Why change your engine oil every year?

How often should you change the engine oil?

Not all car owners know when to change the engine oil. And many of them do not trust the data provided by the manufacturer on lubricant change intervals. There is some logic in this, since replacing it after the recommended 15 thousand km is not always correct. It is necessary to look at the time worked by the engine and the speed of movement. In addition, you need to take into account operating conditions, mileage, and technical condition of the car. Additional factors that influence the frequency of lubricant changes include engine parameters and the date of the last change. In the review you will learn more about the mentioned factors, correctness and errors when replacing lubricant.

Why you need to change your engine oil regularly

What can happen if you do not change the lubricant in the power unit for a long time? To answer, you need to find out what role oil plays. It includes a base and a certain amount of additives that protect the surfaces of engine parts. While driving a car and even while parked, chemical additives gradually decompose. In motion, this process proceeds faster, natural deposits are created that settle on the walls of the crankcase. Some lubricant substances oxidize, acidity and viscosity change.

At high load and temperature, chemical processes occur with greater intensity. But modern production is becoming more advanced, technologies are being updated, as is the chemical composition of lubricants. Therefore, new lubricants can protect the engine for a long time, remaining clean even under extreme heat.

The control units of modern cars are programmed to control the frequency of engine oil changes. Such data are calculated using empirical dependencies. The actual parameters are used as the basis for this. This is the number of engine revolutions, speed, number of starts in cold weather, temperature conditions during operation. The firmware of the electronic unit takes into account technical tolerances and errors, so only the approximate replacement time is determined.

Today, many counterfeit engine lubricants are sold in retail outlets in Russia and abroad. In addition, the fuel is also of low quality, so you need to change the oil even more often. The recommended minimum mileage before replacement should be reduced by 30%. If, for example, the factory provides for this procedure after 15 thousand km, then it is better to reduce the mileage to 10,000. You will not go wrong if you change the oil annually, regardless of whether you drive a car or not.

Results of untimely replacement

We list the consequences of failure to replace the lubricant and their specific causes.

1. The appearance of deposits. The cause of the sediment is the decomposition of chemical additives and contamination of the lubricant with combustion products in the crankcase of the power unit. As a result, engine power decreases and exhaust gases become toxic and dark.
2. Increased wear of the piston group and other parts. Reasons - the lubricant does not fulfill its task due to a change in the chemical properties of the additives.
3. The oil becomes more viscous. The reasons also include changes in the quality of additives. For example, they begin to oxidize and their polymerization is disrupted. As a result, circulation becomes more difficult and engine parts wear out faster. Oil starvation of the engine often leads to difficulty starting it in winter, and sometimes even jamming occurs.
4. Displacement of connecting rod bearings. This defect occurs due to clogging of the lubrication channel with thick oil. The smaller the cross-section of the lubrication passages, the more the connecting rod bearings experience the load. As a result, they overheat and turn over.
5. Turbine failure. If the car is equipped with a turbocharging system, its rotor may become unusable. This occurs due to the high pressure of dirty oil on the bearings and compressor shaft. Therefore, scuffs and defects appear on them. In addition, used oil clogs the compressor passages, which can cause it to seize.

Note! Do not drive a car with thick and black oil - the engine will wear out quickly.

The problems considered are more relevant to city cars. Such conditions are difficult for the motor.

What determines the frequency of replacement?

Each car manufacturer gives detailed information in its manual about when to change the oil. But this information does not always correspond to real life. Usually in the documents you can see the mileage on average from 10 to 15 thousand km, depending on the brand of the car. But in reality, these numbers are influenced by various factors.

1. Quality and type of fuel (diesel, gasoline, gas).
2. Engine displacement.
3. Type and class of oils used.
4. Brand of lubricant poured (mineral, synthetic, semi-synthetic).
5. Condition of the engine oil.
6. Full mileage.
7. Replacement method.
8. The quality of the purchased oil.
9. Mode and operating conditions.
10. Vehicle condition.

The plant’s recommendations are not taken into account in this list, since for them the frequency of replacement is a marketing ploy.

Engine size and type

A powerful motor can more easily withstand heavy loads and difficult working conditions. Therefore, the lubricant will not deteriorate too much. A car with a powerful power unit moving on the road at a speed of 120 km per hour does not put much stress on it.

