The weather can be unpredictable. Car drivers are increasingly faced with the need to fill universal type oil into the engine. It is intended for use in hot or cold periods. In order for the unit to work efficiently in both frost and heat, 0 W40 oil is used.
This consumable is produced by many large companies. The presented standard has a number of special characteristics. What features the presented oil has, it is necessary to consider in more detail.
general characteristics
0W40 engine oil is designed to protect the engine from abrasion and premature failure. It removes excess heat from friction mechanisms. This product also covers all metal surfaces with a thin film. It provides good sliding of the rubbing elements, prolonging their operation.
Also presented materials protect the motor from the formation of corrosion. They remove carbon deposits, dirt and soot from the engine system. These particles are suspended in oil. Over time, they accumulate. The grease changes its color to a dark, dirty shade. In this case, a replacement must be made. Otherwise, the grease will no longer be able to hold the dirt in itself. They will settle on metal surfaces, causing microscopic damage to parts.
The easy start of the engine in cold weather, as well as the absence of overheating in the summer period, depends on the right choice of engine oil. Previously, manufacturers supplied the market with oils designed exclusively for the warm or cold season. Today, vehicle owners are purchasing universal products. They are designed for use in both heat and frost.
For each specific operating condition, certain lubricants are suitable. The full operation of the motor, as well as its durability, depends on the correctness of their choice.
For the engine of your car you need to use only the oil recommended by the manufacturer. If you want to change the grease to another variety, you should choose a composition with a similar set of additives. Products from different manufacturers may conflict with each other. This causes abnormalities in the motor.
Viscosity index
One of the most important indicators of 0W40 oil, the characteristics of which are taken into account when choosing, is its viscosity class. Most often, this parameter is specified in accordance with the SAE (Community of Automotive Engineers) standard. It was this association that was the first to propose a classification of oils according to their viscosity class. She gives out only 6 winter and 5 summer greases.
In accordance with this technique, three types of viscosity are distinguished. There is winter, summer and all-weather oil. The first category has the letter “W” in its labeling. The number next to it indicates the acceptable limit at which the product is operated.
Summer greases do not have letters in the marking. They have only a number. It indicates the upper limit of viscosity. For universal formulations, first indicate the lower viscosity limit, and then the upper. 0W40 oil is quite fluid, which allows you to start the engine at very low temperatures. Its upper viscosity limit indicates the possibility of engine operation at high thermometer values.
In other words, the oil of the presented viscosity class is suitable for severe winters and hot summers. For the hot southern climate, it is necessary to purchase products with a high level of viscosity. This will keep a thin film of lubricant on the parts even in extreme heat.
Benefits
Engine oil 0W40, 5W40 is intended for use in the climatic conditions of our country. It withstands severe frosts. This is a fairly fluid lubricant. Thick varieties are intended for use at high temperatures. Under these conditions, the lubricant becomes more fluid and can completely fly off the mechanisms and parts. In this case, dry areas are formed, which during friction will be destroyed.
Oil of viscosity grade 0W40 can provide normal engine operation in winter at temperatures up to -40 º, and in summer - up to +35 º. This indicator also depends on the manufacturer. Each company uses a specific set of components for the manufacture of oil. Therefore, the main characteristics may vary slightly from manufacturers of different compositions.
However, the main advantages remain in each type of oil. This class of lubricants is manufactured in accordance with the highest requirements of world automotive equipment manufacturers. Such a product has good performance. It allows you to save gas mileage. High performance depends on the composition of the oil, as well as its additives.
Structure
Oil 0W40 is made according to a certain technology. All such products are conventionally divided into several categories according to the composition of the base. A special set of additives is added to it. The base may be mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic.
In the first embodiment, the oil is refined by distillation and refining. Such a basis is used for the manufacture of cheap varieties of oils that will need to be changed often enough. It is used for engine systems of the old model. For viscosity grade 0W40, the mineral base is not used in its pure form. It is combined with synthetics. This increases the cost of the product, but also improves its characteristics.
Synthetics are created on the basis of artificial components. Such products allow for high fluidity of the oil. Synthetics 0W40 ensures stable operation of the motor even at very low temperatures. The product has a low evaporation rate. This ensures the ability of the lubricant to perform its functions, even in the heat.
Synthetics are also resistant to oxidation and waxing. The listed characteristics can significantly extend the period of application of the oil. This kind of lubricant is the best suited for the busy conditions of the motor on the roads of big cities.
Semisynthetics combines the qualities of both varieties of lubricants. This basis is chosen for the manufacture of lubricants for medium engine loads.
Shell Oil
Experts conducted experiments on a variety of indicators that characterize popular motor oils. Such brands as Mobile, Castrol, Shell, etc. took part in the testing.
