PROFI-CAR Dictionary

Engine Oils 1 - General information

In an internal combustion engine, there are many parts that spin at high speeds or extremely quickly rub against other parts. Therefore, we urgently needed a lubricant, since the wear and overheating due to friction would otherwise destroy the engine in no time.

Engine oils are available in many varieties and qualities. Usually, you have the choice between the petroleum-derived mineral oil or the more expensive synthetic oil. It is important that the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer's minimum requirement. Typically, various types of oil to be mixed, the mixing of mineral and synthetic oil should be omitted but a precaution.

Basically, the following requirements are met:

It should protect seal ring gap between the piston and cylinders as well as corrosion, wear and deposits, and these include, therefore, increasingly dark coloration. It also provides an oil cooling for the engine oil cooler from inside by the heat transport to the sump or separate. Today's engine oils must be aging, therefore, be suitable for long oil change intervals. Moreover, the viscosity (fluidity) optimally be on cold or hot operation of the engine. Another requirement of the oil it is the combustion pressure from the piston on the connecting rod to the crankshaft to transfer.

Engine oils are classified in different viscosities and allocated according to degree of alloying additives or different classifications.
Common specifications for this example are ACEA and API.

A distinction is made among mineral, partly synthetic and fully synthetic engine oils.