions, the oil change interval is bound to be shortened.

Severe conditions should be understood as certain regimes. These include long downtime of the car, after which trips are made, but then the car stops again. Especially strongly this mode reduces the lubricant resource in winter. The fact is that condensate accumulates inside the engine, chemical processes are activated, oil is oxidized.

On motors that are operated daily and warmed up to operating temperatures, 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 prevent the formation of condensate.

Driving in the city at low speeds, traffic jams, frequent accelerations and stops. This mode is difficult for the motor, since large loads on the internal combustion engine occur precisely during the start of movement from a place. At the same time, 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 is idling. The idle mode 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 fuel also greatly affects the properties of the oil. The fact is that combustion products accumulate in the lubricant, worsening the useful properties of the material. It is important to understand that the change interval recommendations 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 on high revs, trailer towing, constant transportation of a large number of passengers and cargo.

In these cases, the engine must be "twisted" in order to get more power from it. It is quite obvious that the oil in this case will oxidize faster and lose its properties. By the way, riding in mountainous or hilly terrain with alternating long ascents and descents also refers to difficult conditions. On climbs, the driver loads the engine, and on descents, the engine braking mode is often activated.

Driving on dirt roads, operating the vehicle in conditions of high air pollution. In this case, the oil actively accumulates pollution from the environment, the lubrication life is noticeably reduced.

As you can see, the domestic operating conditions are far from the "calculated" ideal and can be fully considered severe. For this reason, it is necessary to separately adjust the relubrication intervals, 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% from that 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 by 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 the best time to check the lubrication level, on a cold or hot engine. Useful tips.

Many car owners do not know how much to change the oil in the engine of their car or doubt the data provided by the manufacturer on the frequency of replacing consumables. And for good reason. through every 10-15 thousand kilometers often not quite right.

Better at it be guided by the number of hours worked and the average speed. In answering the question of how often to change the oil in the engine, there are many components. 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 of the car and the oil used.

Also, the frequency of changing the oil in the engine is influenced by additional factors - the number of hours, engine power and volume, 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 according to the shift interval: in urban conditions, the oil “works” 8-12 thousand, on the highway / light traffic without traffic jams it works out up to 15 thousand km. The most accurate way to find out when to change can only be given by a laboratory analysis of oil recovery.

What affects the frequency of replacement

Each automaker in the manual for the car contains detailed information on when to change the engine oil. 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 individual case, the number may differ). But in fact, several factors affect the mileage between replacements.

10 indicators affecting the timing of engine oil changes

Type of fuel (gas, gasoline, diesel) and its quality
Engine capacity
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 changing the oil in the engine is affected by car operation. Without delving into the essence of the various transients, it is worth mentioning two main modes - on the highway and in the city. The fact is that when a car drives along the highway, firstly, the mileage runs much faster, and secondly, the engine cools down normally. Accordingly, the load on the engine and on the oil used in it is not so high. On the contrary, if the car is used in the city, then its mileage will be significantly lower, and the load on the engine will be higher due to the fact that it often stands at traffic lights and traffic jams with the engine running. Cooling will be insufficient.

In this regard, it would be more competent to calculate how much oil in the engine needs to be changed, based on engine hours, as it is done in cargo, agricultural and water engineering. Let's take an example. 10 thousand kilometers in urban conditions (with an average speed of 20 ... 25 km / h) the car will pass in 400 ... 500 hours. And the same 10 thousand on the highway at a speed of 100 km / h - only for 100 hours. Moreover, the operating conditions of the engine and oil on the track are much milder.

Driving in a metropolitan area rightly equates to driving on hard off-road in terms of how it destroys 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 high temperatures, including from hot road surfaces in megacities.

Engine size and type

What affects the frequency of oil changes

How more powerful engine, the easier it is for him to survive the change in load, 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 hence on the oil, will change smoothly.

Another thing is a small car. 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 operating speeds. Accordingly, small engines experience greater loads in critical conditions than powerful ones. When the load on the motor increases, the temperature of its pistons also increases, and the amount of crankcase gases also increases. This leads to an overall increase in temperature, including the temperature of the oil.

It is especially hard for small forced engines (for example, 1.2 TSI and others). In this case, the load is also supplemented by a turbine.

