Car Engine Oil Is Responsible For Cooling And Lubricating The Propulsion In Various Operating Conditions. It Plays An Important Role In Increasing The Life Of The Propulsion And Preventing It From Malfunctioning.
We review the types of engine oil, the benefits, and how to change the engine oil and related items.
Whenever your car’s propulsion is active and on, the by-products of combustion begin to contaminate the engine oil. If these contaminants accumulate, they can settle in sludge and sediment in parts of the propulsion system that are difficult to clean.
The use of poor-quality engine oil or neglect to change the engine oil at regular intervals can also lead to the formation of these sticky sludges.
If the components inside the propulsion system and the oil travel paths are contaminated, the performance, efficiency as well as fuel consumption of the vehicle may be affected.
In addition, sticky deposits trap heat inside the propulsion system, which causes inefficiency and adds extra load to the propulsion system.
The titles you will read in this article
What is engine oil?
Types of engine oils
Benefits of engine oil
Engine oil change time
Engine oil change
Engine oil suction
The best Iranian engine oil
The best foreign engine oil
Engine oil prices
What is engine oil?
Each engine oil consists of two distinct components: the first component is the main oil base, and the second component is the additives added to the main composition to obtain the final product. The main difference between conventional and synthetic engine oils is their base composition. The base composition in conventional engine oils is obtained from crude oil; While the base composition of synthetic oils is manufactured chemical compounds. This completely different construction has resulted in superior properties in synthetic oils.
To understand the superior properties of synthetic oils, we must first become familiar with the basic functions of engine oils. Oils have two main functions: lubrication and cooling. In the lubrication section, a layer of oil covers the surface of the various propulsion components to prevent the components from rubbing against each other. In this section, the thickness of the oil layer is critical, and this layer should not be too thin or too thick. The thickness of this layer is highly dependent on the operating temperature of the propulsion, which is due to the properties of the oil components. To cool and lubricate the car’s propulsion, the oil needs to flow through the various components.
Proper oil flow is a function of one of the main properties of the oil, namely viscosity. The higher the viscosity, the higher the viscosity and the lower the oil flow, and as the viscosity decreases, the slipperiness and oil flow both increases. Keep in mind that high slipperiness prevents a properly thick layer of oil on the engine components. Viscosity is also a function of temperature, and its value may change greatly with small temperature changes. The less the viscosity of the engine oil reacts to temperature changes, the more suitable that oil is.
Engine oil is produced in two types of oil, base and synthetic. Oils are usually a combination of different chemical formulas, such as hydrocarbons, poly internal olefins, and polyalfa olefins. One of the important physical characteristics of oils is their viscosity or viscosity. The engine oil should be thick enough to cover the surfaces well and fluid enough to pass through grooves and narrow tubes easily. The viscosity of oils is a function of temperature. In most oils, the viscosity decreases with increasing temperature, and the viscosity increases with decreasing temperature. For this reason, the oil used in the propulsion system must have a good performance in a wide range of temperatures so as not to have problems in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.
Most cars on the market use petroleum-based oils; But the oil suitable for more up-to-date cars, especially sports cars, is synthetic oils. If you change the engine oil without knowing the car manufacturer’s offer and the type of oil compatible with it, you will most likely have a problem with your car’s propulsion. The fact is that synthetic oils are only suitable for engines specifically designed to work with this type of oil. One of the most common problems that this can cause for the propulsion system is oil burning and observing blue smoke coming out of the exhaust.
In fact, the reason for the superiority of synthetic oils over conventional oils is summed up in their viscosity properties. For this reason, one of the most common simple tests is to cool the oils to shallow temperatures (about 30 to 40 degrees Celsius below zero) and compare their viscosity. Synthetic oils have always performed brilliantly. The reason for this optimal performance must seek in the molecules of such oils. In other words, synthetic oils have a more uniform molecular structure (like marble) that allows molecules to slide easily together; Ordinary oil molecules, on the other hand, can be likened to dice that have difficulty sliding on top of each other.
According to research, 60% of car propulsion defects occur when the air temperature is low, and the driver turns on the car. If the engine oil is not suitable, it will not be able to lubricate well, and a thick layer of oil formed by the cold on the engine components will damage the propulsion at the start.
