Multi-talented all-weather oil
Most modern motor oils are multigrade oils made from crude oil. In order for mineral oil to turn into motor oil, it needs additives - special additives that make up to 20% of its chemical composition. They protect the oil from oxidation and prevent it from foaming at high speeds. One of the most important additives is an additive that improves the viscosity-temperature properties of the oil - a substance consisting of long polymer chains that swell when heated and shrink again when cooled.
Thanks to their action, the oil changes its properties depending on the temperature of the engine and belongs to several viscosity classes at once. However, this additive wears out at high temperatures and loses its properties. In addition, oil life is limited by water, fuel and combustion products. Liquid mineral oil does not tolerate pressure and temperature in the engine. Therefore, a timely oil change is not a luxury, but a vital necessity if you want your engine to run without friction.
Synthetic oils
In the manufacture of synthetic oils, crude oil is also indispensable. However, oil molecules are broken down using expensive cracking technology and then re-formulated with the help of special additives. In principle, synthetic oil is the same natural product as mineral oil, but much more expensive. Therefore, its manufacturers promise, when using it, a reduction in oil and fuel consumption, increased stability of the composition and delayed aging of the oil. In theory, this means that the oil can be changed less frequently. If you decide to use this high-quality oil, you must nevertheless adhere to the oil change intervals provided for in the instructions.
Do not mix mineral and synthetic oils
When you add oil to an engine, it is usually possible to mix oils from different manufacturers. However, keep in mind that the properties of engine oil deteriorate rapidly. Each brand of oil has a specific combination of additives that can lose their effectiveness when mixed with another oil. In this regard, it is not advisable to mix mineral and synthetic oils.
What oils are suitable for A4?
In A4 gasoline engines, oils following Volkswagen standards must be used: VW 500 00, 501 01 or 502 00. The new VW 503 00 standard is recommended as an oil specification for long-term use. An oil that meets this standard is resistant to aging, it is also suitable for engines turbocharged.
If there is no oil that is approved for use by the manufacturer, then oil such as API-SF or API-SG can also be added temporarily. All-season oils are made on the basis of low-viscosity seasonal oils; when hot, they are stabilized with the help of additives to improve the viscosity-temperature properties. As a result, appropriate lubricating properties are ensured both when the engine is cold and when it is hot. You can make a conclusion about whether the oil is suitable for your car engine or not based on the specification and viscosity grade.
Attention! Oils that can only be used in diesel engines must not be mixed with oils for gasoline engines, otherwise you risk damaging the engine.
In Central European countries, multi-season oil can remain in the engine throughout the year, so it is not necessary to change the oil between seasons
A: all-weather low-viscosity oils according to VW 500 00 or 502 00
B: multigrade oils according to VW 501 01
Definitions and norms
Viscosity. A measure of the fluidity of lubricating oil. In winter, the engine oil must be so thin that it reaches the lubrication points immediately after a cold start. In summer, on the contrary, thick-flowing oil is required so that the formation of a lubricating film is ensured even at high temperatures.
SAE class. Denotes viscosity grade, eg SAE 15W-40. The lower the first number, the thinner the oil is at low temperatures (W - winter). 0W oil can lubricate even at minus 30 degrees, 5W oil at minus 25 degrees, and 15W oil at minus 15 degrees. The higher the second number, the better the oil can withstand high temperatures.
ASEA is a European standard that was introduced in 1996. This rule replaced the SSMS norm. For gasoline engines there are groups A1 (fuel saving oil), A2 (normal oil), AZ (heavy duty oil). For diesel engines, the following classification applies: B1, B2 and B3.
SSMS. This European specification consists of the letter designation G (Gas engine) or PD (diesel), as well as numbers. The higher the number, the higher the quality of the oil.
API. This US specification consists of the letter designation S (Gas engine) or with (diesel) and another letter. The higher this letter in the alphabet, the higher the quality of the oil.
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