Additional factors

It is worth mentioning here high temperature temperature control (operating temperature), poor engine crankcase ventilation (especially when driving in urban areas), use of low-quality or unsuitable oil for this engine, dirt in the oil channels, clogged oil filter, oil operating temperature range.

It is believed that optimal interval oil change in the engine is from 200 to 400 hours under various operating modes, with the exception of maximum load, including driving on top speed and maximum rpm.

Also of great importance is the type of oil used -, or completely. You can read about each of the mentioned species separately at the links provided.

Why you need regular oil changes

Dashboard display

What can happen to the car if you do not change the engine oil 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. It is they who protect the engine parts.

During the operation of the machine, and even its parking, there is a continuous chemical destruction of additives. Naturally, when driving, this process is faster. At the same time, natural deposits are formed on the engine crankcase, oxidative processes occur with individual components of the oil, its viscosity and even the pH level change. These facts are the answers to the question - why change oil at least once a year.

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 with a significant load, the described processes in the oil occur at an even greater speed. Especially at high temperatures. However, modern manufacturers are constantly improving the technology and chemical composition 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, oil and engine temperatures, the number of cold starts, speed, and so on. In addition, the program takes into account errors and technical tolerances. So the computer only tells the approximate time when you need to change the engine oil.

Unfortunately, on store shelves not only Russian Federation, but also other CIS countries, a large number of low-quality or simply fake motor oils are currently being sold. And given that our fuel is often of poor quality, the frequency of oil changes still needs to be adjusted. In particular, if we talk about how many km 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, whether you operate the machine or not.

Let's list the causes and consequences untimely replacement engine oil:

Deposit formation. The reasons for this phenomenon are the process of destruction of additives or contamination of the oil with combustion products in the crankcase. The consequences are a significant decrease in engine power, an increase in the content of toxic substances in exhaust gases, and their blackening.
Significant engine wear. Reasons - oils lose their properties due to changes in the composition of additives.
Increasing the viscosity of the oil. This can happen for the same reasons. In particular, due to oxidation or a violation of the polymerization of additives due to wrong selection oils. The 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 clogging of the oil channel with a thickened composition. The smaller the cross-sectional area, the greater the load connecting rod bearings. Because of this, they overheat and crank.
Significant wear of the turbocharger(if available). In particular. high risk of damage to the rotor. It occurs due to the fact that the used oil has a significant impact on the compressor shaft and bearings. As a result, they are damaged and scratched. And besides this, dirty oil leads to clogging of the compressor lubrication channels, which can lead to its jamming.

Do not operate the machine with burnt and thickened oil. This exposes the motor to significant wear.

The problems described above are typical for machines operated in urban environments. After all, it is considered one of the most difficult for the engine. Next, we present interesting factual data that were obtained experimentally. They will help you decide after what mileage to change the oil in the engine.

Results of experiments with oils

Specialists of the well-known automotive magazine "Behind the Wheel" conducted six-month studies of several types synthetic oils under the conditions of operation of machines in urban traffic jams (on idling). To do this, the engines worked for 120 hours (analogous to a run of 10 thousand kilometers along 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 idling 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 engine crankcase, where it all mixes with oil. In this case, some (insignificant) amount of oil may be in the fuel.

The value of the drop in viscosity of engine oil is about 0.4 ... 0.6 cSt (centistokes). This value is within 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 70...100 hours(each oil is different, but the trend is the same for everyone) the viscosity begins to increase 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. The mentioned products have a certain acidity, which is transferred to the oil. Also affected by the lack of ventilation and low turbulence of the air-fuel mixture due to the fact that the piston moves relatively slowly. Because of this, the fuel combustion rate is below average, and the ingress of exhaust gases into the crankcase is maximum.

The widespread opinion that a large amount of dirt is formed in the engine during idling 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 wear products, their amount is much greater for the oil operated in the “plug” mode than for the one that was on the “highway”. The reason for this is the low speed of the pistons, as well as the high operating temperature of the oil (lack of ventilation). As for waste, each oil behaves differently. 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 of how many kilometers to change the oil in the engine.

Next, we will dwell on the question of how often to change the oil in the engine. As mentioned above, the recommendations of car manufacturers should be treated with a great deal of skepticism. Not to completely ignore them, but amend. If you drive a car only in city conditions (according to statistics, there are a majority of such car owners), then this means that the oil is used in heavy mode. Remember that the less oil in the crankcase, the faster it ages. Therefore, its optimal level is slightly lower on the indicator probe.

