Black does not mean waste, crystal transparent does not mean perfect, “thin” may be “thick” in reality, and “thick” - “thin” as water. It is high time to challenge stereotypes which are still perpetuated amongst some drivers. Yes, you can encounter them even in car workshops. We dispel the popular myths together with Andrzej Husiatyński, TotalEnergies expert.
Pitch-black?
For a lot of owners of diesel cars, the colour of oil which can be seen on a dipstick for the control of its level is a reason for frustration. In cars with high-pressure engines, amber-coloured oil quickly loses its transparency and becomes black. Frequently, such an effect appears... just after oil replacement, which causes that some people wonder whether a mechanic actually replaced the whole oil or frantically start to browse through the Internet to find the best rinses. Meanwhile, a change in oil colour is a very positive symptom which indicates absorption of soot. Research carried out by TotalEnergies confirm that such an oil definitely does not lose its properties because it is technologically designed to work in such conditions. It rinses out the accumulated soot, bonds it with itself and protects the engine against accumulation of deposits while maintaining its lubricating parameters all the time. Soot particles circulate in the oil all the time, not causing any harm. It is only important to replace oil and filter with adequate frequency in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. The absorption capabilities are designed with a certain reserve but out of concern for the engine you had better not come close to the limit values.
For a lot of owners of diesel cars, the colour of oil which can be seen on a dipstick for the control of its level is a reason for frustration. In cars with high-pressure engines, amber-coloured oil quickly loses its transparency and becomes black. Frequently, such an effect appears... just after oil replacement, which causes that some people wonder whether a mechanic actually replaced the whole oil or frantically start to browse through the Internet to find the best rinses. Meanwhile, a change in oil colour is a very positive symptom which indicates absorption of soot. Research carried out by TotalEnergies confirm that such an oil definitely does not lose its properties because it is technologically designed to work in such conditions. It rinses out the accumulated soot, bonds it with itself and protects the engine against accumulation of deposits while maintaining its lubricating parameters all the time. Soot particles circulate in the oil all the time, not causing any harm. It is only important to replace oil and filter with adequate frequency in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. The absorption capabilities are designed with a certain reserve but out of concern for the engine you had better not come close to the limit values.
Oils developed in ART (Age Resistance Technology) can take pride in the best absorption properties in the TotalEnergies range. It is an advanced, state-of-the-art formula ensuring perfect antioxidant and antiwear properties of a motor oil. Throughout the exploitation period, such oils can effectively absorb contaminants and protect the engine against their sedimentation.
As clean as a whistle?
Users of LPG propelled vehicles often underline with pride that their engines are exceptionally clean inside, like oil – the one used during replacement in practice slightly differs in terms of colour from the new oil. However, it turns out that appearances are deceptive. On the one hand, it is true – LPG is conducive to clean combustion and a large number of pollutants is not generated, as a result of which the oil maintains the colour similar to the fresh oil for a long time. On the other hand, there are chemical contaminants which are invisible to the naked eye, which negatively affect the oil and deteriorate its lubricating properties. It is all about sulphur off course, which LPG is contaminated with. That sulphur in the combustion process leads to generation of acidic compounds which penetrate to the oil, acidifying it. Oil can somehow neutralise such compounds, however we advise car users with LPG installation to meet the oil replacement deadlines very rigorously or to even shorten them by half.
Users of LPG propelled vehicles often underline with pride that their engines are exceptionally clean inside, like oil – the one used during replacement in practice slightly differs in terms of colour from the new oil. However, it turns out that appearances are deceptive. On the one hand, it is true – LPG is conducive to clean combustion and a large number of pollutants is not generated, as a result of which the oil maintains the colour similar to the fresh oil for a long time. On the other hand, there are chemical contaminants which are invisible to the naked eye, which negatively affect the oil and deteriorate its lubricating properties. It is all about sulphur off course, which LPG is contaminated with. That sulphur in the combustion process leads to generation of acidic compounds which penetrate to the oil, acidifying it. Oil can somehow neutralise such compounds, however we advise car users with LPG installation to meet the oil replacement deadlines very rigorously or to even shorten them by half.
“Thick” or “thin”?
Still a number of drivers and unfortunately also mechanics think that oil which, in packaging, at room temperature, seems to be thin, will be lubricating an engine very poorly, especially if it already has high mileage. It is nonsense because lubricating properties are determined by viscosity characteristics stated on the packaging according to the SAE standards, e.g. SAE 0W-20; 5W-30; 10W-60. Thus, it happens that “thick” oil in packaging becomes very “thin” in a hot engine and the other way round – “thin” oil in packaging may turn out to be “thicker” after warming up in the propulsion unit. This results from the oil viscosity indicator. For example, 15W-40 oil compared to 0W-40 oil will have higher viscosity at room temperature. At 1000C both will have the same viscosity, however at higher temperatures, i.e. in hotter places in the engine, 0W40 oil will feature higher viscosity than 15W-40 oil. Obviously, the terms “thick” and “thin” should be taken with a grain of salt, as in this category the sole correct term is “viscosity”.
Still a number of drivers and unfortunately also mechanics think that oil which, in packaging, at room temperature, seems to be thin, will be lubricating an engine very poorly, especially if it already has high mileage. It is nonsense because lubricating properties are determined by viscosity characteristics stated on the packaging according to the SAE standards, e.g. SAE 0W-20; 5W-30; 10W-60. Thus, it happens that “thick” oil in packaging becomes very “thin” in a hot engine and the other way round – “thin” oil in packaging may turn out to be “thicker” after warming up in the propulsion unit. This results from the oil viscosity indicator. For example, 15W-40 oil compared to 0W-40 oil will have higher viscosity at room temperature. At 1000C both will have the same viscosity, however at higher temperatures, i.e. in hotter places in the engine, 0W40 oil will feature higher viscosity than 15W-40 oil. Obviously, the terms “thick” and “thin” should be taken with a grain of salt, as in this category the sole correct term is “viscosity”.
We say it over and over again because practice shows that such information has a negligible clout in a clash with conservative views. In practice, searching for oil with the highest possible viscosity is, however, very risky since standards of an engine manufacturer are the priority. Too low or too high viscosity is reflected in a change of engine operation resistance, functioning of hydraulic elements, e.g. valve lifters or valve timing “variators” or tensioners. In consequence, an ill-considered oil change may end up in the best case with increased loudness of engine work and decreased performance, and in the worst case e.g. with breaking of the timing chain.
Engineer Andrzej Husiatyński, TotalEnergies:
“Contemporary motor oils are so advanced that they require the buyer to carefully read labels. In reality, even knowledge of the oil viscosity itself is not sufficient yet because within the limit of one already several variants of oil appear, which differ e.g. in terms of permitted values of manufacturers. You should definitely not rely on the appearance of oil in packaging either, especially since we usually see it at room temperature. Colour, transparency and smell, during exploitation, do not tell us anything about lubricating properties and tend to be misleading.”
“Contemporary motor oils are so advanced that they require the buyer to carefully read labels. In reality, even knowledge of the oil viscosity itself is not sufficient yet because within the limit of one already several variants of oil appear, which differ e.g. in terms of permitted values of manufacturers. You should definitely not rely on the appearance of oil in packaging either, especially since we usually see it at room temperature. Colour, transparency and smell, during exploitation, do not tell us anything about lubricating properties and tend to be misleading.”
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).
