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How should one choose motor oil for a car?
Release time:
2025-12-05 17:12
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【Summary Description】
When we usually talk about the maintenance of chillers, we often mention refrigerants, evaporators, condensers, and compressors, but we rarely mention the lubrication system. Is it because the lubrication system is not important?
Automotive engine oil has the functions of lubrication, sealing, cleaning, and heat dissipation. Maintenance and care for your beloved car cannot be separated from engine oil. So how should one choose engine oil to take care of their car? A friend of mine who works in car repair provided me with a professional answer.
What kind of lubricant is most suitable for your beloved car?
The most expensive is not necessarily the best. The quality of lubricant oil is primarily determined by the base oil. About 80% of lubricant oil is base oil, and only high-quality base oil can produce better lubricant oil, which helps reduce engine wear, extend its lifespan, and can also prolong the oil change interval, reduce the frequency and difficulty of maintenance and repairs. Therefore, when purchasing engine oil, it is essential to consider the base oil. Good base oil as a raw material has strong viscosity retention performance at high and low temperatures, can form a sufficient oil film on the engine surface, has excellent wear resistance, and ensures that the engine operates smoothly in extreme temperature environments.
Does the original factory oil need to be changed?
Although manufacturers need to consider factors such as cost, performance, and price, there must be a bottom line. Therefore, original factory oil generally has a high cost-performance ratio and can ensure that the vehicle reaches a basic ideal working state. In fact, a car is not necessarily best suited for the most expensive oil. The choice of 0W-30 or 5W-40 oil by manufacturers is the result of precise calculations by engineers and field tests. So if you change the oil, you should also do so based on the actual situation of the vehicle. Of course, if you live in the cold northeastern region, it is recommended to use 0W-20 oil. If you live in hot Hainan, then you should use 10W-40 oil. Therefore, changing the oil should also depend on the region where you live.
Should different oils be used in summer and winter?
In winter, everyone definitely needs to cover themselves with thick blankets, while in summer, you might not need any cover at all. Therefore, it is appropriate to change the oil according to the season, but this is not a must. This is similar to how not many people are willing to change to winter tires in winter. If you care about maintaining your vehicle, you can change the oil according to the season. If you find this too troublesome, you can also choose all-season oil, such as 0W-40.
Classification of engine oil?
Engine oil is generally divided into three categories: mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and fully synthetic oil.
Mineral oil has a low refining precision and a high flow point, which means it has poor low-temperature fluidity, making it unsuitable for use in cold regions.
Semi-synthetic oil is a product that has been purified from mineral oil using hydrogen cracking technology, with a purity very close to fully synthetic oil. It is an ideal transitional product from mineral oil to synthetic oil.
Fully synthetic oil is synthesized from various oils using chemical methods. The quality of this oil is better, and its performance is superior. You will notice the difference when using it: smoother cold starts; better fuel efficiency; longer oil change intervals; extended engine lifespan; reduced maintenance rates; this type of oil has excellent cleaning performance, so the engine cylinder is also cleaner.
