One of the most important functions of lubricants found in cars is to reduce the friction that occurs, for example, in the engine or gearbox. Examples of such agents are, of course, engine and transmission oils. Since their basic function is the same, could we, for example, add engine oil to the gearbox or gear oil to the engine in an emergency?
- heat dissipation - by washing and cooling hot elements (fire ring 250 ° C, piston bottom 200 ° C, shells up to 130 ° C) and heat dissipation to the oil pan, the oil helps to maintain the right engine temperature; in very advanced engines, oil is sprayed onto the piston crown to cool it, and additional oil coolers are used;
- corrosion protection (iron and non-ferrous metals) - through additives increasing the base number (oil alkalinity) in order to neutralize acid combustion products (acidic sulfur compounds, eg: H2S, etc.), the oil prevents corrosion; components such as bushings, which are made of non-ferrous metals, are particularly sensitive;
- ensuring the combustion chamber in particular - the engine designer designs it in such a way that only after introducing oil of appropriate viscosity between the rings and the cylinder liner, the engine reaches the assumed compression pressure;
- keeping the engine clean - the use of high-quality base oils as well as washing and dispersing additives, the oil prevents the deposition of low and high-temperature impurities; they remain dissolved in the oil and float in the oil until it is changed.
"Engine oils are not suitable for use in the gearbox. They do not have friction additives to work with synchronizers, which would make the gears very difficult to engage. In addition, they have smaller amounts of Extreme Pressure (EP) additives, such as sulfur, molybdenum, and boron. Their deficiency may lead to wear or seizure of the box (depending on its load). Conversely, the transmission oil could not be used in the engine mainly due to the lack of an alkaline reserve, i.e. alkaline additives to neutralize the acid products of combustion, and fewer dispersion additives to collect contaminants such as soot. Additionally, EP additives - sulfur-phosphorus - would damage or clog TWC or DPF filters"- explains Andrzej Husiatyński, Technical Support Engineer at TotalEnergies.
"The engine oil reaches up to 250 degrees around the piston rings, which puts it at risk of oxidation. There are no such heat sources in the gearbox, the oil heats only by friction and rarely reaches temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius. At TotalEnergies, however, we would like to point out that the oil in the box must be more resistant to frost and work properly from the start, when it heats up very slowly. In gearboxes, the oil is additionally more sheared between the teeth, which requires the use of other additives increasing the viscosity index. Therefore, the products should be used in accordance with their intended use. Mixing these two types of oils can quickly lead to a costly breakdown"- sums up Andrzej Husiatyński.
TotalEnergies is a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has operated in Poland since 1992 and has an established position in the engine oil market. It offers products of two recognised brands, TotalEnergies and Elf. The company has also been rapidly developing the sale of asphalts and has been present on the market of industrial special fluids since 2008. In 2010, TotalEnergies Marketing Polska started imports and wholesale of fuels. In December 2014, the company launched its first petrol stations in Poland, thus entering the retail market. www.totalenergies.pl
Contact details for media:
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679
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