Mitovi i legende o motornim uljima (prvi deo), Myths and Legends about engine oils (part one)

# 1

MIT: Jedan brend motornog ulja je bolji od drugog zato što daje veći pritisak ulja na meraču.

Stvarnost:

Pritisak ulja u sistemu prvenstveno (i praktično jedino*) zavisi od viskoznosti ulja u datom trenutku. Viskoznija ulja obično stvaraju veći pritisak ulja. Uzmite u obzir da viskoznost zavisi od temperature tako da je i pritisak ulja takođe zavisan od temperature (ulja). Slični uslovi rada nisu dovoljni za poređenje jer temperatura ulja zavisi i od vremenskih uslova. Ulja različitog kvaliteta a iste viskozne gradacije bi trebala da daju sličan pritisak ulja u sistemu.

Podled sa strane:

Često se (kod multigradnih ulja) pritisak ulja koristi da bi se procenilo da se ulje (polimeri) “razbilo” što ima malo zasnovanosti ali je isuviše neprecizno za prave zaključke.

MYTH: A brend of motor oil is the better then other because my engine shows higher oil pressure.

Reality:

The pressure of oil primarily (and practically only) depends on the viscosity at the time of measurement.

Oils with higher viscosity usually show higher oil pressure. Take in mind that viscosity depends on temperature so the oil pressure is also affected by temperature. Similar operating conditions are not enough for comparation ‘cos oil temp. depends from weather conditions. Oils of different quality, of the same viscosity grades, would be expected to give the similar engine oil pressure.

Side way of the myth:

Often (for multigrade oils) oil pressure is used to estimate the broke up of oil (polymers) that has little grounding but is too imprecise to make conclusions.

* pri istom nivou (istoj količini) motornog ulja, naravno; at the same level (same quantity) of motor oil, of course.

#2

MIT: Ne mogu se mešati mineralna i sintetička ulja (nastaje gel - ?!?).

Stvarnost: Mineralna i sintetička ulja se mogu mešati. Druga je stvar što to nije dobra praksa i nema mnogo smisla, osim u hitnim slučajevima.

Pogled sa strane:

Mit potiče iz ’70-tih i početka ’80-tih XX veka kada je bilo zrno istine u ovakvoj tvrdnji. Ne važi bar četvrt veka (neverovatno koliko su neke stvari ukorenjene).

Myth: You can not mix mineral and synthetic oils.

Reality:

You can mix mineral engine oils with synthetic ones. It is just not good practice and there is no point, except in an emergency.

Side way of the myth:

The myth comes from the 70s and early 80s of the twentieth century when there was a grain of truth in this assertion. Not valid at least a quarter century (amazing how some things are rooted).

Aneks: Ima i tvrdnji da posle mešanja mineralnog ulja i sintetike ulje PENUŠA. Jedina pena će biti kad pobesnim zbog ovakvih gluposti (ili od silne priče).
Annex: There are also claims that after mixing mineral oil and synthetic, oil FOAMING. The only foam will be when I get angry because of such stupidity (or a lot of talking).

Aneks 2: Osnova mita je činjenica da mešanjem veoma različitih tipova ulja može dovesti do problema. Veoma različitih tipova ulja (u industriji). Reduktorska ulja sa turbinskim ili oba sa nekim hidrauličnim ili slično. Problem je u hemiji (aditiva). Dobar savet je: ako niste sigurni, ne mešajte (tako) različita maziva.

Annex 2: Base of the myth is fact that mixing very different type of oils could lead to problem. Very different type of oils (in industry). Gear oils with turbine oils and both with some hydraulic oils or similar. It is chemistry (of additive) related problem. Good advice is: when you are in doubt, do not mix different lubricants. 

#3

MIT: Koristio sam godinama (preporučeni) Brend ulja; sada ne mogu da promenim proizvođača.

Stvaranost:

Proizvođača ulja (brend) možete promeniti u svakom trenutku, vodite računa da koristite isti nivo kvaliteta koji je preporučio proizvođač motora.

MYTH: I’ve used Brand X in my engine for several years; Now I can’t switch brands.

Reality:

You can change the brand oil used any time, just continue to use the same high quality level recommended by the engine manufacturer.

