![]() Introduced 2001, all new engine tests reflective of modern engine designs meeting current emissions standards Introduced 1996 has the same engine tests as SG/SH, but phosphorus limit 0.10% together with variation on volatility limits Introduced 1993 has same engine tests as SG, but includes phosphorus limit 0.12%, together with control of foam, volatility and shear stability Introduced 1989 has much more active dispersant to combat black sludge The following table shows how up to date the specifications the oil are: S = Petrol and C = Diesel, most oils carry both petrol (S) and diesel (C) specifications. This is the more basic as it is split (for passenger cars) into two catagories. There are two specifications that you should look for on any oil bottle and these are API (American Petroleum Institute]) and ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Europeens d’Automobiles) all good oils should contain both of these and an understanding of what they mean is important. Specifications are important as these indicate the performance of the oil and whether they have met or passed the latest tests or whether the formulation is effectively obsolete or out of date. Viscosity link on Wikipedia Specifications Your handbook will specify whether a 30, 40 or 50 etc is required. Once again the lower the number the thinner the oil, a 30 oil is thinner than a 40 oil at 100 degC etc. This is a fixed limit and all oils that end in 40 must achieve these limits. ![]() ![]() The 40 in a 10w-40 simply means that the oil must fall within certain viscosity limits at 100 degC. The lower the “W” number the better the oils cold temperature/cold start performance. In a 10w-40 for example the 10w bit (W = winter, not weight or watt or anything else for that matter) simply means that the oil must have a certain maximum viscosity/flow at low temperature. Multigrades were first developed some 50 years ago to avoid the old routine of using a thinner oil in winter and a thicker oil in summer. Most oils on the shelves today are Multigrades, which simply means that the oil falls into 2 viscosity grades (i.e. You would not for example put an Automatic Transmission Oil or a Gear Oil in your engine! It is important to know what the oils intended purpose is. So, what does the above information mean and why is it important?Īll oils are intended for an application and in general are not interchangeable. Ignore the marketing blurb on the label it is in many cases meaningless and I will explain later what statements you should treat this with some scepticism The OEM Approvals that it carries and the codes (i.e.The specifications that it meets (should contain both API and ACEA ratings).10w-40, 5w-30 etc for Motor oils and 80w-90, 75w-90 etc for Gear oils) The purpose for which it is intended (i.e.To be blunt about the subject, if a bottle of oil does not contain the following basic information then DO NOT buy it look for something that does! This post may seem like going back to basics but I am constantly surprised by the amount of people who do not know or understand what is written on a bottle of oil and therefore no idea of what they are buying/using. What’s written on your oil bottle and what does it mean?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |