Does black engine oil mean that it needs to be changed as soon as possible? This is a common belief among drivers. Adam Klimek, an expert at TotalEnergies, explains why a change in the color of a lubricant is a natural phenomenon and does not necessarily indicate wear and tear.
Why does oil change color?
When the engine is running, the oil circulates in the lubrication system and flows near the combustion chambers. There, it captures and carries away contaminants. This is possible thanks to its dispersive properties: the oil disperses soot particles, preventing them from settling on engine components. The largest contaminants are retained by the oil filter, while smaller ones circulate in the oil until it is changed.
This is why regular lubricant replacement is so important – not because it changes color, but because at some point it reaches the limits of its ability to bind contaminants.
Modern oils and “dirty” appearance
Oils developed using ART (Age Resistance Technology) perform particularly well in this respect. This is an advanced formula that provides high resistance to oxidation and wear, while allowing the oil to effectively absorb contaminants throughout its service life, protecting the engine from their accumulation.
The color of the oil is not an indicator of its quality
To properly care for your engine, you should:
• change the oil regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations, • in severe operating conditions, shorten the intervals between oil changes according to the manufacturer's recommendations,
• use products that meet the relevant standards and approvals,
• do not judge the condition of the oil solely on the basis of its color.
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About TotalEnergies Marketing Polska
TotalEnergies Marketing Polska has been operating in Poland since 1992 and has an established position in the engine oil market. Its portfolio includes products from two well-known brands: TotalEnergies and ELF. The company is active in the industrial lubricants segment, providing solutions that support the reliability and efficiency of processes in manufacturing plants. Since 2008, TotalEnergies has also offered bituminous products and has been active in the market for industrial specialty fluids. TotalEnergies is also expanding its range of agricultural products under the Agri brand, supporting modern solutions for the agricultural sector.
About TotalEnergies Marketing and Services
TotalEnergies Marketing and Services offers its business and residential customers a wide range of energy products and services – petroleum products, biofuels, electric vehicle charging, LNG for maritime transport, aviation fuels, bitumen, LPG and clean cooking solutions – to support their mobility and help them reduce their carbon footprint. Every day, more than 6 million customers worldwide visit our 13,000 service stations and use related services (mobility cards, car washes, catering, etc.). As the world’s fourth-largest lubricant manufacturer, we design and sell high-performance products for the automotive, industrial and marine sectors. To best meet the needs of our B2B customers, we leverage our sales force, international logistics network and a diverse, tailor-made range of products. We operate in over 100 countries, where our 25,000 employees are close to all our customers.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global, integrated energy company involved in the production and sale of energy: crude oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewable energy and electricity. More than 100,000 of our employees are committed to ensuring that as many people as possible have access to energy that is more reliable, affordable and sustainable. TotalEnergies operates in around 120 countries, and sustainable development is at the heart of its strategy, projects and operations.
Contact TotalEnergies
Bartosz Cyran | bartosz.cyran@proautomotive.pl | +48 662 454 679
Legal Notice
The terms “TotalEnergies,” “TotalEnergies Company,” or “the Company” in this document are used to refer to TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Similarly, the words “we,” “us,” and “our” may also be used to refer to these entities or their employees. Entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly holds an interest are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE is not liable for the acts or omissions of these entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive, and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to numerous risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries undertakes to publicly update any forward-looking information or statements, objectives, or trends contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Information regarding risk factors that may affect TotalEnergies’ financial results or operations is included in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which was filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and in Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