Of course, the high cost of synthetic oils is their biggest drawback, which can ignore despite the benefits, such as reducing fuel consumption and extending the life of propulsion components, and not creating fuel in the propulsion system.
If you have ever looked at an engine oil container, you must have noticed the numbers printed on it. These numbers indicate the grade of oil, and through it, you can choose the right oil for your engine. The grade of oils is determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, from which the letters SAE in the grade of the oil are derived.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) expresses the grade of each oil by two numbers: the first number indicates the viscosity at low temperature, and the second number indicates the viscosity at high temperature (usually the average propulsion operating temperature). For example, the word SAE 10W-40 is engraved on the oil pan. 10W states that the viscosity of this oil is equal to ten at low temperature and forty at high temperature.
Grade oil classification starts at zero and increases at intervals of five to ten. For example, you may have seen oils in grades 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 60. After the numbers 0, 5, 10, 15, or 25, the letter W indicates winter. The smaller the number before the letter W, the better the oil flows at lower temperatures or, to put it better, the lower the viscosity.
In terms of viscosity, oils are divided into two categories:
- Monograde oil
- Multigrade oil
An oil marked with only one number (for example, 10) is called single-grade oil, and oil marked with several numbers (for example, SAE 10W-40) is called multi-grade oil. The use of four-season oils in today’s cars is common. In the composition of these oils, some additives allow them to work well in a wider range of temperatures. The use of these oils eliminates the need for the car owner to change the oil by changing the season.
Oils containing additives
Some engine oil manufacturers have added oils to their product portfolio that contain various chemical compounds to clean internal propulsion components and prevent corrosion and neutralization of acidic compounds.
For example, until 1970, molybdenum disulfide in engine oils to reduce friction and corrosion was common. In addition, in the past, due to the presence of lead in fuels, the use of oils containing compounds on zinc was common. However, the improving role of many additives is still not scientifically proven and maybe the only marketing strategy of manufacturers to sell more products.
Types of engine oils
If you’ve ever been to an oil refinery in your city and checked out the engine oil racks, you may have been shocked or even surprised by the number of different choices. There are different brands, different quantities, different weights, and even different types of engine oil. How do you know which of these engine oils is right for your car?
In fact, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. If you look in your car’s owner’s manual, you will find out what kind of engine oil is needed for the car, how often you have to change it, and how much oil you have to pour into the engine each time you use it. These are all important numbers to know, But your car’s owner’s manual may not have mentioned this. Perhaps the most important thing in such a situation is to choose a new engine oil; Because it can have a significant impact on the propulsion health of your car.
Are all oils the same? If we want to answer briefly, they are not the same at all. In the following, we will review the types of engine oils and the benefits of different types of engine oils and related items. In general, there are four different types of engine oil in terms of production method:
1. Mineral or mineral oil
Mineral oils are formulated in a variety of viscosities and quality levels. These oils are recommended for cars with a simple propulsion design and drivers with a typical driving style. Drivers with various driving styles are advised to use synthetic or synthetic oils; Because they have a longer life and the oil drain distance is long!
Mineral or mineral, or ordinary motor oil is produced from crude oil extracted from the ground and then refined in the factory. Various additives and processes are performed to improve the viscosity and protective properties of the propulsion and then packaged and sold to customers for use in the propulsion of the vehicle.
Mineral engine oil has positive and negative properties, which we will mention below. The biggest advantage of this type of engine oil is the cost. Mineral engine oil is a very inexpensive option to protect your car’s propulsion and keep it running smoothly. This engine oil is somewhat effective, and it can be said that there is no bad engine oil on the market these days. As long as you know the right amount and amount of engine oil to pour into the propulsion system, you can expect good performance from the car.
However, the disadvantages of this radical proposal are small. Due to the presence of natural ingredients, these oils tend to be less refined. In addition, they have less protection than other types; For this reason, they can not prevent possible damage to the propulsion.
2. Synthetic or synthetic oils
Synthetic or synthetic oils are chemically engineered; Therefore, oil molecules are more uniform in shape and have fewer impurities and better properties than mineral oils. Because synthetic oils are formulated with better performance additives, they perform better in the most extreme temperature conditions, both high and low.