When conducting research in the winter, it was found that Shell 0W40 oil has approvals from almost all modern automotive equipment manufacturers. It provides excellent protection against various kinds of debris. There is no other oil in this category that would clean the engine so well. This is achieved thanks to a unique set of additives.
Due to its balanced viscosity characteristics , Shell 0W40 oil saves up to 1.9% more than other types of lubricants. It protects the moving elements from corrosion, wear. The highly scientific production formula allows the engine to be started even at the lowest temperatures.
The presented oil is designed for gasoline, diesel and gas engines. It is also used for engines that run on a biodiesel or gasoline-ethanol mixture.
Negative reviews include opinions about the high cost of such products (4 liters costs about 2200 rubles), and car owners also blame for frequent fakes.
Lukoil oil
Lukoil 0W40 engine oil also receives many positive reviews from motorists. This quality composition is made on a synthetic basis. Therefore, its cost is quite high (4 liters will cost about 1900 rubles.).
This product has excellent performance. According to expert reviews, the oil has good detergent qualities. It does not need to be changed often. It is ideally suited for high-load conditions of a big city. The engine starts in winter even at a temperature of -40 º. The motor at the same time works stably, efficiently. Its power is increasing.
The oil contains special additives that protect the car system from corrosion and destruction. Thanks to low burnup rates, reliable protection of all parts is ensured. Dirt and soot can remain in suspension for a long time.
Due to its special characteristics, this product is recommended for use by many car manufacturers. It is more suitable for new foreign cars. For old domestic cars, this product is not recommended.
Oil "Mobile 1"
Mobil 1 engine oil (0W40) is characterized by a fairly reasonable price. A standard 4 liter canister will cost about 1,700 rubles. It can be used for both foreign and domestic new cars.
During testing, it was found that the oil freezes at a temperature of -49 º. These viscosity characteristics allow you to start the engine in extreme cold. The technical characteristics laid down by the manufacturer in this product allow it to be used even in northern latitudes.
It is a universal lubricant. It allows you to provide a fairly good cooling system in a hot period.
The product shows good detergent qualities. However, when the engine was opened after testing on the pistons, a certain amount of soot was detected. At this price, users expect the best washing performance.
Motul oil
The Mobil 0W40 motor oil considered above is in many respects similar to a product of the same viscosity class called Motul. This lubricant is universal. It is suitable for use both at low temperatures (-48 º) and in heat.
The product is available in canisters of 5 liters. Their cost is about 2500 rubles. Reasonable cost makes the product popular among drivers. It can be poured into the motor of both foreign and domestic cars.
Its energy-saving and detergent qualities are also noted. In almost all areas of testing, this grease has shown good results. At high engine heating temperatures, the amount of deposits on the pistons is negligible. This makes the product popular, especially in busy traffic conditions on the roads of the metropolis.
Some drivers claim that the cost of the funds presented is high. However, the amount of oil in the canister will be greater than that of other manufacturers. In recalculation, the price for 4 liters of oil will be acceptable.
Castrol oil
European-made 0W40 Castrol oil is also known to domestic consumers. This product is available in 4 liter cans. The cost of consumables is about 1750 rubles.
At an affordable price, this tool has high performance. This oil freezes at a temperature of -52 º. This indicator is a record among those participating in the test lubricants. This indicates a high quality base.
An effective set of additives allows Castrol oil to provide a high-quality cleaning effect. After testing the product at high engine load, it was possible to observe the high purity of the pistons. Also, the presented tool protects the metal elements of the system from oxidation.
Many drivers choose this type of lubricant due to their reasonable cost and high European quality. However, with regard to energy saving, the presented product is slightly inferior to other participants in the test. This indicates a higher fuel consumption during engine operation.
Liqui Moly Oil
The most expensive among the considered products of well-known manufacturers was 0w40 Liqui Moly. It is sold in five liter cans. The cost of such a product is 2700 rubles. The manufacturer of the presented lubricants is Germany.
Liqui Moly has approvals for many major engineering concerns. Its performance remains at its best. The oil allows you to quickly start the engine at low temperatures. This provides a truly reliable lubrication of the rubbing mechanisms.
Also, the presented tool can significantly save fuel costs. The disadvantage is an insufficient level of detergent. A rather large amount of soot and soot is determined on the cylinders after the tests. Piston rings fail faster than when using other types of tools.
Liqui Moly is known for the longest period of aging. It can be operated long enough. The oil will not fade.
Having considered the features that characterize 0W40 oil , as well as the reviews of experts and experienced drivers, we can conclude that it is necessary to use a similar composition in the engine of your car.