Lubricants are vital to the correct operation of your engine :

• cooling engine hot spots and moving parts,
• ensuring that engine parts remain clean,
• ensuring leak tightness between engine parts,
• protecting the inner surfaces of the engine against corrosion,

Additives bring their help too; detergent and dispersant additives, and the additives that protect against corrosion.

A good quality oil provides motorists with a number of benefits :

• easier cold start and reduced wear (20 to 30 % of engine wear occurs between startup and the time the engine reaches optimal temperature),
• longer engine life,
• fuel savings as a result of reduced friction of moving parts and better engine performance.

Semi-synthetic and synthetic oils are made from non-conventional bases using sophisticated chemical processes which confer special properties to the finished product. First, the high level of viscosity of the base oils used gives the finished lubricant remarkably stable viscosity whatever the temperature. This property is one of its major advantages over mineral oils made from conventional bases which require a greater number of additives in order to improve viscosity. The stability of lubrication in all temperatures guarantees optimum efficacy in the cold starting phase which is particularly demanding on the engine as well as under conditions of extreme heat. Synthetic-based lubricants show greater resistance to oxidation which gives them longer effective life guaranteeing longer engine life. The use of non-conventional bases permits the elaboration of more fluid lubricants without being more volatile; resulting in a reduction of oil consumption.

Therefore, choosing a synthetic based oil is the technologically advanced choice, for greater efficacy, longevity and controlled oil consumption.

A multigrade oil is one whose properties have been artificially modified to reduce change in its viscosity with temperature change. A multigrade oil will be more fluid at low temperatures and thicker at high temperatures than a monograde oil.

Concretely, that means that

• when the vehicle is not being used (for several hours), the engine oil sinks in the crankcase so that, on starting, it takes a certain amount of time (a few microseconds) to again reach all parts of the engine that need to be lubricated. Since a multigrade oil is more fluid at low temperatures, it reaches the various engine components more quickly than a monograde oil, thereby reducing wear on starting.
• Multigrade oil allow "saving fuel" around 1.5% to 3% then monograde oil

Multigrade oils provide better engine protection at low and high temperatures than monograde oils, in that they maintain optimum viscosity over the engine operating temperature range.

In order to fulfil the lubrication and shaft cooling needs of the turbo-compressor oil must answer to very strict criteria. The shaft reaches a very high temperature due to the proximity of the exhaust gasses at very high temperature. Oil must lubricate the shaft continuously otherwise the high temperatures would permanently damage it and the temperature would then very rapidly reach very high levels.

These conditions mean the oil has to offer considerable detergent property, an important resistance to oxidisation and deposit formation, but especially it needs avery high a thermic stability. The use of SYNTHETIC oils is therefore the most recommended solution in these conditions. Turbo-compressors are characteristic of the diesel engines, as it is very easy for petrol engines to reach the same power level by other means such as electronic injection and cylinder head multi-valves, etc.

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This challenge has been met by the CATALYTIC CONVERTER whose role is to complete the combustion of the exhaust gas just before they escape into the atmosphere. In order to respect the environment oils must offer a high lubrication property, better detergent and dispersant properties as well as a low sulphur and phosphorous content. These properties are essential for oils that will be used in vehicles equipped with catalytic converters. The use of a non adapted oil can damage the catalytic converter. Synthetic lubricants are highly recommended because of the intrinsic properties of their base.

The oil change is an essential operation in maintaining a vehicle in top condition :

• Because lubricants collect particles of internal and external pollution (carbonic matter, particles of worn metal)
• Because an oil's efficacy diminishes because of : - dilution by water and fuel, - oxidation, - the consumption of additives, - shearing

• Refer to your handbook and or speak to the manufacturer to be sure there are great differences between car types.
• The frequency recommended by the manufacturer may be modified according to: - The lubricant used, - Vehicle use (country, city, highway), - Thermal and mechanical requirements.
• Never drive with an oil level below the minimum mark on the dipstick Below this mark there is not enough oil, thus causing more rapid circulation of the fluid and accelerated wear on the oil.
• It is recommended to check the level regularly every 1,000 km and especially before a long trip.

Please take a look at the 4WheelPlay article covering just this matter:

Go to Articles, then Engine Oil, there is a full tutorial there. If you require advise regarding a particular model, give us a call.