Synthetic or completely synthetic engine oil is produced entirely in a factory or laboratory; For this reason, they tend to be much more compatible with the car’s propulsion. It is easier to control production processes when all materials have much stricter standards. Therefore, synthetic engine oils are more refined and are generally better for propulsion.
This literally costs money. All-synthetic engine oil is more expensive than regular oil. In general, you can expect to pay a lot of money to change the oil, depending on the type of car and its capacity, if you use completely synthetic oil. Synthetic oils have a longer shelf life and take longer and longer than conventional oils to require replacement.
3. Semi-synthetic or semi-synthetic oils
Semi-synthetic oils use a combination of synthetic and mineral oils for greater oxidation resistance compared to mineral oils while providing excellent low-temperature properties for your car’s propulsion system.
Combined oils or semi-synthetic engine oils are oils that are made from natural and synthetic materials. In other words, it is a combination of natural and synthetic oils that try to have some of the advantages of both and at the same time reduce their disadvantages.
The results are almost what you expect: these oils offer better protection and performance than regular engine oils; But not as well as completely synthetic engine oil. They last a little longer than regular oils; But not as much as synthetic engine oil. In terms of cost, they are slightly more expensive than mineral engine oil and less expensive than synthetic engine oil. In general, this engine oil is suitable for those who want to reduce costs; But they also want to help the car more.
4. Oil for high-performance cars
High-performance car oils are designed for older cars or new cars with more than 100,000 km mileage. These oils help reduce engine oil burning and prevent oil leakage with a special combination of additives and formulations. Always follow the instructions in your vehicle manual to determine the correct engine oil specifications, viscosity, and oil discharge interval or distance for your car’s propulsion system.
High-performance car engine oil has unique additives designed to protect the propulsion seal, which helps prevent oil evaporation and improves overall propulsion performance. This extra protection is essential for high-performance vehicles; Because burning oil causes a little problem and causes more propulsion wear and shortens its life. If you drive a car with more than 75,000 miles, it is highly recommended to use such oil.
Benefits of engine oil
The car propulsion system has a lot of moving parts that are in contact with each other. As you probably know, whenever the surface of two moving objects is in contact with each other, their surfaces become corroded and worn due to the force of friction and increasing the temperature of the two objects. In addition, the frictional force may cause energy loss in the propulsion system. In this situation, the best and most effective way to prevent wear and tear and increase temperature and energy loss is to use lubricants.
Engine oil is known as one of the types of liquid lubricants in-car propulsion. This oil is pumped to the vital parts through the lubrication system installed in the propulsion system to perform its tasks in the best way. The most important functions and benefits of using engine oil and lubrication system in car propulsion are:
- Minimize power loss due to friction between moving parts
- Reduce wear and corrosion of surfaces and parts
- Propulsion cooling
- Reduce propulsive vibrations
- Cleaning of propulsion parts
- Assist in sealing the piston ring to prevent gas leakage into the cylinder
Engine oil change time
Oil changes usually say that the right time to change the engine oil is once every fifty thousand kilometers or once every three months (whichever comes first). We must say that it is the right word; But not for all cars! The technology of making the engine and how to drive the car, and even the type of engine oil used is fundamental in determining the appropriate time to change the car engine oil; For example, some automakers consider every 50,000 kilometers to be equivalent to every six months; But others believe that the engine oil should change every twelve thousand kilometers or every year.
As mentioned, propulsion technology is also important in determining the proper time to change engine oil. For example, engines that use a turbocharged system may need to change engine oil sooner than other naturally aspirated engines. Even the type of fuel can be effective in determining when to change a car engine oil. Diesel engines, for example, usually require a change of engine oil over a longer period of time (compared to gasoline engines).
So what is the best time to change the engine oil? Our answer is clear: the best time to change car oil, also known as the “golden time to change the engine oil,” is exactly what is stated in the car’s owner’s manual. So do not listen to non-experts and change the engine oil according to the car manual.