#4

Mit: Ne smete mešati ulja različitih proizvođača.

Stvarnost:

Ovo samo nije najbolja praksa. Međutim neće biti ozbiljnih problema ukoliko dodate ulje drugog proizvođača istog kvaliteta. Mnogo je važnije održati potrebnu količinu (nivo) ulja u motoru.

Myth: You can’t mix brands of motor oil.

Fact:

Mixing brands is just not the best practice. However, no serious problems will occur if you add a different brand of equivalent quality. It is more important to maintain proper oil level.

#5

Mit: ne treba se dosipavati ulje izedju izmena (!?)

Realnost:

Ovo je već veoma opasan mit. Lošiji savet od ovoga teško da ćete dobiti. Potpuno netačno i veoma štetno!! Ulje treba dosipavati u cilju održanja potrebnog nivoa ulja u motoru.

Pogled sa strane:

Moguće je da ulje ne treba dosipavati ali samo u slučaju kratkih intervala izmene (5000km ili 7500km). To nikako ne znači da to ne treba raditi ili da je loše (upravo je suprotno).

Myth: You should not top up the oil between oil changes (!?)

Reality:

This is already a very dangerous myth. You will hardly get worse than this advice. Completely false and very harmful! You should top up the oil in order to maintain the required level of oil.

Side way of the myth:

It is possible that you should not top up oil but only for short oil change interval (3000miles or 5000miles). This does not mean that it should not be done or that it is bad (just the opposite).

#5.1

MIT: Kada počneš (zapravo AKO dosipavaš*) da dosipavaš ulje tvoj motor je zreo za generalku.

Stvarnost:

?! (ko li je smislio ovakvu glupost? Udruženje mehaničara?)

MYTH: When you start (IF you top up**) to top up your engine oil  is ready for overhaul.

Reality:

?! (who do you think came up with such nonsense? Mechanics Association?)

* Ako počneš da dosipavaš u slučaju da je između zamena potrošnja bila od max. do min. (oko jednog litra) onda si se naravno samo opametio; čak iako je potrošnja sa tih litar (ili pola) porasla par dl ali ne raste progresivno, sve je naravno O.K.
** If you start to top up and you did not do it, you are just smarter than before (consumption was about 1 quart between changes); even if consumption raised for few dl and stop there, everything is O.K. (just check the level).

#6

MIT: Kad jednom sipate sintetiku u motor ne možete se vratiti na mineralno ili polusintetičko ulje.

Stvarnost:

Sintetička ulja su potpuno kompatibilna sa mineralnim i polusintetičkim uljima. Možete prelaziti sa jednog na drugo u svakom trenutku, promenite obavezno (kao i uvek) filter ulja pri zameni. Prelazak na mineralno ulje je loša odluka jer sintetička bolje štite motor. Opravdano je jedino zbog smanjenja troškova održavanja (u slučaju male godišnje kilometraže).

MYTH: Once I use synthetic motor oil in my car, I cannot switch back to conventional motor oil.

Reality:

Synthetic motor oils are compatible with conventional and part synthetic (blend) motor oils. You can switch between types of oil in any time, just change the oil filter (as always) when changing oil. Swiching from synthetics to convencional is bad decision for synthetic deliver superior engine protection versus conventional oils. Only justified due to the reduction of maintenance costs (in case of small mileage per year).

#7

MIT: Sintetička ulja su samo za nove automobile.

Stvarnost:

Sintetička ulja se mogu koristiti i kod starih vozila kao i kod novih, čak i kod onih kod kojih je korišćeno mineralno ulje.

Pogled sa strane:

Vidi: 7.1, 7.2 i 7.3

MYTH: Synthetic oil is only for new cars.

Reality:

Synthetic motor oil can be used in old as well as new cars, including vehicles in which conventional oil was previously used.

Side way of myth:

See: 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3

#7.1

MIT: Pri prelasku sa mineralnog na sintetičko prvo morate koristiti polu-sintetičko ulje (i to više puta).

Stvarnost:

Ne morate! (možete ali nije obavezno)

Pogled sa strane:

Možda (ali samo MOŽDA) pri prvoj zameni sintetika brže potamni i potrošnja ulja bude nešto veća. Možda je dobro prvi put skratiti interval zamene. Pri sledećoj promeni sve je O.K. (treba biti uporan a ne zbog manjih porblema odustajati).

