Summer winter engine oil. What kind of oil to fill in for the winter in the engine? How to choose the best engine oil

Before the winter season, motorists think about what kind of oil to pour into the engine in winter. It all depends on what kind of oil you use and what climate you live in. Winter engine oil, in contrast to the summer counterpart, should be more fluid for better engine start to "cold". Summer oils have a thicker viscosity, so in severe frosts they freeze and prevent engine parts from turning, which not only harms the car, but also prevents them from being used in some cases.

Do I need to change engine oil in winter

The quality of consumables at low temperatures plays a big role. Winter engine oil is distinguished, first of all, by a different viscosity, it is more liquid and does not thicken up to a certain temperature, which makes it possible to effectively lubricate the nodes, allowing them to scroll. That is why you need to choose products with low viscosity. This is necessary so that, at startup, the oil can get to all even remote motor components, lubricate them with high quality and create a protective film. Otherwise, the motor will run dry, which will adversely affect its technical condition and lead to rapid wear.

If you pour oils with a high viscosity, in the cold they will thicken greatly and will not lubricate the parts, and it is also possible that they will stick to them, preventing them from moving. The car will either not start, or will work with large overloads, which is highly undesirable. With this start, the load on the battery also increases significantly, as a result of which it quickly loses charge. Due to frost, the battery already loses about 40% of its charge per night, not to mention the additional efforts that the starter expends, which is unable to turn the engine flywheel due to the high density of the oil. It is in order to avoid various kinds of problems that it is necessary to use winter motor oil. Not worth it in case of an attack winter season look back at the mileage, even if you change the oil earlier, it will only benefit the car.

Choose the oil to pour into the engine in winter

Be sure to pay attention to the viscosity of the product, not so much the brand of the product as its role. technical indicators. Pay attention to the temperature tolerance at which the oil can be used. If you live in a warm climate, then the viscosity used for summer oils will also work, but for a more severe climate, you have to choose the appropriate product.

Viscosity is understood as the ability of a product to form a protective film when exposed to certain temperatures. The higher the viscosity index, the thicker the lubricant, and the film, respectively, thicker. Viscosity is subject to the following requirements:

• Not too high. With an excessively thick layer of lubricant, sticking of parts can occur, because of this, the engine experiences increased loads, fuel consumption increases, regardless of whether you have a gasoline or diesel engine.
• Should not be excessively low. If the film is too thin, it may not be enough for good lubrication, which will lead to rapid wear of parts.

Engine oil viscosity index

Such a characteristic as the viscosity index is a very important parameter. It should be noted that when the engine is running, the oil heats up and becomes more liquid. The viscosity index indicates how quickly the oil becomes liquid. You can derive the following dependency:

• With a high index, the density of the product is lost slowly. Parts are better lubricated;
• With a low indexation of the product, it liquefies quickly enough, due to which the wear of the motor increases;
• The index indicates the stability of the lubricant, determines its quality, shows at what temperatures it can work.

When choosing a winter type of lubricant, you need to look at products with a high indexation, this will make it easier to start the engine in cold weather. It is extremely rare that these values ​​\u200b\u200bare indicated on the canister. Manufacturers usually don't do this. The type of oil will help you understand the maximum temperature values:

• Synthetic - 140-170 degrees;
• Semi-synthetic - 130-150;
• Mineral water - 110-135.

The last type has the lowest value, which means that such oil will look like jelly in the cold. However, mineral oils are not suitable for older cars, because they are designed for new types of engines that have a completely different design.

What kind of oil to fill in the engine for the winter according to SAE classification

This is the most understandable and common classification for drivers, which is indicated on canisters, for example, it may look like this:

• 10w40;
• 15w40;

Oils are divided into three types: summer, all-weather, winter. All-weather ones are of higher quality and are often applicable at any time of the year. This makes them the most popular, as you do not have to monitor the weather, which is important if you can suddenly catch frost. Summer brands include oils with an indicator of 20-60: this figure is indicated before the letter W. winter types six, their number is from 0 to 25. All-weather fluid can be recognized by the designation or, for example, 5w30. The letter W in this case stands for winter, the value in front of it is an indicator of the temperature limit at which the oil will remain of sufficient viscosity, the second digit indicates the viscosity for summer. However, it is worth noting that the numbers indicated on the packaging are not the extreme limit at which the oil will work in a given temperature regime.

SAE marking is much more complicated and means the following:

• 5w30 - the lubricant will retain its properties until the external temperature drops below -30 degrees. This rule applies to a non-working car that is stored in the cold, that is, at lower temperatures, the lubricant will thicken and starting the engine will be much more difficult.
• The marking shows that the oil is designed for use at temperatures up to -40 degrees;
• 10w30 - up to -25 degrees;
• 15w40 - up to -15 degrees.

For some manufacturers, these figures may not match. Therefore, motor winter, brands should be studied separately and choose the one that, in terms of parameters, will best suit your car. It will not be superfluous to study which oil was recommended by the factory of your car brand.

So which engine oil for the winter is better

Before choosing an oil, you need to study its characteristics well. Several criteria will need to be taken into account:

• Lubricant recommended by car manufacturers;
• Which car has mileage, it is known that for engines with high mileage it is better to use special lubricants, as they are more demanding on quality;
• Under what conditions is the vehicle being used?
• driving style. The more aggressive the driving style, the better the oil is needed, since the engine is under more stress;
• Does the liquid have the appropriate certificates, for example, API ACEA, in addition, the products must have various tolerances, without which it is impossible to give her a quality guarantee;

Many stores have special catalogs with which they can pick up oil according to the brand of your car. To do this, you need to know the VIN code and the year of manufacture. In addition, you can choose products using the Internet, there are many catalog sites where you can quickly search for what you need.

You need to pay attention to the design of the engine. The best thing to do would be to listen to the recommendations given by the car manufacturer. However, you can deviate from them to a small extent, for example, if the service book indicates that you need to fill in 10w40 car oil, nothing bad will happen if you fill in 15w40, but you should prepare for the fact that the oil pump will be a little more difficult to work in severe frosts. Too thick lubricants should not be used, as the engine itself is designed for thinner ones. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that it is desirable to add products similar to the one you use, when changing the viscosity or brand of oil, it is better to flush the engine.