How to change engine oil
To change the engine oil, turn off the car engine and park the car on a flat, non-sloping surface, making sure the engine is off for at least five minutes. Remove the oil gauge or level rod and clean it. Open the car’s hood, remove the oil level bar, and wipe the oil on it with a clean cloth. At this point, you should check the oil level inside the propellant cartridge. Gently insert the level bar into the tank to the end and pull it out again. The oil level should be level (between minimum and maximum) between the marked bar lines. If the oil level is close to the mark below the bar, you will need to increase the car engine oil.
Now it’s time to add the oil. To do this, remove the drive cover. Pour some oil and wait for it to reach the lower end of the propulsion inside the cartel. Then recheck the oil level. Be careful not to spill too much oil.
Why should we evaluate the oil level?
Oil for propulsion is like blood for the human body, which cannot function without engine oil. Engine oil is like a cushion that sits between the moving parts of a propulsion system; Because it prevents them from colliding with each other and prevents them from being worn or torn.
Today’s engines consume about one liter of oil per 50,000 kilometers; Therefore, it is necessary to measure the engine oil level and increase it if necessary. The best time to do this is every month before you go on long trips.
Engine oil suction
There is an old and outdated method of sucking engine oil, which is engine cartridge screws; But today, in well-equipped and equipped repair shops, oil suction devices are common. The oil suction mechanism creates a vacuum with the wind and finally sucks the oil from the end of the car engine oil tank, through which the oil suction operation is performed easily and without the need to unscrew the cartel screw.
The advantages of using an engine oil suction device are:
- By the standard of the world today, there is no need for a hole
- The car park environment is clean, considering that some cartels are damaged and uneven, have oil leaks and are further damaged by unscrewing the cartel screws.
- Perform suction and discharge of oil from the car engine
- Clean the place and do not spill burnt oil in the repair shop
- Measure the oil completely and make sure the oil is reduced
- Observe the drained, burnt oil and show the health status of the vehicle in the field of not mixing the oil with water or other substances
- Unscrew the cartel screw
- Easy to use for draining old car oils
The best Iranian engine oil
The following three factors are important in choosing engine oil:
- Viscosity index or SAE
- API index
- Method of making engine oil: mineral, semi-synthetic, synthetic
We have two options to find the highest quality engine oil on the market: Iranian and foreign. A Shell, Total, Castrol, Lycomoli, and… are on top motor oil brands globally. Still, experience and expert force have caused Iranian engine oils to meet all international standards and be among the quality engine oils available in the market.
Production of petroleum products, including motor oil, in Iran, has a history of more than fifty. The existence of resources and specialized people, and equipped laboratories have made these products achieve the latest domestic and foreign standards. We also have different options for choosing the best brand of Iranian engine oil. In the list of the best Iranian and foreign engine oil brands, we examine four options from each.
Behran Oil Company (Behran) is one of the oldest oil companies in Iran and has been working in the research and production of petroleum products for more than fifty years. Behran Company operated under the name of Behran Oil Refining until 1370. Thanks to its long history in the lubricants and petroleum products market, this company has become one of the major and reputable brands of Iranian motor oil. This long history and desirable quality of products have made Behran a stable position in the list of the best Iranian motor oil brands.
Today, Behran Company produces lubricants for gasoline and diesel vehicles, industrial oils, paraffin, greases, car, and industrial types of antifreeze, fuel additives, and other complementary products. Behran Company has more than half of the market share of automotive lubricants and more than one-third of the market share of industrial oils. Among the products of this company in the market, we can mention Taktaz, Rakhsh, and Super Rana engine oils.
Sepahan Oil Refinery started operating in 1992 as one of the refineries in Isfahan. In 2002, this refinery unit was transferred to Sepahan Oil Company (Private Joint Stock Company). Sepahan Oil Company, from the beginning of its establishment, in parallel with the production of diesel and gasoline engine oils, exported the extra production base oil and slag wax by estimating the domestic demand capacity. Speedy Company is one of the basic oil companies of Sepahan, which produces various types of engine oils, gearbox oils, motorcycle oils, etc.
According to Sepahan Oil Company, Speedy is the largest and most modern producer of base oils in the Middle East. The volume of production and the impressive quality of the products have made Speedy one of the best brands of Iranian motor oil. In motor oils, Speedy has produced various types of oils for gasoline, diesel, dual-fuel, special engines (generators, tractors, and locomotives), and two-stroke engines. Among the products of this company in the market, we can mention Platinum and Golden engine oils.
