What kind of oil should be poured into the engine for the winter?

In winter in sub-zero temperatures, starting the engine is much more difficult. Cold start, especially on diesel engines, requires increased voltage of the working systems and the patience of the driver. In order to make it easier to roll the crankshaft, you need to know clearly which oil to pour into the engine of the car for the winter.

Manufacturer's recommendations

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 cast in winter in this model (what brand and with what parameters). If, for some reason, the service book is missing or the information is not up-to-date (for example, such marks are obsolete and are no longer produced), the fluid will have to be selected based on the parameters and tolerances. If they are also obsolete, and you can not choose a lubricant by these criteria, then it is necessary to study the state of the chemistry market for cars more thoroughly, since you can count only on yourself and on your own knowledge. In advance it is necessary to specify that it is not necessary to buy oil, based on the seller's hint or the responses of acquaintances. Unfortunately, an ordinary buyer can not have confidence in the competence and honesty of traders, but a friend can have a completely different machine, so what is right for him, for your "swallow" may be the worst option.

Types of engine oil in 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 for the winter is absolutely not suitable, especially in those places where the air temperature drops much below -10 degrees Celsius - it just freezes in the engine.

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

There is still such a kind as semisynthetic oil. This is a natural base with the addition of artificially created compounds.

Each species has its own pluses and minuses. As already mentioned above, a liquid with a mineral composition is not suitable for operation at low temperatures, but it clears the engine of sludge and sediment slowly and gradually, peeling the "garbage" in small parts. Then, when you replace it, it is simply displayed with work off.

Semisynthetic has a greater resistance to temperature changes, but this oil in the engine for the winter is also not suitable, since the low-temperature threshold is too high, if you look at the column of the thermometer.

Synthetic fluid is 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 are "adjusted." But if earlier in the engine used poor quality or unsuitable lubrication "chemistry", and it is internally covered with hardened sediment and carbon deposits, then when switching to high-quality synthetic materials, a rapid detachment of "debris" can occur, as a result of which the oil channels and filter will be clogged. And after that, you have to give the engine for repairs, which is not at all cheap. Therefore, if you do not know what was poured earlier and how many thousands of kilometers you traveled without replacement, it is better to fill the engine with a cleaning fluid first, and then a new oil, and several subsequent cycles to make a replacement more often than recommended by the manufacturer.

Viscosity

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

The bottom line is that the engine parts are rubbing against each other at high speed during work. Between them, there must necessarily be an oil film, which, on the one hand, will reduce the frictional force, which means heating and deterioration of the parts, and on the other hand, it will provide a leakproofness in friction (for example, in cylinders). If the engine oil in winter is too thick, that is, will have increased viscosity, then the system will not be given every movement with difficulty, demanding an increase in force, and with hard engine performance, the recoil will be low. If the oil is too liquid, it will simply drain on the parts, not providing a layer between the pistons and the walls of the cylinders, that is, when rubbing the metal will wear off and deplete.

The operating temperature of the engine is constantly changing. If the machine is standing, the temperature will be equal to the ambient temperature. When the engine warms up before driving, the temperature rises slowly. When driving, it depends on the motor's effort, can rise and fall in the process. And then the question arises as to which oil is better for winter use, if it becomes thicker in the cold state, and becomes liquid when heated.

In order to provide comprehensive protection in the cold season at low temperatures, the oil must remain sufficiently liquid to facilitate the engine's easy start and avoid oil starvation, and if the operating temperature increases, it must be thick enough to create an oil film.

SAE engine oil classification

The American Society of Automotive Engineers has created a classification of the viscosity of oil, which is now used throughout the world. Let's talk about this later.

Winter oil

Previously, the question of which oil is better for winter use, did not even stand in front of motorists. The answer was unequivocal - winter. According to SAE classification, it was designated by the letter W after the digital value (winter - "winter"). The packaging indicated SAE 0W or SAE 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W. The figure before W told the buyer about what the lowest temperature can withstand oil, without harming the power unit. Before winter, the motorist necessarily made the replacement of oil for the weather conditions of his region, regardless of how much it rolled on the previous lubricant. Winter oil does not thicken at low temperatures, but it becomes too liquid if the air temperature rises.

Summer oil

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

Multigrade oil

Recently, such types of lubricants, such as summer or winter oil, have gone into oblivion, since all-season oil is universally used. It is much easier to handle, it is not necessary to make it mandatory replacement before each new season, looking for oil with a different classification of the same brand as the previous one. The multigrade oil is denoted by two digits and the letter W between them. The first figure says about the "winter" indicators of the liquid (it depends on which oil to pour in the winter), and the second - about the "summer". This universal grease, of course, has both the upper and lower temperature thresholds, but everyone can choose exactly the oil that will fit in the desired range. In winter, it will remain quite fluid, and in the summer it will retain its viscosity.

Selection of oil according to SAE classification for a certain 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 you can see from the list below, for inhabitants of temperate latitudes the oil 5W40 in winter will perfectly suit, as it will easily withstand a low temperature and will not flow with warming. They can be fearlessly used all year round.

Classification of engine oil by API

The American Institute of Fuel has created yet another classification, which should be taken into account when selecting oils for winter. As a rule, this indicator indicates the quality of the lubricant. Manufacturers do not have to check their product on the API and post information about it on the label, but most often it's the low-quality liquid that does not go through this procedure. Since every motorist is trying to fill 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 letter C says that the liquid can be poured only into the diesel engine. Sometimes on the packaging you can find a double sign that looks either like this ... S ... / C ... or so - C ... / S ... In the first case, oil is best for a gasoline car, but the manufacturer allows its use in a diesel car, in the second case - On the contrary.

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

For gasoline engines

• SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF are obsolete classes that are no longer used. This oil, which was suitable for engines 1930-1989. Release.
• SG - oil for engines produced 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 from carbon deposits, corrosion and oxidation, reduces wear of parts. Suitable if SG class is recommended and below.
• SJ - oil for engines younger than 1996. It has all the previous qualities, an improved anti-nag complex, more precise work in cold weather. Suitable if SH is recommended and below.
• SL - oil for multivalve and turbocharged engines, produced since 2000. Improved quality control, suitable for motors that are recommended class SJ and below.
• SM - oil for modern engines (since 2004). Improved protection against premature wear and build-up of deposits. This engine oil is suitable for all engines that are recommended for lubrication in the class below. Today this is the best motor oil for the winter.

For diesel engines

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

The figure 2 or 4 after the letter value indicates which engine - two-stroke or four-stroke - the grease is suitable.

Classification of engine oil by ACEA

ACEA is an analogue API, only European. The label, as a rule, indicates information about the compliance of any one of these classifications, but you can meet both.

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

What you need to do before winter

Before you think about what oil should be poured for the winter, you need to make sure that the car is ready for increased loads and low temperatures. Especially it concerns the owners of diesel cars, which often have to throw their "swallow" in the parking lot or near the house and run to the public transport stop.

The most important thing and the very first thing - the battery and the starter should be in good working order! If there are minimal problems with the battery in the fall, then in the winter they will appear in front of you in an increased size. After checking these components, you can proceed to thinking about what kind of oil to cast in the winter, but this applies not only to the engine oil, but also the transmission, lubricating fluid to the bridge and the hydraulic booster (if present). Antifreeze and washer fluid are also changed for winter versions . In the first case - that the water does not freeze in the system, and in the second - to ensure a good visibility during the movement.

Only by deciding what kind of oil it is better to pour in winter into your engine, you should go storm shops with auto chemistry. Lucky road!