The mileage of the car, the technical condition of the engine plays an important role. If you have used synthetics, but the mileage has reached 70,000, it is better to switch to semi-synthetics, as it is softer in relation to parts whose performance has decreased somewhat during the period of use of the car. This rule applies to both gasoline engines and those that use diesel fuel for operation.

If the motor is sufficiently worn, oil with a high viscosity index should not be used. You should also not use a product with high fluidity, that is, you need to use a slightly thicker oil than the one that was standard for your car when it was new. Density begins to play important role, since with the development large gaps are formed that need to be closed with a lubricant. However, excessively thick oil can damage the engine. That is why, when choosing which oil is better to fill in the engine in winter, experts recommend paying attention to the following products:

• If the car's mileage exceeds 100,000, you can use the all-weather option, in winter it is better to switch to lubricants labeled 5w30 and 10w30.
• If the mileage exceeds 250 thousand, you can use off-season oil or winter oil 5w40, 10w40.
• If the condition of the engine is good, you can not change the oil to another, but if the mileage is low, but the power unit is dead, it is better to use oil for it as for old engines.

Approvals and standards

Should be flooded at any time of the year only quality oil, which is why it is required to study the markings and tolerances well. This will allow you to choose exactly the product that you need. Be sure to check the oil tolerance before buying it, if it is, then the car will work well on it, especially if the tolerance was issued by the same concern whose car you use.

Tolerance is a marking that must be on a canister of liquid. This is an automotive company certification that is awarded to a product as a result of independent testing by the automaker. Standards can differ from each other, most often these are API and ACEA, they are easy to understand. API is an American oil rating system. It has the following markings:

• "C" - such products are used for diesel engines;
• "S" - for engines running on gasoline;
• "SC" - universal.

In addition, there may be products marked SL / CI-4: this is also a universal lubricant for engines running on any type of fuel.

ACEA is a European standard. It's also easy to understand:

• "A" - means gasoline engines.
• "B" - diesel.
• "E" - for trucks.
• "C" - applies universally.

In custody

For the stable operation of the car at any time of the year, it is important to choose the right lubricant. It is necessary that it meets European or American standards, has high quality and sufficient viscosity.

Good day, dear subscribers of our blog! According to your questions, back to the topic of engine maintenance. We have already spoken about the features of the use of motor oils more than once. But special attention deserves the operation of the car in the cold season. Therefore, now we will touch on the question of what kind of oil to pour into the engine in winter?

This issue is one of the most difficult, but also the most significant in the process of operation. It is necessary to take into account a number of parameters, among which one of the main roles is played by the viscosity of the lubricant used. It's one thing when the winter in your region is mild enough, and another thing - if severe hard frosts are by no means uncommon. Even working fluids can freeze, and in this case it will be much more difficult to start the engine.

Most important parameters, which the driver should pay attention to, are contained in the marking of the lubricant, which is necessarily indicated on the package. The main task is to find the optimal combination, which would include the minimum and maximum operating temperatures, as well as the degree of viscosity, respectively. As evidenced by tests conducted by manufacturers, there are the following types of oil with the appropriate qualities:

• 0W-30, the oil with the lowest viscosity, which practically does not respond to low temperatures;
• , such a lubricant has a good viscosity, and it is prepared for temperature extremes;
• class 10-W30, used in climatic zones with relatively moderate temperatures in winter;
• 10W-40, is considered a universal lubricant that can be topped up both in the summer months and in winter, but is generally not recommended for modern powertrains.

In a word, the oil on the label of which the first digit is 0 has the lowest degree of viscosity. This means that it facilitates starting even in the most severe and severe frosts, since it practically does not thicken. Does this mean that it is better to fill it always with it? Of course not, since such a diluted liquid is not able to provide the necessary protection to the rubbing elements of the engine, which leads to their accelerated wear.

The most famous brands

To choose one or another product, you need to pay attention to the brand. Many of them have been working in the automotive market for decades and have already established themselves as trusted manufacturers. Consider the most famous brands:

• • Shell - enjoys well-deserved reviews from consumers, both here and in Europe;
  • Castrol is one of the most recognized brands in the Eurasian market;
  • Xado - not only their lubricant is in demand, but also an additive to engine oil, which improves its performance in the cold season;
  • Mobil - produced in Germany, widely and widely sold in all European countries;
  • Zic is a proven brand that is popular due to its loyal pricing policy;
  • Lukoil is the most famous mineral and synthetic oil among domestic manufacturers. However, for operation in regions with miles of frost, it is difficult to call it the best choice for the consumer.

Despite the seemingly wide choice on the car oil market, you should carefully consider whether it is possible to use the products of a particular company. Otherwise, you run the risk of not starting your vehicle after parking during the frost period. Much depends on the storage conditions of the car: if in a garage, then the requirements for lubrication can be significantly lower. You can use a universal all-weather fluid without fear for the wear of engine parts.

Another problem during operation in cold weather is not even related to starting the power unit, but to the fact that with a high viscosity in the first minutes, cold lubrication causes increased wear of the piston group elements. Therefore, motorists have a completely logical question: how to heat the oil in winter in order to protect the engine. Too viscous substance does not go well to all the various nodes or it is simply not enough, as a result of which they work under conditions of increased friction.

About 30 years ago, motor oils were really divided into summer and winter. The first ones were most often made in the countries of the former USSR, on old equipment, based on cheap mineral oils. High-quality winter grease poured into Russia from abroad after the opening of "free trade". What is going on in the automotive chemicals market now?

It's no secret that if you fill in the first oil that comes across or thoughtlessly follow the advice of a neighbor, you can cause serious harm to the motor. Therefore, the choice must be taken responsibly. For summer oils operated in warm weather, the requirements are much less. But in winter, in severe frosts, the engine is most picky about the quality of the lubricant.