Subcompact cars are usually equipped with a transmission with a low gear ratio for driving at low speeds and engine speeds. Therefore, in difficult conditions, their motors experience greater load compared to powerful engines. When the load increases, the piston group heats up more, and the volume of gases in the crankcase increases. This increases the temperature of the motor lubricant.

It’s especially difficult for “small cars” with forced 1.2-liter engines. In this case, the load is also added by the turbocharger.

Operating mode

First of all, the frequency of engine lubricant changes is affected by the operating mode of the vehicle. Without going into details of this process, there are two types of modes - urban and suburban. The question is, if the car drives around the city, its mileage will be less, and the load on the power unit will be greater. This is due to frequent downtime in traffic jams and at traffic lights with the engine running. There is not enough cooling.

If the car is used on country roads, the situation is completely different. The mileage is longer, and the engine is cooled much more efficiently. Therefore, the load on the motor and lubrication is also reduced.

It would be more correct to determine when to change the engine oil, taking into account the engine hours. This is done for agricultural and cargo equipment. For example, in a city a car will travel 10,000 km in about 400 engine hours, but the same distance outside the city will take only 100 engine hours. In addition, different operating modes must be taken into account.

It is not for nothing that driving in a big city is equated to rough terrain, as this has a detrimental effect on lubrication. The effect is especially noticeable when the oil level is below average or minimal. In addition, in hot weather there is more load on the oil due to the increased temperature of the air and the road surface.

Other factors

Additional conditions that affect the timing of engine lubricant replacement include high operating temperature. In addition, you need to take into account the characteristics of the oil, the contamination of the oil filter, the condition of the lubrication channels, compliance of the lubricant with the factory recommendations, its originality, and crankcase ventilation.

In addition, the type of oil plays an important role - synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral water.

How often should you change the engine oil?

Car enthusiasts have different approaches to when it comes to changing the lubricant in a car engine. Basic control can be done using an oil dipstick. It shows the level, which should be between the minimum and maximum marks. Also, darkening of the oil is noticeable on the dipstick due to contamination with combustion products. Therefore, after some time the lubricating fluid needs to be changed.

How to treat factory recommendations

In the usual version, the operating manual contains information about how long it takes to change the oil in the car. Most often, mileage is indicated there from 13 to 15 thousand km.

These data are valid for ideal operating conditions:

1. Clean engine.
2. No overheating.
3. Low speed.

The ideal mode can be at a speed of at least 50 km per hour, which is typical for country driving over long distances.

In many cases it is necessary to deviate from the manufacturer's requirements. Let's consider a list of severe conditions for motor oil, due to which the replacement procedure should be carried out more often.

1. Traveling through mountainous areas.
2. Frequent towing.
3. Increased dust content in the air.
4. Sudden temperature changes, severe frosts.
5. High air humidity.

Given these conditions, it is recommended to take a supply of motor oil with you on a long trip.

What do experts recommend?

During the entire service life of the oil, it is in three states, which are divided into groups. They are used to determine when to change the oil.

1. Clean (mileage up to 7.5 thousand km) – maintains the ideal condition of the power unit.
2. Working (mileage from 8 to 15 thousand km) is a dirty liquid that negatively affects the operation of the engine.
3. Emergency (more than 15 thousand km) - the lubrication system is clogged, extreme wear of parts is observed.

Considering the operating conditions of the machine, the engine oil needs to be changed:

1. After 5-7 thousand km, if most of the time the car drives in traffic jams and the average speed does not exceed 30 km per hour.
2. After 13-15 thousand km, if the car is operated up to 80% of the time on country roads.
3. Regardless of the distance traveled, the lubricant in the engine must be changed annually as it ages.

How to properly change engine oil

The procedure is as follows:

1. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
2. Place a container under the drain plug to drain the liquid.
3. Unscrew the filler neck.
4. Drain the oil, wait until it drains completely and replace the plug.
5. Replace the oil filter. Don't forget to lubricate the rubber gasket by dripping grease onto it.
6. Pour fresh oil through the filler neck using a funnel.
7. Close the filler cap and run the engine for a few minutes.
8. After 10 minutes, measure the lubricant level with a dipstick and add if necessary.

