Table of contents: Motor oil additives ↓ How often should I change my oil? ↓ Oil change, where and how ↓ What do you need for an oil change? ↓
When buying mineral oil, two criteria play a decisive role. The oil should have:
- The required oil specification. It is rare that the label on the package does not correspond to reality, since oil producing companies carry out mutual control.
- The required viscosity of the oil. It depends on the prevailing external temperature and can be taken from the chart above.
Motor oil additives
"Additives should not be added to engine oil. Damage caused by these substances is excluded from warranty coverage" - this is Audi's opinion on additives in oils. The relationship between the increased costs of oil additives and the corresponding extension of engine service life remains debatable - especially when using high-quality oils.
How often should I change my oil?
Audi recommends changing the oil every 15,000 km or annually.
We believe that those who drive long distances should consider 15,000 km as the upper limit. But on the other hand, those who drive mainly short distances should change the contents of the crankcase much earlier. In cold weather, no later than after six months, regardless of the likely low mileage. If driving exclusively in urban conditions, four months will already be enough for the oil.
Oil change, where and how
The oil should be changed when the engine is warm so that any accumulated dirt can drain away when it is drained.
In times of growing awareness of the need to protect the environment, the consequences of used oil getting into groundwater with the corresponding danger to drinking water are now known to everyone. The disposal of used oil drained during a change is easy thanks to the waste disposal law: it can be returned free of charge where it was purchased. The trade is obliged to accept it back, but as proof of purchase you must present the corresponding receipt. Even easier, if you change the oil at a petrol station, then you do not need to deal with the used oil at all, it will most likely end up in the used oil tank.
Important! Do not mix used oil with other liquids!
In our experience, oil changes are most expensive at workshops, because they only stock very expensive oils. In addition, the engine has already cooled down by the time the oil is drained. And workshops charge at least an additional fee for the work of changing the oil filter.
At gas stations, most often the car queue comes right away. You can choose cheaper oil from the gas station sales program, and the cost of the oil includes the work of the station technician.
There are no objections to changing SB oil using a suction device, provided that the oil filter is changed after every 15,000 km. This can be done from above.
Changing oil at home is only justified if you buy oil at a favorable price in a convenience store, supermarket, department store or at a gas station. At a gas station, you can ask about the availability of slightly cheaper mineral oils or SB oils.
What do you need for an oil change?
- Motor oil of the named specifications (cheaper in 5 liter canisters).
- New gasket for the oil drain plug thread.
- Oil filter purchased from a hardware store.
- A collection container for used oil. An old oil canister with the side wall cut out or a used flushing container can serve here.
- An old oil canister is used to transport used oil.
- A manual oiler will make the process of filling the engine oil easier.
- Strap wrench for filter removal.