When starting, oil should be pumped through the engine. The sooner this happens, the better - after all, for some time the motor has to work almost dry. And when metal rubs against metal inside the engine, nothing good can be expected. Therefore, the lower the viscosity of the lubricant during cold start, the better. But here it is important to strike a balance, since too thick engine oil will be harder to spread over all the details. However, first things first.

"Mineral water"versus"synthetics"

The main properties of engine oil depend on its "base". This is the base, to which a package of special additives is also added. Said base oil may be mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic.

Mineral(made directly from oil) is considered the most affordable option at the price, however, the period of preservation of useful properties during operation, as well as a number of other characteristics, is at the lowest level. In particular, this type of lubricant in the cold turns into a "kissel", so it is categorically not suitable for the winter. From the pros: mineral oil cleans the engine from carbon deposits and sediment slowly and gradually, peeling off the "garbage" in small parts. Then, when replacing, it is simply output with processing.

Following mineral motor oils, more advanced ones came to the automotive chemistry market - synthetic based on oil refining products and improved by adding various kinds of additives. Synthetics are designed for different temperatures and do not lose their working properties when the engine is heated or cooled. But if earlier low-quality or inappropriate lubricating chemistry was used in the engine, and it is covered with hardened sediment and soot from the inside, then when switching to high-quality synthetics, “garbage” can quickly peel off, as a result of which the oil channels and filter will be clogged. And after that, you will have to give the engine for repair in general ... Therefore, if it is not known what was filled in earlier and how many thousands of kilometers we drove without replacement, then it is better to first fill the engine with cleaning fluid, and only then new oil, and replace several subsequent cycles more often, than recommended by the manufacturer.

The third type of oils - semi-synthetic. They are intermediate between affordable "mineral water" and expensive "synthetics". This is a natural base with the addition of artificially created compounds. Semi-synthetics are more resistant to temperature changes, but this oil is also not suitable for the engine for the winter, since the low temperature threshold is too high, if you look at the thermometer.

Summerversuswinter

So, we have decided on the types of oils, now let's talk about an equally important characteristic - viscosity. When the engine is running, its internal components rub against each other at great speed, which affects their heating and wear. To prevent this from happening, it is important to have a special protective layer in the form of an oil mixture. It also plays the role of a sealant in the cylinders. Thick oil has an increased viscosity, it will create additional resistance to parts during movement, increasing the load on the engine. And enough liquid will simply drain, increasing the friction of the parts and wearing out the metal.

Taking into account the fact that any oil thickens at low temperatures and thins when heated, the American Society of Automotive Engineers divided all oils by viscosity into summer and winter. According to the SAE classification, summer engine oil denoted simply by a number (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60). The indicated value represents the viscosity. The larger the number, the more viscous it is. summer oil. Accordingly, the higher the air temperature in summer in a given region, the higher the oil had to be bought so that it remained sufficiently viscous in the heat.

To the group winter lubricants It is customary to classify products according to SAE from 0W to 20W. The letter W is an abbreviation for the English word winter - winter. And the figure, just like with summer oils, indicates their viscosity, and tells the buyer what the lowest temperature the oil can withstand without harming power unit(20W - not lower than -10°С, the most frost-resistant 0W - not lower than -30°С).

Today, a clear division into oil for summer and winter has receded into the background. In other words, there is no need to change the lubricant based on the warm or cold season. This was made possible by the so-called multigrade engine oil. As a result, individual products only for summer or for winter are now practically not found on the free market. All-weather oil has a type designation SAE 0W-30, being a kind of symbiosis of summer and winter oil designations. In this designation, there are two numbers that determine the viscosity. The first number indicates the viscosity at low temperatures, and the second indicates the viscosity at high temperatures.

How to choose the best engine oil

First of all, when choosing engine oil for a car, you should listen to manufacturer's recommendations. You can find information on permitted oil in the service book, which is provided with each machine. In it, the automaker determines which oil to pour in winter and summer in this model car.

If for some reason the service book is missing, or the information in it is not relevant (for example, such brands are outdated and are no longer produced), the fluid will have to be selected based on the vehicle parameters and tolerances. Do not rely on the advice of friends and the seller in the store. You can't be sure about the professionalism of the shop assistant. And your friend may have another car. For his car, the oil is fine, but for yours it can be disastrous.

To independently determine which oil is best suited for your particular car model, you need to consider engine condition and mileage. With an increase in mileage, the engine density requirements change lubricating fluid. And it is recommended to use an oil with a higher high temperature viscosity index. In other words, it is better not to pour too thin oil into worn motors - due to the increased gaps, the lubricating film will drain from the parts. In addition, when the car passes the mark of 60-70 thousand, it is recommended to switch from synthetics to semi-synthetics. This is due to a decrease performance characteristics motor.

Another important characteristic in the selection of a lubricant is tolerance. This is a special marking on the canister, which means that the oil has passed internal certification from the car manufacturer and is approved by them for use in engines. It is worth noting that API and ACEA certifications are not mandatory for passing before the material hits the store shelves, but usually high-quality lubricants always pass at least one of them, which distinguishes them from the rest.

According to the American standard (API), oils marked "C" are suitable for diesel engines, marked "S" - for gasoline, "S / C" - universal fluid. The second letters on the label speak of quality. The closer to the end of the alphabet, the later the specification was adopted, which means the fluid is better. The ideal option is SM or CI classes.

ACEA is an analogue of API, only European. Everything about it is almost exactly the same. Only the letters are different: "A" - gasoline; "B" - diesel; "C" - universal class; "E" - oils for trucks. Instead of the second letter, a number is indicated to decipher the specification. The larger it is, the later it is accepted, which means it is better.

Finding the right engine oil is a difficult task. It must be approached as carefully and carefully as possible. It is important to remember that it is better to choose longer than to change the lubricant later or repair the machine, since, working on poor-quality or inappropriate material, it will quickly fail.