Iranol Oil Company, whose main activity is in motor oil, grease, and lubricant, was established in 2002 to transfer Tehran and Abadan refineries to the private sector. Iranol currently produces oil for a variety of diesel and gasoline engines, dual-fuel, and motorcycles. The quality of the products and their variety have made Iranol one of the best brands of Iranian motor oil.
Also, marine propulsion oil (boats), grease, antifreeze, and anti-boiling are other products of Iranol. Among the products of this company in the market, we can mention Racing and Ronia engine oils.
Azar Ravanasaz Company, which has more than fifty years of experience producing petroleum products, with engineers from Germany, Turkey, Canada, and Iran, has produced lubricants called Petronol compliant with international standards. Equipped laboratories and the achievement of international standards have made Petronol special among the best brands of Iranian motor oil.
Petronol, which has exported various lubricants to European and Asian countries, currently produces gasoline and diesel engine oils, hydraulic oils, industrial oils, greases, oil additives, and antifreeze. Among the products of this company in the market, we can mention Full Gold and Full Max engine oils.
The best foreign engine oil
We have many options to introduce the best brand of foreign engine oil. Shell, Total, Lycomoli, Castrol, A, Valvoline, Quaker State, Havoline, and… are some of the best motor oil brands in the world. However, considering that not all of these brands are present in Iran, we only examine the most reputable foreign engine oil producers found in Iran.
The French company Total, founded by Ernest Mercier in 1924, is now the world’s fourth-largest oil and gas company and the eighth largest. This company is so big that it can not include the best foreign engine oil brands. The company has more than forty branches and a total of about 95,000 employees worldwide.
The main fuel distributor in France has a long history of cooperation with Iran in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, marine, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to oil and gas exploration and renewable energy production, Total is one of the leading producers of automobile engine oil and other automotive accessories. Among the products of this company, which are also sold in the Iranian market, we can mention Quartz 7000 and Quartz 5000 oils.
Castrol is one of the largest and top motors and lubricating oils globally and is definitely among the best foreign motor oil brands. The British company is so famous that even many people unrelated to engine oil know it.
Castrol produces various diesel and gasoline engine oils, lubricants, fuel additives, propulsion cleaners, and که used in the automotive, marine, aerospace, and manufacturing industries. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has direct business relationships with more than 46 countries worldwide. Among the products of this company, we can mention Castrol GTX and Magnetek oils.
Company Elf is one of the largest manufacturers of motor oils in France, which Renault endorses. In other words, Renault offers engine A oil for its products. Due to many Renault products in Iran, the best brand of foreign car oil for Renault cars is engine oil A. Also, considering the multi-year presence of Renault and A products in Iran, it can say that Elf oils are one of the quality car oils available in the market for vehicles related to Renault. Among A products that are also offered in the Iranian market, we can mention Evolution engine oil.
Liquimoly Company has a special place in choosing the best foreign car oil brand; Because this German company enjoys the most and most complete variety in its product portfolio. The company produces more than 1,750 products for trucks, passenger cars, motorcycles, boats, karts, and industrial machinery. Lycomoli is active in more than ninety countries of the world, and all stages of research, development, and production of the product take place only in Germany. Among the products of this company, which is also available in the Iranian market, we can mention LEICHTLAUF engine oil.
Engine oil prices
The price of engine oil in the current market conditions is very diverse. The existence of different types of Iranian and foreign car oils and their supply in different packaging and volume has caused us to see a lot of diversity in this market. For example, the price of a 4-liter package of Power model oil speed starts from about 200,000 Tomans; While the package price of 4 liters of Super Power engine oil is about 223 thousand tomans.
Pars 4 liter engine oil, a super reliable model, is offered to the market at a price of about 210 thousand Tomans; While the package price of 5 liters of Pars Super Paya Plus oil reaches 350 thousand Tomans.
Note, however, that the prices quoted are for the article’s date of publication and are also for the purchase of oil only and do not include ancillary costs such as mechanics’ wages and oil replacement and oil filters, and other ancillary services.