How important are the specifications in car lubricants

Engine lubrication has always played an important role in the maintenance of a car, as it prevents wear from contact with metals and overheating due to friction. Each manufacturer offers lubricants with specific specifications. When the lubricant has been used for more kilometers than has been produced, then it does not provide adequate protection. Thus changes in lubricants at specific kilometers or at regular intervals are necessary. It is the driver’s responsibility to check the lubricant level regularly and to top up each time it is below the permissible level.

There are gasoline and diesel engines. They use different types of lubricants that vary in composition and density. All lubricants on their packaging indicate four numbers and a “W” with a hyphen in between. For example 10W-40 or 5W-30. The newer the engine, the finer the oil it uses, as there is no large gap between the metals.

In recent years many lubricants use additives that allow them to change density depending on the engine temperature. In the first issue, the letter “W” from the word “winter” indicates how much the cold weather will affect the oil yield. When the temperature is higher, the oil performs differently and this is reflected in the second number.

At the same time there are different specifications. Gasoline vehicles use “ACEA” specifications such as A1 for fuel economy, A3 for high efficiency and / or extended drainage, A5 for fuel economy with extensive drainage capability. There are also “longlife” which allow the owners, according to the specifications given by the manufacturers, to change lubricants every two years or 30,000 kilometers.

Diesel engines need a different oil than gasoline engines, especially if they have a particulate filter (DPF). In the manual the specification B1 is for fuel economy, B3 for high efficiency and / or extensive drainage, B4 for direct injection diesel engines and B5 for fuel economy with extended drainage capability. SAPS stands for “Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous and Sulfur” (Sulfur Ash, Phosphorus and Sulfur), meaning substances that can accumulate in the DPF filter. In this case we use: C1 for low SAPS (0.5% ash) and fuel savings, C2 for medium SAPS (0.8% ash) and fuel savings and C3 for medium SAPS (0.8% ash) for lower savings and better performance.

On the other hand, there are synthetic lubricants that are more advanced and more expensive, as well as semi-synthetic, which combine synthetics and mineral oils and are less expensive.

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