This picture is familiar to many: a frosty morning and two motorists start their four wheeled "friends". One, the owner of a well-deserved “pensioner”, started, as they say, “with a half kick”, and his neighbor in a brand new car frightens others with an inconclusive howl of a starter until the battery is completely discharged.

How so? The car is new, the manufacturer guaranteed a confident start even at lower temperatures! And the point, in most cases, is in engine oil filled in for the winter. Not in the vehicle itself.

The main parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing engine oil for winter

When operating a car in winter, a motorist, when choosing engine oil, should pay special attention to three of them, which are directly responsible for starting and trouble-free operation of the engine in the conditions of the Russian winter.

Viscosity

The main parameter is viscosity. Everyone has heard of him without exception. But hearing it is one thing, but understanding what it is is quite another. In a nutshell, viscosity is the ability of an oil to maintain its properties within a certain temperature corridor. Simply put, lubricate, reduce the friction force between parts, equally well, both at minus twenty and at plus temperature. And if it's quite simple - do not freeze or boil.

Video - which engine oil is the best:

It is the viscosity index that the manufacturer indicates when labeling his products, in SAE system. For example, let's take one of the most common all-season SAE oils 5W40, where the number five is responsible for the viscosity for negative values, and 40 for positive ones.

It should be remembered that this is a “number”, and not an indicator of the temperature regime!

Rotation and pumpability

But there are two more parameters that are directly dependent on viscosity, but no less important when choosing engine oil for winter. Namely: crankability and pumpability. But the manufacturer does not directly cover this. We'll talk about them in more detail a little later.

Table of oils for cars by temperature

In the meantime, let's see which marking according to the SAE system corresponds to different temperature conditions.

Remember we asked you not to confuse the number of markings with the temperature of the medium at which the use of oil is allowed? The table below clearly shows which of the values ​​corresponds to a certain threshold.

The lower the value of the first number of the marking, the higher the possibility of operating the car in winter.

The first four oils are purely winter, use in summer is prohibited. Following are four of their comrades, but already in the neighboring summer "workshop". And the first and second groups in our time are used only by very meticulous motorists.

Most prefer the so-called all-weather motor oil. And as you can see, some of them are able to seriously compete with their "clean" counterparts. And, whatever you say, it's convenient. Therefore, in the future we will focus on all-weather oils.

Video - what engine oil to fill in the engine:

So what is the best engine oil to pour in winter? The answer to this question is very easy to find in the owner's manual for the car. There, the manufacturer quite categorically answers it. But there are two problems here. The first is mentality. Almost any resident of our country will look at the instructions only when something breaks. The second is that there is simply no such booklet at hand.

Therefore, we will figure it out ourselves and it's time to recall the parameters mentioned above: crankability and pumpability. The essence is clear from the names themselves. Pumpability - the ability of oil to pass through the engine system under the influence of the oil pump, and crankability, respectively, is responsible for cold start at low ambient temperatures.

But how do they relate to viscosity? The table is helpful.

And what can be seen from it? The mentioned parameters, superimposed on the temperature scale, differ significantly from the viscosity indicators.

Consider oil labeled 5W40. The minimum pumpability is minus thirty-five degrees, the maximum is plus forty. Crankability — minus twenty-seven. And what do we have in the viscosity table? Operation is allowed at minus thirty. Here it is the first underwater stone. Look, only oil with the number zero has the best performance in these indicators.

Therefore, we can draw a preliminary conclusion.

Which oil is better in winter 5W30 or 5W40?

For most regions Russian Federation it makes absolutely no sense to purchase oils with a lower viscosity index of less than 5. The ideal option is a pair of 5W30 and 5W40.

Well, you say, they sang “war songs” here, and now we have to choose one of the two? Quite right, but we propose to do this together by simple comparison discussed parameters.

Oil 5W30 according to the parameters declared by the manufacturer for the winter period of operation surpasses its "fortieth" competitor 5W40!

But we remember that both of these products are like twins in terms of pumpability and cranking. And which one to choose?

It sounds a little paradoxical, but this happens quite often in life. When choosing engine oil for the winter, you should pay attention to summer characteristics. Our winter is long, but not endless, and if you do not plan to change the oil in the spring, you should think about the upcoming warm days. Agree, autumn, winter, but I remember the sun, the sea, rest ...

And here we see that SAE 5W40, both in terms of viscosity (working at +30) and maximum pumpability (the figure reaches +40), is confidently leading. The winner is determined: from this pair of oils (5w30 or 5w40), it is better to use 5W40 if you will not change the oil for the summer period.

Diesel and petrol power unit

"How - how - the skeptic will say - I have a diesel car, everything is different for me." And no one will argue with him. Oil for diesel and gasoline engines, indeed, is qualitatively different. This is due to the different principles of operation of power units and the type of fuel.

Diesel fuel, even if it is of high quality, due to its chemical composition, gives more soot and soot, which, in addition to the main functions, engine oil fights. Therefore, diesel oils contain a greater amount of detergent additives. Besides diesel oils have a higher alkaline number, which allows to reduce the harmful effects of the acidic environment inherent in the combustion of solariums.

American and European automakers have developed two additional standards dividing oils into gasoline and diesel: API and ACEA respectively.

In the first case, the letter S - indicates oil for a gasoline engine, C - diesel. In the second: A - gasoline, B - diesel.

Also, these standards divide oils into engine types depending on the timing of production and purpose (two-stroke, four-stroke, passenger, truck, and so on). This classification is indicated by the second letter of the marking.

For clarity, below are the tables:

for petrol engines

for diesel engines

Undoubtedly, these indicators should be taken into account, but they in no way cancel the SAE standard. The degree of viscosity and other related parameters are the same for both diesel and gasoline oils.

In any case, the label of each oil will necessarily have an SAE indicator, but API or ACEA is already an additional marking, and even then not always.

And if we talk about the type of oil for diesel operation in winter, experts advise using oil designed for diesel engines. The fact is that at present, manufacturers have put on the market many universal oils suitable for both types. power plants, combining almost incompatible.