If the engine oil is always changed on time and high-quality fuel is used, then flushing the system is not required. Otherwise, you can wash it with special means.

Replacement errors

Many drivers do not see the difficulties and subtleties in replacing the lubricating fluid in a car engine. But sometimes they are wrong, as will be discussed below.

1. Mixing oils with different properties. Inexperienced drivers buy popular brands, but they can damage the engine. Not all oils can be mixed. You must first drain the used fluid and then fill in new fluid. Incompatible additives may enter into chemical reactions.
2. Incorrect level determination. The first measurements are inaccurate as the level changes over time. It would be more correct to check it after a few days, or after driving a few kilometers.
3. Insufficient tightening of the filter, filler neck and drain plug. Oil may leak through these elements.
4. Using oil without taking into account the operating mode. A lubricant that is suitable for use abroad may not be suitable in Russia.
5. Some car owners suck out old oil through the dipstick hole. This leaves sediment in the oil pan.

Taking into account common mistakes will extend the life of the motor. Each car owner determines when to change the oil, depending on the factors affecting it.

Is it necessary to change the engine oil once a year with low mileage?

Good afternoon. In today's post we will look at whether it is necessary to change the engine oil once a year with low mileage. After reading the article, you will learn how and why oil deteriorates, what causes the need to change it in the absence of mileage, and which oil can be changed 2 times less often.

Traditionally for our site, the article contains a lot of photos and video materials.

Short answer.

In the absence of mileage, the engine oil should be changed annually, as it loses the lightest fractions, is oxidized by oxygen from the air and collects atmospheric moisture through condensation. Accordingly, its viscosity increases, and its protective properties deteriorate. But there are oils that are less susceptible to the aging process.

How and why does oil deteriorate, even without mileage?

Everyone knows about the mechanism of dew formation on grass - moisture from the air settles on cold surfaces - grass, car bodies or glass.

In exactly the same way, condensation settles in the gas tank and engine crankcase.

If there is no problem with constant use - the moisture simply evaporates, then with a long period of inactivity it collects in the pan and spoils the oil .

The atmosphere of the earth is not ideal; a significant part of the air is oxygen, which in itself is a powerful oxidizing agent; it oxidizes everything, including oil.

They did not pay attention to the fact that when changing oils, a black, incomprehensible substance is drained into the transmission, but in the transmission, as a rule, there is no carbon deposits and the oil turns black precisely from oxidation with oxygen from the air. It’s just noticeable in the transmission, since the oil changes there much less often.

I assure you, if you leave an unopened can of motor oil for several years, it will darken.

In the case of an engine, this process occurs much faster, since the surface of the oil and air contact is larger and the pan is flat.

Most oils are a byproduct of cracking oil, naturally they can burn and the lightest fractions will evaporate (otherwise the oil would not smell).

We agreed - over time, the oil increases its viscosity, deteriorates its lubricating properties and collects atmospheric moisture, therefore, it is better to change it once a year, before the start of the summer season.

If the car is parked in a warm box and the temperature does not allow dew to fall, it is permissible to change the oil once every two years.

Which oil can be changed less frequently if the car is not used?

Here, too, everything is extremely simple - the more expensive the oil, the more stable it is and the less it oxidizes. If you use synthetic oils and drive no more than 5,000 km per year, it is acceptable to change the oil every 2 years, but you will not benefit in price, since synthetics cost 2-2.5 times more than mineral water. So think about whether you need it.

Conclusion.

That's all for me today. I hope that the article fully answered the question of whether it is necessary to change the engine oil once a year with low mileage. If you have any questions, suggestions or want to add to the article, write comments.

Why change your engine oil every year?

Changing the oil is a key vehicle maintenance operation that requires a certain frequency. Moreover, under difficult operating conditions, manufacturers require more frequent changes, even without reference to periodic maintenance. The regulations specified in the service book have long been no longer mandatory, and in some cases it makes sense to change the engine oil depending on the season.

According to car manufacturers' regulations, the engine oil needs to be changed every 10 or 15 thousand km or at least once a year. But some models independently calculate the frequency of replacement, focusing on the number of engine hours and operating conditions. When the engine operates for a long time in traffic jams or at high speeds, the operating temperature of the oil increases and it degrades more intensively. And during short city trips, it does not have time to warm up to operating temperatures, which contributes to the formation of deposits. Frequent starts in cold weather, driving in traffic jams, off-road or in sports modes can significantly reduce the replacement frequency to 7-8 thousand kilometers.