How many thousand to change the oil in the engine?

Calculation of engine hours for oil change

Above, we wrote that it is more competent to calculate the frequency of oil changes based on 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 methods 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 (the 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 car manufacturer's recommendations at what mileage you need to change the oil. For example, the mileage before an oil change is 15 thousand kilometers, and average speed in the city - 29.5 km / h.

Accordingly, to calculate the number of hours, you need to divide the distance by the speed. In our case, this will be 15000 / 29.5 = 508 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 hours. However, in reality, such oils simply do not exist today.

We offer you a table that shows the types of engine oils and their corresponding engine hours according to API (American Petroleum Institute):

Let's assume that the car engine is filled with SM/SN class oil, which has a service 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 very 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 cities, taking into account traffic jams and downtime), then with the same 350 hours we will get 7525 km of run! Now it becomes clear why it is necessary to divide the mileage recommended by the automaker 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 your car consumes per 100 kilometers according to the passport, 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. Mileage for replacement remains the same - 15,000 km. We derive the proportion and find out how much in theory the car has to spend to overcome 15,000 km: 15,000 km * 8 liters / 100 km = 1200 liters. Now let's do the same 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 a theoretical 1200 liters of fuel). Let's use a similar proportion: 1200 liters * 15000 km / 1590 liters = 11320 km.

We present to you an electronic calculator that will allow you to calculate the value of the actual mileage to an 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 if the oil has thickened or burned. Its condition can be assessed visually. If you see that the oil is dripping from the dipstick like water, then this is a sure sign that the oil needs to be changed. Another interesting method of checking is by spreading the composition on a napkin. A very thin oil will form a large and runny slick that will tell you when it's time to change the fluid. If this is the case, immediately go to a car service or carry out the procedure yourself.

How often to change the oil in a diesel engine

As for diesel engines, the same calculation logic applies here as for gasoline units. It is only necessary to take into account that the working fluid in them is subjected to greater external influences. As a result, it needs to be changed a little more often. In addition, domestic diesel fuel It has a high sulfur content, which adversely affects the car engine.

Regarding the indications given by the car manufacturer (especially Western manufacturers), they, like gasoline engines, must be divided by 1.5 ... 2 times. It concerns 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.

Theoretically, oil selection is based on total base number (TBN). It measures the amount of active anti-corrosion additives in an oil and indicates the tendency of their formulations to form deposits. The higher the number, the greater the oil's ability to neutralize acidic and aggressive 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 in the oil of products that provoke an increase in corrosion and wear intensity of various friction pairs in a car engine.

However, before deciding how many hours to change the oil in a diesel engine, you need to deal with one nuance. In particular, is it possible to use engine oils with a low base number (TBN) 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 drops, and the acid number rises. 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 destroys the engine. We present to your attention the test graphs for four types of oils with different indicators of acid and base numbers. For the experiment, four types of oils were taken with the conditional 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 can be seen from the graph, the test results were as follows:

oil A - 5W30 (TBN 6.5) - was completely used after 7000 km;
oil B - 5W30 (TBN 9.3) - was completely used after 11,500 km;
oil C - 10W30 (TBN 12) - was completely worked out after 18,000 km;
oil D - 5W30 (TBN 9.2) - was completely used after 11,500 km.

That is, oil for heavily loaded diesel engines turned out to be the most resistant. What conclusions can be drawn from the given information:

A high base number (TBN) is critical for those regions where poor quality diesel fuel (in particular, with high S impurities) is sold. The use of such an oil will provide you with a longer and safe operation engine.
If you are confident in the quality of the fuel you use, 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 give you the opportunity 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.

From a general point of view, it should be added that diesel engines oil needs to be changed a little more often than in gasoline ones. And it is worth choosing it, among other things, by the value of the total acid and alkaline numbers.

findings

Thus, each car owner must decide for himself how much to change the oil in the engine. This must be done according to individual circumstances. We recommend that you use the calculation methods for engine hours and gasoline consumption given above (including calculators). In addition, always visually assess the condition of the oil in the engine crankcase. So you will significantly reduce the wear and tear of the engine of your car, which will save you from having to carry out expensive repairs. Also, when replacing, buy high-quality oils recommended by the manufacturer.

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