The main thing here is to be careful. If the canister has the API designation with the first letter S (SJ / CF) - this product is a priority for gasoline engines, the letter C (CF / SJ) is priority for a diesel engine.

But universality is not always good and convenient. According to the results of studies, such oils are very dependent on the quality of the fuel used: the lower it is, the shorter the life of the oil and, accordingly, its useful properties. We will not talk about the quality of fuel in our country, this is superfluous.

Climatic conditions for different regions

An equally important factor when choosing engine oil is the region of residence, its climatic conditions. All of the above is suitable for the temperate climatic zone of the country: it is hot in summer, and in winter it does not hit teeth.

But if you live in the south, where it doesn't always snow in the winter, you should consider oils oriented more towards warm and hot weather.

And what about those places where polar bears? From the surveys conducted, both motorists and professionals operating vehicles in the regions of the Far North, we came to the conclusion that the vast majority use SAE 5W40.

The lower operating threshold is somewhat arbitrary, and you won’t be able to start the engine at minus forty without installing heating systems with absolutely any oil, so why “fence the garden”?

Particularly attentive and picky readers may notice, why did they say “so-called all-weather oils” at the very beginning. But we didn't agree. To make it clear what exactly we had in mind, let's cite a conversation between two motorists starting cars in the morning.

One is already rumbling, warming up, the second, in no way. The frustrated owner asks the “lucky one”: “What kind of oil are you pouring?”. The answer is fresh. A joke, of course, but as you know, in every joke there is only a fraction of a joke.

The word all-weather has already played a cruel joke with many motorists. The fact is that if an oil change is made in the spring, by winter the engine crankcase is by no means the same product that you took off the shelf in the store.

It is difficult to say which percentages these same properties are reduced for every thousand, but if this were not so, there would be no need to change it. Right?

Therefore, it is preferable to change the oil in the winter. Such a simple rule allows you to use all the declared characteristics to the fullest. And go into the summer with quite suitable oil for mild operating conditions.

As you know, the miser pays twice. Therefore, several simple tips associated with oil changes. Whatever the service or other “knowledgeable” people do not say, take your time and do not skimp, but use flushing oils.

They are not expensive, but they can extend the operational properties of fresh oil quite significantly. And, of course, we install a new oil filter. Iron Rule: change the oil, change the filter! Expensive? How much does an engine repair cost? That's it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can add, in which region you would not live and what type of oil you did not consider the most suitable, preparation for winter is a responsible matter. Don't be lazy, do it.

See what's in the battery banks after the summer heat, and what is the condition of the transmission and clutch. The smallest detail can be a decisive factor even at not very low temperatures.

It's a shame to walk or shake and huddle in public transport when your favorite car is left at the doorstep, refusing to start.

Good luck on the roads!

Video - which oil is better to fill in in winter (freezing 5W30, 5W40):

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Comments on the article:

Konstantin

I live on the border with Kazakhstan. Climate and temperature regime in summer +30, in winter -40. Been driving since 1990. Now the owner of Toyota RAV 4. This is my fifth car. The first years I tried all known brands. Now I'm sure that pouring only synthetic 10w40.

Yuri Rodimenkov

I have a car Hyundai Getz release in 2007. Since the beginning of operation, I have been using synthetic motor Mobil oil 1 5W-40. I am very pleased with the oil. A warm engine runs almost silently and without vibration. In cold weather, the car starts without problems. There was not a single case of failure when starting the engine in winter. From replacement to replacement, the oil level remains within acceptable limits, never had to top up. I recommend this brand of oil to everyone.

novel

In winter, oil can turn to stone after a long period of storage due to low temperatures and high viscosity of the oil. It is necessary to abandon mineral water and use better semi-synthetics with 5W parameters. Also, do not forget to depress the clutch pedal before starting the engine.

Sergei

It is often recommended to use 5W-30 oil for new engines and 5W-40 for older engines. Say, the gaps are increased, you need thicker oil. But besides the density, you need to pay attention to the design of the engine: if the oil channels are designed for more liquid oil, then with a viscosity of 40 it may not be pumped. Therefore, in winter, of course, it is necessary to use 0w- and 5W- oils, but in summer, be more careful about the second digit. Perhaps a 10W-30 oil would be better. Moreover, semi-synthetics, due to its greater stability, detergent properties, and less tendency to form slags and deposits. For the winter, you can pour both semi-synthetics and synthetics. Here it is already necessary to look at tests of specific oils for frost resistance. It happens that the semi-synthetics of one company are more fluid in the cold than the synthetics of another.

Martin

I use Top Tec 4100 5W-40 liquid moth oil in winter and summer, it starts up at -25 without any questions, I don’t need a long warm-up, 2-3 minutes and drove slowly, it warms up completely on the road. Yes, and in the summer at +28 he feels calm in traffic jams. Good oil.

Koptev

Yes, what is one of the big advantages of Liquid Moli oil is that in reality the car began to start in cold weather without problems. But this is only one of the pluses, firstly, the car picks up speed faster, the engine stopped eating oil, fuel consumption has decreased. It is clear that the oil is of high quality and the best for my car.

Arkady

Koptev will support the review, in fact, with LIQUI MOLI oil, the car even began to drive differently, the motor purrs like a cat, all sorts of glitches are gone. My only regret is that I didn't use this oil sooner.

Casimir

Regarding the liquidation of the moth, at first I tried to buy it, the price is of course biting, but then I got tired of problems with the engine. As a result, now I fill liquid moths, there are no problems at all, the car flies, the engine purrs.

Sergei

Naturally, any winter is different in viscosity, for this there is a temperature marking of 30-40 gr. Here you can choose for yourself, depending on the place of movement in the regions. It's simple - why load the engine and battery by oil at 40, if the temperature for the whole season does not exceed 30 gr. Also in reverse order, oil increases viscosity by 30 at temperatures above. Well, the manufacturer is already on experience.

