Many owners of high-mileage cars think about changing their engine oil for a cheaper, lower-performance oil. In practice, it is a matter of switching from "synthetic" to "semi-synthetic" or from "semi-synthetic" to mineral. There is also some abstract argument: "I will get the thicker oil and so reduce oil consumption". Elf warns: this not only increases oil consumption but also damages the engine. Moreover – the colloquial meaning of "density" is incorrect!
To begin with, therefore, it is necessary to deal with "oil density". Still, many drivers and, unfortunately, mechanics believe that oil that appears "thicker" in the package will better lubricate or seal the engine. This is unfortunately a very bad assumption that has no justification.
Even water is thicker than oil!
Remember that density is only a determination of specific gravity. The comparison between oil and water illustrates this perfectly. Water has a higher density than oil ("oil on top"), but oil has a much higher viscosity (e.g. at room temperature). This is why a teaspoon dropped in a glass of water sinks to the bottom faster than in a glass of oil...
Viscosity is key
So we have established that the parameter that drivers and mechanics are subconsciously concerned about is oil viscosity. It determines the ease of oil flow at a certain temperature. The higher the viscosity, the greater the internal resistance, meaning the liquid flows more slowly. The viscosity of oils available on the market is determined according to SAE standards, e.g. SAE 0W-20; 5W-30; 5W-40; 10W-60.
How to read the label?
Oil classification is divided into winter oils (described by numbers and the letter "W") and summer oils (described by numbers alone). Because modern cars use multi-grade oils – that is why both numbers separated by the letter "W" are given on packages (e.g. 0W–20). The first signifies the winter grade and low temperature fluidity of the oil. The second number (after the "W") indicates the summer class and its behavior in high temperatures.An example of 0W-20 oil will spread very quickly through the engine at low temperatures, making winter start-up easier, for example. It won't put up much resistance in the summer either. For example, 0W-30 oil will be more viscous at high temperatures. This is indicated by the higher digit after the letter "W". This means that the oil film will be thicker and will seal the engine better (in the colloquial sense).
More viscous does not mean better
Unfortunately, as viscosity increases, internal resistance in the engine increases, which may cause a decrease in power and an increase in fuel consumption. In addition, oils with higher viscosities cool the engine less well, which is very important in the newest engines with high power-to-displacement ratio.
Don’t do this
Some engines, regardless of age and mileage, must not be filled with oils of too high a viscosity. This can be caused, for example, by problems with the functioning of the hydraulic timing belt tensioners, hydraulic valve clearance adjustment or hydraulically controlled camshaft phasing. Moreover – in this material we only address the problem of viscosity. And yet older engines may be fitted with advanced equipment, such as pump injectors or a particulate filter, which also places specific demands on the oil, and substitution with any cheaper product is not acceptable.
The magic of additives increasing possibilities
Modern technology allows oils to maintain very good lubricating properties even when the oil has a relatively low viscosity. What is more – such oil parameters are the most beneficial for the engine. A low-viscosity oil that simultaneously provides excellent lubrication over a wide temperature range and a stable oil film is often the ideal product. It's a dream combination of two seemingly contradictory directions. After all, lower high-temperature viscosity means lower fuel consumption. Higher viscosity provides theoretically better wear protection. However, the use of modern active anti-wear additive technology provides protection for the engine, and the use of oil with a higher viscosity than recommended will result in increased fuel consumption and power loss.In the case of Elf, the way to develop such oils was found in the study of high-temperature viscosity HTHS, measured at 150°C. To prevent the negative effects of lowering the viscosity HTHS where very high pressures occur (e.g. between the cam and the tappet), Elf uses advanced packages of active anti-wear additives which react with wear surfaces to form a very tough lubricating film. With these additives, it was possible to significantly reduce the viscosity of HTHS without adversely affecting engine life. Modern Elf oils reduce internal engine resistance, increase power output and save fuel. An additional advantage is improved piston and ring cooling, which is very important for high-powered engines achieved from small volumes.
"The differences in oil behavior are really revealed as the oil temperature in the engine increases. How the oil looks and behaves in the package at room temperature has no bearing on what happens to the oil when it is heated to operating temperature. For this reason, it is very important to use oils with the quality and viscosity parameters exactly as provided by the car manufacturer, i.e. to use oil with the appropriate manufacturer's approval. And this information is given on the oil labels"
– explains Andrzej Husiatyński, Elf.
