Choosing a motor oil for winter 2022

Winter is coming, which means that all the units and mechanisms car require a special lubricant composition that demonstrates better resistance to low temperatures. At the same time, it is more important to protect friction pairs from excessive loads. Frost-resistant car oil is not a marketing ploy, but a vital resource for engines, without which efficient operation of engines is not possible.

What are automotive oils

Traditionally, the lubricant product is made in oil refineries. There are several types of motor oils:

• ✦ mineral
  
• ✦ semi-synthetic
  
• ✦ synthetic
  

Mineral is made from natural ingredients, that is, from oil. This is one of the oldest lubricant formulations for engines. It is impossible to use mineral oil in the cold season - it freezes already at -10℃. But at the same time, this product effectively cleans metal components from carbon deposits in the warm season.

Semi-synthetic motor oil is made from natural raw materials with the addition of synthetic compounds. It also cannot be used at too low temperatures, however, semi-synthetic motor oil is quite suitable for the off-season.

The best option for harsh winters is synthetic motor oil. The product is created using molecular synthesis, retains its best qualities even at extremely low temperatures. But there is one caveat:



Otherwise, synthetic motor oil quickly, but not delicately, removes deposits accumulated on the mechanisms, which can lead to difficulties in the operation of the motor and even its breakdown.

Viscosity

The viscosity index of an engine oil determines the quality of the lubricant composition and some of its properties. For example, too thick oil leads to intensive engine operation. Accordingly, it overheats too quickly. The liquid simply flows off the parts, without creating the optimal thickness of the lubricating layer. This, in turn, leads to increased friction of the parts and, as a result, their rapid wear.

For optimal engine operation in the cold season, it is recommended to use frost-resistant engine oil of moderately liquid (this will ensure an easy start of the engine) and moderately thick (to create a dense oil film) consistency.

Engine oil is known to thicken in cold weather and thin out at high temperatures. Such a parameter as "viscosity index" indicates the stability of the lubricant composition during temperature changes. Distinguish:

• ✦ high index - oil thins slowly
  
• ✦ low index - the lubricant liquefies fairly quickly.
  

Accordingly, for synthetics, the viscosity index varies from 140 to 170, for a semi-synthetic composition - from 130 to 150, for mineral motor oil - from 110 to 135.

What to look for when choosing engine oil

To choose a good motor oil for operating a car in the cold season, many factors must be taken into account. The owner is required to pay attention to the following parameters:

• ✦ car make and model
  
• ✦ engine type (gasoline or diesel) manufacturer's recommendations (as a rule, the manufacturer indicates which type of engine oil is preferable to use for a particular power plant)
  
• ✦ driving style (it is clear that when driving aggressively, the engine runs more intensively, so the load on all mechanisms also increases)
  
• ✦ mileage (with an increase in mileage, the engine needs a lubricant with a higher viscosity index - for example, it is better to use synthetics for new engines, and after 70 thousand km it makes sense to switch to semi-synthetic types)
  

The general conditions of engine use are also important - average air temperature, extremely low and high temperatures, frequency of car use, etc.

Brand Orientation

Still, it’s not worth playing the lottery with little-known manufacturers, because we are talking about the work and life expectancy of the main element of the car. There are brands that have been proven over the years and by users, which you should focus on.

Among the imported brands are Mannol, Zic, Shell, Motul and others. Domestic brands - Lukoil, Rosneft, etc. It is clear that focusing only on brand awareness is still not worth it. The authenticity of the product and its quality is important to the motorist. Experienced car owners recommend purchasing motor oil at branded gas stations - in this case, the probability of running into a fake product is negligible.

Information from the engine oil manufacturer

There is a lot of information on a bottle of motor oil - the consumer should learn to read "between the lines". Canisters often have the inscriptions Fiat, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. Does this mean that a specific product is designed with the engines of the indicated brands in mind? Perhaps, but not 100%.