Nikita

I pour Top Tec 4200 5W-30 LM, everything is fine, now we have such winters, you won’t understand what, I call eurowinter like that)

Ivanovich

I know for sure that the main thing is a timely oil change. I am also sure that when changing the oil it is necessary to use flushing oil, the procedure really does not take much time, and the effect is noticeable. And still living in the central part of Russia, for domestic car, I use only semi-synthetic winter-summer oils. I also change the filter along with the oil change. Everything.

Igor

You just have to drive good oil then flushing is not needed. I have been riding Livi Moth for a year, there has never been a need to flush. Unless of course you change the brand of oil.

Oleg

In winter, we all know that starting an engine can be problematic. This largely depends on the oil poured into the engine.
I try to always follow the instructions in the service book of the machine.
Now there are a huge number of oils and choosing them is not always easy. I never use the advice of friends, and even more so sellers.
Three types of oils are mainly used: mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic. I never pour mineral water in winter, it freezes already at -10 degrees. But in the spring I definitely change the filled oil for mineral water. Mineral water, better than other oils, cleans engine parts from carbon deposits, all this rubbish is drained in the fall along with mining.
For the engine, I use only semi-synthetics in winter, because if you use synthetics, then if there is carbon deposits in the engine, then its detachment will quickly clog the oil filter and oil supply channels. This may lead to expensive repairs engine. You also have to take into account that our synthetics are not German Liqui Moly, and a surrogate.

Dmitry

In my Chevy Niva in winter I fill only Lukoil-Lux 5W-40 synthetics, 3 winters, oil from replacement to replacement, normal flight.

Vladimir

If you do not want to take risks and experiment, then pour what your manufacturer recommends. The same Honda and Toyota have their own oils and they are very good.
I recently poured Mobil-1 5w 50 and I can safely recommend it. It works great both in summer and winter. Never once have I had any problems. Tried another 5w 40 - I liked it too.

Kirill

Are there really drivers who change engine oil seasonally like tires? I use 5w-40 because it is recommended by the manufacturer, moreover, I fill in oil that comes under the Nissan KE90090042R brand, because I have a car of this brand. I've been pouring it for ten years now, there are no problems with a cold start, even in very coldy, more, in this sense, worried about the battery.

Kostya

I know at least 2 people who change the oil every 5-7 thousand along with the filter. But they love their cars very much and they have money.

I myself usually change when the car skated at least 10-15 thousand, and by the way, the oil is clean even after 15 thousand. I don’t have any special operating conditions, I don’t carry cargo, I just use it in the “home-work-shopping” format.

As for what to pour, I use 5w 40 for myself, and I consider LIQUI MOLY Synthoil High Tech to be ideal. If you want to buy something cheaper, then I advise you to pay attention to SHELL Helix Ultra. It is inexpensive, and the oil is really good, there are no problems with it.

Vladimir

Personally, I usually change the oil in the fall, i.e. closer to winter. I use only synthetic oil and I think that in winter you should not even fill in semi-synthetics, and even more so mineral water. Although it depends on the weather. We have colds down to minus 40. Well, of course, the information is very interesting, and especially for beginners. Moreover, there is a video with full instructions. detailed information

Arkady

I'm just one of those people who love their car and take care of it. I change the oil every 8-10 thousand kilometers, and although the operating conditions are not the most difficult, I feel that the car is thanking me.

Lil had a lot of different oils, from the simplest to the top ones, and now he settled on the MOBIL 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 option. I do not advise you to ride it for a long time, it will not last 15-20 thousand, as many people like to ride. Here 10 is the maximum. But it has a huge plus, in winter the car starts without problems at any temperature, and we often have -28 and below. And if on other oils my Honda started with difficulty (even on the one recommended by the manufacturer), then the engine seized immediately on this.

I can also advise Motul 8100 X-clean FE 5W30. The oil is really good, but expensive. If you take it in the long term, then Mobile is at least a little worse, but cheaper, and if you change it a little more often, it turns out to be profitable.

In general, I will say the following. You can pour even the cheapest oil, from a more or less normal manufacturer, just change it more often, don’t wait 12-14 thousand, change it after 8, it’s inexpensive, and you can change the filter every other time.

Love the car and it will always reciprocate)).

Igor Ch.

I change my oil during scheduled maintenance. Regardless of the season, every 15,000 km. The service fills in what is indicated in the instructions - 5w40. Otherwise it will void the warranty. Naturally, I do everything with the officials. I don’t top up in between, but I always carry a liter canister with me just in case. So far, this need has not arisen. But I roll back no more than 85,000 km, still under warranty, then I change the car. Since 2010 I have been driving only Hyundai.

Michael

The correct answer is any, but not the cheapest. Pour any 5w30 and I assure you, for 10 thousand mileage you will not see any difference between expensive and cheap. At first I also took the top ones, but what's the point? We do not have severe operating conditions, and if you do not live in the far north, then the car will start without problems. We rarely get below minus 15 in winter. The car is even plain oil starts with half a kick.

From the last thing I tried - ZIC X7 LS 5W-30. Very cheap and a good option. I traveled 9500 km and it was generally clean when it was replaced, but 4 liters cost about 1600 rubles, which I think is generally inexpensive.

Zakhar

I don’t understand people who buy a car and then start saving on it. If you are unable to serve normally, be prepared for expensive repairs - this rule always works.

I disagree with many here and believe that the ideal for winter is 0W30 or 10W40. This is due to the fact that it has a lower viscosity and it will be much easier to pump it in cold weather, which means that the chances of starting a car increase many times over.

We have severe winters and often -30 and even lower. Through trial and error, I found a good oil for myself - this is Ravenol Arctic Low SAPS ALS SAE 0W-30. The car can be easily started even at -35. It is perfectly pumped through the system and of course there are difficulties with starting, but it starts up the first time, which I have not observed with other oil. So there is definitely a difference in expensive and cheap oil, it all depends on the region where the car is operated.

If the winter is very mild, then I agree, then it doesn’t matter at all what to fill in the engine, especially if you maintain replacement intervals. I change every 9-11 thousand run and be sure to change all filters, including oil, cabin and air.