MYTH: When switching from mineral to synthetic, you must use a semi-synthetic oil (few times).

Reality:

You do not must! (you can but it is not necessarily)

Side way of the myth:

Maybe (just MAYBE) at the first oil change synthetic would darkens quickly and oil consumption could be slightly higher. Perhaps a is good to shortened the first drain interval. In subsequent change all will be O.K. (you have to be persistent and not give up because of minor problems).

#7.2

MIT: Sintetička ulja uzrokuju curenje ulja (iz zaptivki) kod starijih vozila.

Stvarnost:

Sintetička ulja prolaze testove kompatibilnosti sa elastomerima od kojih se prave zaptivke. Ako je staro vozilo (motor) u dobrom stanju i nema curenja sintetička ulja neće biti njihohov uzrok.

Pogled sa strane:

U retkim slučajevima (vozila starija od 30 godina) postoje izuzeci. Tadašnji materijali mogu biti značajno drugačiji od onih iz poslednje dve decenije. Naročito kod tadašnjih vozila iz Istočne Evrope i Rusije.

MYTH: Synthetic oil cause oil leak (from the seals) of older vehicles.

Reality:

Synthetic oils are tested to ensure that they are compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, synthetic does not cause leaks.

Side way of the myth:

In rare cases (vehicles older than 30 years), there are exceptions. Then materials may be significantly different from those of the past two decades.

#7.3

MIT:  Kome je stalo? (do svega prethodnog); Starija vozila ionako ne zahtevaju kvalitetna ulja.

Stvarnost:

Stariji motori su podložniji habanju. Ovi motori zahtevaju kvalitetno podmazivanje da bi se zaštitili vitalni delovi motora i produžio njegov vek.

Pogled sa (druge) strane:

Više u sledećem delu (specifične potrebe starijeg motora)

Myth: Who cares? (for all above); there is no need to use quality oil for the old car.

Fact: Older engines are more prone to wear and tear. An older engine needs quality lubrication to protect main engine parts and ensure its longer life.

Side way of the myth:

More in the second part (specific needs of older engine)

P.S.
Mit 7.2 dopuna
Status ovog mita je zapravo: "moguć". Caka (uvek ima neka caka) je u tome što je stanje zaptivki  10 ili 15 godina starog automobila uvek pod znakom pitanja. Za još starije je lako reći da je loše, čak iako se to ne primećuje. Pod "starim vozilom" proizvođači ulja smatraju ona od oko (ili malo preko) 10 godina. Zato budite oprezni sa zaista "starijim vozilom". Zbog svojih interesa "uljari" nameću sintetička ulja i vozilima starim 20 ili 25 godina što može i da razbije ovaj mit. Iako će kod većine vozila sve biti O.K. treba biti spreman na zamenu zaptivki (koje su uglavnom već zrele za to pa će sintetika samo preblem istaći iako neće biti glavni uzrok). 
Myth 7.2 amendment
Status of this myth is actually a "possible". Catch (there is always a catch) is that the condition of seals for 10 or 15 years old car is always in doubt. For even older is easy to say it's bad, even though it does not notice. Under the "old vehicles"  oil producers consider it around (or just over) 10 years. So be really careful with the really "older vehicle". Because of their interest "oilers" impose synthetic oils for the vehicles that are 20 or 25 years old which can break this myth. Although the majority of vehicles will all be O.K. you should be ready to replace gaskets (which are mostly already ripe for it and the synthetic will only point out that but will not be the main reason).

P.P.S.
Tekst o mitovima (i legendama, ovo je malo drugačija kategorija) sam obećao još na početku pisanja bloga. Sa zakašnjenjem od 4 godine je ugledao svetlo monitora. Taman za leto i ove vrućine (preko 30°C) pre par "teških" tekstova (ostavljam za jesen).
Text about the myths (and legends, this is a little different category) I promised at the beginning of writing a blog. With a delay of 4 years it has seen the light of the monitor. Just right for the summer and the heat (above 90°F) and before a few "difficult" texts (I leave them for the fall).