In order to change the engine oil in a car, no special knowledge is required. Anyone can easily understand the symbols on the canister label. But still, even such a simple procedure raises a number of questions for some drivers.

The first thing that catches your eye is this is a designation similar to 10W40. This incomprehensible combination of letters and numbers is nothing more than viscosity according to the SAE standard, accepted throughout the world. The first number is the thickening index, depending on the temperature at which the substance does not lose its properties (ranges from 0 to 15). The lower this indicator, the lower the temperature at which it will not thicken. The letter indicates the season for which the oil is intended. For example: W from English “winter”, that is, “winter”. After seasonality, indicate the viscosity at one hundred degree engine temperature. The thicker the oil, the higher this figure; it can range from 30 to 60. To find out what exactly is suitable for a particular car, it is best to read the instructions. If your car has difficulty starting in winter, you can pamper it with oil with a low thickening index. For example, instead of the nameplate 10W40, use 5W30 or 5W40 motor oil. In the summer, such manipulations will be useless.

Engine oil quality index

The next designation is API quality index, it looks like a combination of two English letters – SF, SG. The further up the alphabet the second letter is, the higher the quality. Most old foreign cars are prescribed SF oil, while new inexpensive import cars require SG.

Using products labeled SG instead of SF is a very good option, but more advanced ones are not worth buying, because they are usually synthetic. If the instructions require the use of mineral oil, synthetics can be harmful and lead to increased oil consumption. A more liquid synthetic product will pierce the seals, and besides, synthetics are not intended to increase the wear resistance of the engine.

Changing a car from mineral oil to synthetic oil, although difficult, is quite possible. To do this, you will need to flush the engine with a special compound. You cannot believe those who claim that switching from mineral water to semi-synthetic is safe for the engine. The point here is that the word “semi-synthetic” can mean anything.

ATTENTION: When buying oil, it is worth remembering that counterfeits are very common, especially for popular brands. Therefore, it is better to avoid car markets and roadside kiosks and contact our WEBER-AUTO service center for motor oil, where they will change it for you and help you purchase High quality motor oil.