Also, do not forget to take some oil with you to top up and check its level, you can not always rely on electronics.

Stanislav

To facilitate starting the engine at low temperatures, on vehicles with mechanical box gears, there is such a technique as pressing the clutch pedal when starting the engine so that the input shaft and gears do not rotate in the thickened gear oil. I use engine oil with a viscosity of 5W40, as recommended by the manufacturer himself.

Anatoly

The main thing is to maintain the desired viscosity, and there already buy one that has enough money. This is the best rule.
If you bought a cheap one, then change it after 10 thousand. If the oil is expensive and of high quality and your car is unloaded, then 20 will pass normally.
I have a different relationship with the car. I don't drive them for more than 4-5 years, and during this time nothing will happen to the engine for sure.
I have not seen statistics anywhere, if you change after 7-8 thousand, and not after 20, then the engine passes not 300 thousand, but a million.
In cars that come to us from America, it feels like they don’t even change the oil every 100 thousand, and nothing, cars drive.

If you need cheap, try GENERAL MOTORS Dexos2 Longlife 5W30. Just change it in 10 thousand for sure.

Maksim

By the way, many have forgotten that the engines are also different, or rather, even their wear.
It's one thing to pour oil into new engine, and quite another - in worn out. My car has passed almost 250 thousand and I know what I'm talking about. Here, you definitely need to change the oil more often, and sometimes I change it after 8-9 thousand and pour it in a special one, which is intended for them. In principle, Shell Helix HX7 is very well suited. And it's also inexpensive.
If you have our old VAZ, then there is no point in pouring expensive oils, they will be no better than they are. Calmly pour Lukoil Lux 10W40 and you will not know grief, it generally costs less than a thousand rubles per 4 liters.

Very important correct oil pick up and if your car drives it normally, it makes no sense to try something expensive. You can even consult oil sellers, they are usually adequate. If the car has a high mileage, then normal oil perfectly protects the engine from wear and tear and you won’t have to make capital for a long time.

Before, I don’t remember such a distinction at all, but now you just say that you need oil for a car with high mileage. Well, I wrote a couple of quite successful options here.

You will change the oil normally, the engine will definitely be grateful to you.

In winter, when the air temperature is below zero, starting the engine is much more difficult. especially on diesel cars ah, it requires increased voltage of working systems and the patience of the driver. In order to make it easier to scroll the crankshaft, you need to clearly know what kind of oil to fill in the car engine for the winter.

First of all, when choosing a winter lubricant, you should refer to the manufacturer's recommendations. Each car is accompanied by an instruction manual in which the manufacturer clearly indicates which oil to pour into this model in winter (what brand and with what parameters). If, for some reason, the information is missing or the information in it is not relevant (for example, such brands are outdated and are no longer produced), the liquid will have to be selected based on the parameters and tolerances. If they are also outdated, and it is no longer possible to select a lubricant according to these criteria, then it is necessary to more carefully study the state of the chemistry market for cars, since you can only rely on yourself and your own knowledge. It’s worth clarifying in advance that you should not buy oil based on the seller’s hint or the reviews of friends. Unfortunately, an ordinary buyer cannot have confidence in the competence and honesty of dealers, and a friend may have a completely different car, so what suits him may be the worst option for your "swallow".

Types of engine oil by chemical composition

Initially, only mineral motor oil was used for cars. The name "mineral" speaks for itself - it means that the liquid is made from natural ingredients (oil). But mineral motor oil is categorically not suitable for the winter, especially in those places where the air temperature drops much below -10 degrees Celsius - it simply freezes in the engine.

Then synthetic motor oil was created by synthesizing molecules that provide more or less the same performance when changing operating temperatures.

There is another kind of semi-synthetic oil. This is a natural base with the addition of artificially created compounds.

Each type has its pros and cons. As mentioned above, a liquid with a mineral composition is not suitable for operation at low temperatures, but at the same time it cleans the engine of soot and sediment slowly and gradually, peeling off the “garbage” in small parts. Then, when replacing, it is simply output with processing.

Semi-synthetics are more resistant to temperature changes, but this oil is also not suitable for the engine for the winter, since the low temperature threshold is too high, if you look at the thermometer.

Synthetic fluid is the most popular, as it is designed for different temperatures (depending on the classification), but does not lose its working properties when the engine is heated or cooled, roughly speaking, synthetics "adjust". But if earlier low-quality or inappropriate lubricating “chemistry” was used in the engine, and it is covered with hardened sediment and soot from the inside, then when switching to high-quality synthetics, “garbage” can quickly peel off, as a result of which the oil channels and filter will be clogged. And after that, you will have to give the engine for repair, which is not at all cheap. Therefore, if it is not known what was filled in earlier and how many thousands of kilometers we drove without replacement, then it is better to first fill the engine with cleaning fluid, and only then new oil, and replace it more often for several subsequent cycles than recommended by the manufacturer.

Viscosity

When choosing which oil to fill in for the winter, first of all, you need to pay attention to viscosity - this is one of the most important indicators of the performance of a lubricating fluid.

The bottom line is that engine parts rub against each other at high speed during operation. Between them there must be an oil film, which, on the one hand, will reduce the friction force, and hence the heating and wear of parts, and on the other hand, will ensure tightness during friction (for example, in cylinders). If the engine oil is too thick in winter, that is, it will have an increased viscosity, then each movement will be difficult for the system, requiring an increase in effort, and the return will be low during hard engine operation. If the oil is too liquid, it will simply drain over the parts, without providing a layer between the pistons and cylinder walls, that is, during friction, the metal will be worn out and depleted.

Constantly changing. If the machine is stopped, the temperature will be equal to the ambient temperature. As the engine warms up before driving, the temperature rises slowly. When driving, it depends on the effort of the motor, it can rise and fall in the process. And here the question arises of which oil is better to use for the winter, if it thickens when cold, and becomes liquid when heated.