For example, the phrase "Meet: Volkswagen" ("meet" in translation means "corresponds") means only that the manufacturer believes that a particular oil can be used in Volkswagen cars. That is, this statement can be regarded as a marketing ploy.

As for the term “Approved” (for example, MB Approval 229.1), it indicates that the manufacturer of a particular car brand has conducted appropriate tests for this product and officially allowed it to be used in their cars. It is not difficult to check the accuracy of this information: just go to the car manufacturer's website and find out whether, for example, Opel gave approval to PupkinOil oils. Along the way, you can find out a lot of useful information: for example, some unscrupulous motor oil manufacturers, having received approval for one product, as if by chance declare that their entire line of products has been approved.

So, with the evaluative selection criteria sorted out. It remains to decide on specific names. If it is difficult to single out a particular product, you can always refer to the ratings compiled on the basis of recommendations from manufacturers and user reviews.

The best motor oils for the winter: the choice of domestic motorists

Whatever the manufacturer's recommendations, you should always focus on the actual operating conditions of the car. In particular, Russian drivers are often forced to start their engines in severe frosts, so you should take a closer look at proven products that are highly frost-resistant and have sufficient viscosity.

BP Visco 7000 0W-40

Better balance of performance.

Synthetic product designed for use at low temperatures. Due to the high degree of purification, this engine oil can be used in engines equipped with catalytic converter systems or diesel particulate filters. This product levels the toxicity of exhaust gases, and also helps to reduce fuel consumption, as evidenced by numerous user reviews.

BP Visco 7000 0W-40 engine oil provides easy starting even at -30℃. A highly effective additive package creates all the conditions to prevent the formation of deposits that can harm certain engine components.

Estimated cost - 2 900 rubles

SHELL Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30

The best engine oil for the winter for diesel engines

The optimal product for low-cost vehicles running on a diesel power plant. SHELL Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30 engine oil effectively protects engine components from diesel fuel by-products. The innovative formula of the synthetic composition improves the technical parameters of the motor, and also reduces exhaust toxicity. Judging by user reviews, SHELL Helix Ultra ECT C2 / C3 0W-30 engine oil quickly starts the power plant even in severe frosts.

Estimated cost - 2650 rubles

TOYOTA SN 5W-30

One of the most popular specialized products

From the name it becomes clear that the product is designed specifically for cars of the same brand. The lubricant composition is suitable for gasoline engines. The product prevents the formation of deposits that occur during the operation of the motor. The oil creates a dense and uniform film on the metal elements of the engine, protecting them from premature wear. Lubricating composition TOYOTA SN 5W-30 provides quick engine start at low temperatures, and also extends the life of oil seals and other consumables.
components.

Estimated cost - 2 300 rubles

LIQUI MOLY Synthoil Longtime Plus 0W-30

Trouble-free engine start even in the most severe frosts

The innovative formula of synthetic engine oil allows you to start the engine without problems even at -40℃. The lubricant is suitable for use in both gasoline and diesel power plants. LIQUI MOLY Synthoil Longtime Plus 0W-30 engine oil reduces exhaust emissions, reduces fuel consumption, protects mechanisms from deposits and overheating.

Estimated cost - 6 900 rubles

Motul 8100 Xcess 5W40

The best synthetics for powerful engines

Synthetic lubricant of French origin provides engine resistance to the aggressive effects of combustion products. The composition significantly reduces the effects of friction of parts in diesel and gasoline power plants. The oil is recommended by car manufacturers such as GM, BMW, Porsche and Renault. Motul 8100 X-cess 5W40 engine oil provides a quick engine start, reduces exhaust toxicity, and also significantly reduces fuel consumption.

Estimated cost - 3 700 rubles



Summing up, we can say that the choice of engine oil is an important parameter that determines the functionality of the engine and its durability. By choosing the wrong composition, you risk accelerating the wear of parts, thereby creating all the prerequisites for an early overhaul of the power plant. Give preference to proven compositions and listen to the recommendations of manufacturers. And then your car will briskly start even in the most severe frosts.