It is wrong to change the oil every year at the same time - you need to focus primarily on mileage. In a year, a car can cover both 5 thousand and 30 thousand km, and the oil must be changed in accordance with the schedule regulated by the manufacturer. However, if the car does not travel the regulated number of kilometers per year, then the recommendation of annual replacement should be followed. Even if the car does not drive, the oil still oxidizes over time and loses its properties.

Seasonal oil changes are justified in two cases. Firstly, timing the replacement to coincide with the change of season makes sense for high mileage. Secondly, it is worth changing the oil twice a year in regions with sudden climate changes. Typically, general purpose oils are used that are suitable for the entire temperature range, but in areas with extreme winters or very hot summers, it makes sense to use more highly specialized oils. For example, by winter, fill in less viscous varieties, which make it easier to start the engine in the cold. And in the summer - more viscous, guaranteeing some fuel economy. Double changes are more expensive, but seasonal oils themselves can cost less than universal ones.

The oil level should be checked regularly. Modern models can independently notify the owner about a drop in level, but it is better not to bring it to critical parameters. A rapid drop in oil level is a reason for a service visit and subsequent repairs. But if the oil is consumed within the limits that the manufacturer considers normal, you can simply top it up. Ideally, this should be the same oil that was poured into the engine during the last service. Otherwise, it is worth choosing a similar type of oil with the same viscosity and quality indicators, that is, with similar markings on the packaging.

Mandatory replacement is required after repair work related to draining the oil or partially disassembling the engine. The oil also needs to be changed if foreign liquids get into it. For example, water when overcoming water barriers or coolant when gaskets break. Sometimes car owners or service employees mistakenly pour other technical fluids into the oil neck - this is also a reason for immediate replacement. But changing the oil if it has become dark does not make sense - during operation, the lubricant accumulates dirt, and this is normal.

Why do you need to change your engine oil annually?

If you do not change the engine oil regularly, accelerated wear of the engine's rubbing parts is inevitable. The point is not only that lubricants are used up during the operation of the car. Motor oils can age—simply over time.

Although it would seem to be well known: mineral oil should be changed every 5,000 km, semi-synthetic oil - every 10,000 km, synthetic oil - every 15,000 km. But here everything is not as clear as it seems at first glance. Of course, the service book indicates the frequency of maintenance, but it also states that the timing of routine maintenance depends on operating conditions. That is, when using a machine with increased loads (towing a trailer, regular movement at high speed, operation in harsh climatic conditions), it is recommended to carry out additional preventive procedures.

Moreover, not a single engine oil manufacturer indicates on the product information about how many kilometers it needs to be changed. Because he understands: the timing of engine oil changes depends on a large number of factors: fuel quality, operating conditions, driving style, frequency of use of the car, etc. Therefore, the frequency of oil changes should not be strictly tied to mileage! It needs to be changed depending on the number of engine hours. But this is in theory. In practice, calculating the number of engine hours is quite difficult, since one engine hour is not equal to one hour of real time. It depends on the speed of the crankshaft (the faster it rotates, the faster the engine hour will pass).

What specific number of crankshaft revolutions corresponds to one engine hour must be clarified with the manufacturer. On average, 200-250 engine hours are equal to 15,000 kilometers. If the car is operated in the city, the number of engine hours will increase, and if outside the city, it will decrease. If you do not want to deal with detailed calculation of engine hours, use a simpler algorithm: the engine oil should be changed once a year, regardless of mileage, even if the car has not been used at all.

However, if this approach seems too wasteful to you, there are two ways to check the performance of the lubricant yourself. The first one is very simple: if the oil has become dark (the dipstick is not visible through it), it is better to change it. The second one is a little more difficult. It is necessary to warm up the engine, then pull out the dipstick, drop a drop of oil on the paper and wait about 15 minutes for the drop to be well absorbed and form a stain. If a dirty circle of uniform color has formed on the paper, the oil needs to be replaced. If the drop has spread over the paper, then it is still suitable for use.