About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has been present in Poland since 1992 and has an established position on the market of motor oils. It offers products of two well-known 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
About Marketing & Services TotalEnergies department
The business segment TotalEnergies Marketing & Services offers to its professional and private customers a wide range of energy products and services - petroleum products, bio-fuels, charging electric vehicles and related services, gas for transport by road and sea - to support mobility thereof and to help them reduce the carbon footprint. Every day more than 8 million customers visit our 16 000 fuel stations all over the world. As number four in the world in the field of lubricants, we design and sell high-efficiency products for motorisation, industrial and maritime sectors. So as to respond to the needs of our B2B customers best, we implement our sales forces, our international logistics network and our diverse offer. We operate in 107 countries where 31 000 employees of ours are close to all our clients.
About TotalEnergies company
TotalEnergies is a multi-energy company that manufactures and sells energy in the global scale: crude oil and bio-fuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energy sources and electric energy. 105 000 our staff members are involved in generation of the increasingly cheap, pure, reliable and available to the greatest possible number of people energy. Being active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies focuses its activities on sustainable development in all dimensions thereof, in particular in the area of its business projects and operations that shall contribute to increased quality of life of people all over the world.
Contact TotalEnergies
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679
TotalEnergies Legal note
The following terms “TotalEnergies”, “TotalEnergies Company” or “Company” herein are used for determination of TotalEnergies SE and consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Similarly, the following words “we”, “us” and “our” may be used with reference to such entities or staff members thereof. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly holds shares are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE shall not bear responsibility & liability for actions or omissions of such entities. This document may contain information and statements pertaining to the future, which are based on a number of economic data and assumptions adopted in the particular economic, competitive and regulatory environment. In the future, they may turn out to be inaccurate, as a result of being subjected to many risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any subsidiary thereof shall undertake to publicly update any information or declarations concerning the future, objectives or trends contained herein, both as a result of new information, future events or in another manner whatsoever. Information pertaining to the risk factors which may have an influence on financial results or activities of TotalEnergies is available in the latest Registration Document the French version of which has been submitted by TotalEnergies SE in the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and 20-F form has been submitted in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has been present in Poland since 1992 and has an established position on the market of motor oils. It offers products of two well-known 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
About Marketing & Services TotalEnergies department
The business segment TotalEnergies Marketing & Services offers to its professional and private customers a wide range of energy products and services - petroleum products, bio-fuels, charging electric vehicles and related services, gas for transport by road and sea - to support mobility thereof and to help them reduce the carbon footprint. Every day more than 8 million customers visit our 16 000 fuel stations all over the world. As number four in the world in the field of lubricants, we design and sell high-efficiency products for motorisation, industrial and maritime sectors. So as to respond to the needs of our B2B customers best, we implement our sales forces, our international logistics network and our diverse offer. We operate in 107 countries where 31 000 employees of ours are close to all our clients.
About TotalEnergies company
TotalEnergies is a multi-energy company that manufactures and sells energy in the global scale: crude oil and bio-fuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energy sources and electric energy. 105 000 our staff members are involved in generation of the increasingly cheap, pure, reliable and available to the greatest possible number of people energy. Being active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies focuses its activities on sustainable development in all dimensions thereof, in particular in the area of its business projects and operations that shall contribute to increased quality of life of people all over the world.
Contact TotalEnergies
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679
TotalEnergies Legal note
The following terms “TotalEnergies”, “TotalEnergies Company” or “Company” herein are used for determination of TotalEnergies SE and consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Similarly, the following words “we”, “us” and “our” may be used with reference to such entities or staff members thereof. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly holds shares are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE shall not bear responsibility & liability for actions or omissions of such entities. This document may contain information and statements pertaining to the future, which are based on a number of economic data and assumptions adopted in the particular economic, competitive and regulatory environment. In the future, they may turn out to be inaccurate, as a result of being subjected to many risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any subsidiary thereof shall undertake to publicly update any information or declarations concerning the future, objectives or trends contained herein, both as a result of new information, future events or in another manner whatsoever. Information pertaining to the risk factors which may have an influence on financial results or activities of TotalEnergies is available in the latest Registration Document the French version of which has been submitted by TotalEnergies SE in the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and 20-F form has been submitted in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