To provide comprehensive protection in cold weather at low temperatures, the oil must remain thin enough to make the engine easy to start and avoid oil starvation, and when the operating temperature rises, it must be thick enough to form an oil film.

by SAE

The American Society of Automotive Engineers created a classification that is now used around the world. We will talk about this further.

winter oil

Previously, the question of which oil is better to use for the winter did not even confront motorists. The answer was unequivocal - winter. According to the SAE classification, it was designated by the letter W after the digital value (winter - "winter"). The packaging said: SAE 0W or SAE 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W. The number in front of the W told the buyer what the lowest temperature the oil could withstand without harming the power unit. Before winter, the motorist necessarily produced on a suitable one for the weather conditions of his region, regardless of how much he rolled on the previous lubricant. Winter oil did not thicken at low temperatures, but became too thin if the air temperature rose.

summer oil

According to the SAE classification, summer oil was simply designated by a number (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40). It meant the upper temperature threshold at which the liquid can be used. The higher the air temperature in the summer in a given region, the more it was necessary to buy oil so that it remained sufficiently viscous in the heat.

All-weather oil

Recently, such types of lubrication as summer or winter oil have gone into oblivion, since all-weather oil is widely used. It is much easier to handle, it does not need to be replaced before each new season, looking for oil with a different classification of the same brand as the previous one. All-weather oil is indicated by two numbers and the letter W between them. The first figure indicates the "winter" indicators of the liquid (it depends on which oil to fill in for the winter), and the second - about the "summer". This universal lubricant, of course, has both upper and lower temperature thresholds, but everyone can choose exactly the oil that fits into the desired range. At the same time, in winter it will remain quite fluid, and in summer it will retain its viscosity.

Selection of oil according to SAE classification for a specific climate

• SAE 20W-40 - from -10 to +45;
• SAE 15W-40 - from -15 to +45;
• SAE 10W-40 - from -20 to +35;
• SAE 10W-30 - from -20 to +30;
• SAE 5W-40 - from -25 to +35;
• SAE 5W-30 - from -25 to +20;
• SAE 0W-40 - from -30 to +35;
• SAE 0W-30 - from -30 to +20.

As can be seen from the above list, 5W40 oil is perfect for residents of temperate latitudes in winter, as it can easily withstand low temperatures and will not leak when warming. They can be safely used all year round.

API engine oil classification

The American Fuel Institute has created another classification that should be considered when choosing oil for the winter. As a rule, this indicator indicates the quality of the lubricant. Manufacturers are not required to check their product according to API and place information about it on the label, but most often it is low-quality liquid that does not pass this procedure. Since every motorist tries to fill in the best oil for the winter, it is worth looking for a lubricant with this indicator.

There are two main notations in the API system. The letter S tells the buyer that this oil is only for gasoline engines, and the letter C says that the liquid can only be poured into a diesel engine. Sometimes on the packaging you can find a double designation that looks either like this - S ... / C ..., or like this - C ... / S ... In the first case, the oil is best suited petrol car, but the manufacturer allows its use in a diesel car, in the second case - vice versa.

Both the S classification and the C classification have additional parameters that are important when choosing which oil to pour for the winter.

For petrol engines

• SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF are obsolete classes that are no longer used. This is an oil that was suitable for engines from 1930-1989. release.
• SG - oil for engines manufactured since 1989. Protects the motor from carbon deposits and corrosion, as well as from oxidation.
• SH - oil for engines since 1994 of release. Improved protection against carbon deposits, corrosion and oxidation, reduces wear on parts. Suitable if grade SG or lower is recommended.
• SJ - oil for engines under 1996. It has all the previous qualities, improved anti-carbon complex, more accurate work in cold weather. Suitable if SH or lower is recommended.
• SL - oil for multi-valve and turbocharged engines manufactured since 2000. Increased quality control, suitable for motors that are recommended for class SJ and below.
• SM - oil for modern motors(since 2004). Improved protection against premature wear and carbon deposits. This engine oil is suitable for all engines where a lower grade lubricant is recommended. Today it is the best engine oil for the winter.

For diesel engines

• CA, CB, CC, CD, CE are obsolete classes.
• CF - for engines since 1990 with indirect injection. Contains additives to reduce carbon deposits, corrosion, oxidation and wear. Use with the recommended CD class is acceptable.
• CG - for engines after 1995 of release, which are subjected to increased loads. Car oil prevents the accumulation of soot and soot, oxidation and foaming.
• CH - oil for engines after 1998. It has all of the above qualities, but additionally meets exhaust gas toxicity standards.
• CI is a class adopted in 2002. The oil complies with all environmental standards, has a cleaning additive. Reduces the amount of soot and deposits, has increased fluidity. The best oil in the engine for the winter for new diesel engines.

The number 2 or 4 after the letter value indicates which engine - two-stroke or four-stroke - is suitable for lubrication.

ACEA engine oil classification

ACEA is an analogue of API, only European. The label, as a rule, indicates compliance with one of these classifications, but both can be found.

• The letter G indicates that the oil is suitable for a gasoline engine, and the numbers from 1 to 5 indicate its quality.
• The letters PD indicate that the oil is suitable for diesel engines. cars, numbers 1 and 2 indicate quality.
• The letter D with numbers from 1 to 5 means that the lubricant is designed for diesel truck engines.

What to do before winter

Before you think about what kind of oil to fill in for the winter, you need to make sure that the car is ready for increased loads and low temperatures. This is especially true for owners of diesel cars, who often have to leave their "swallow" in the parking lot or near the house and run to a public transport stop.

The most important thing and the very first thing is that the battery and starter must be in good working condition! If there are minimal problems with the battery in the fall, then in the winter they will appear before you in an enlarged size. After checking these components, you can move on to thinking about which oil to pour in winter, but this applies not only to engine oil, but also to transmission, lubricating fluid in the axle and power steering (if present). They also change antifreeze for winter options. In the first case, so that the water does not freeze in the system, and in the second, to ensure good visibility while driving.

Once you have decided which oil is best to fill in your engine in winter, you should go to storm auto chemical shops. Happy road!