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

Legenda #3: (nastavak pitanja no. 20 iz prošlog teksta)

(ali) mejdžorsi pružaju (naj)bolju tehničku podršku.

Velika zabluda. Može da bude ali obično nije (tako).

Mejdžorsi pružaju sliku da im je stalo i do svakog individualnog potrošača, ali zapravo morate biti (izuzetno) velika kompanija da bi na vas uopšte obratili pažnju. U tehničkoj podršci za “šušljake” obično radi par radnika kojima čak to i nije jedini posao. Valjda vam je jasno čemu se možete nadati. Njihove super laboratorije su obično centralizovane (kontinentalno ili regionalno) pa pogađajte koliko mogu da pokriju od takvih oblasti. U manjim državama često nemaju direktno predstavništvo (ili je to “tašna-mašna” kancelarija) a distributeri obično imaju samo jednog inženjera koji je i inženjer primene i prodaje i plus “devojka za sve”. Tehnička podrška manjih proizvođača može biti i bolja. Na žalost ni to nije uvek slučaj, što je veliki minus za njih jer je to oblast gde mogu tući mejdžorse.

Legend #3: (Continued questions no. 20 of the last text)

(but) majors provide better technical support (than others)

Great delusion. It could be but usually is not (so).

Majors provide (just) an image that they care about each individual consumer, but actually you have to be (very) large company to paying attention. In the technical support for the "miserables" (common people like you and me) usually works a few of employees and even this is not their only job. I hope you realize what you can hope for. Their super labs are usually centralized (continental or regional) and guess how they can cover such areas. In smaller countries they often do not have direct representatives (or is it 'bag-tie' offices) and distributors usually have only one engineer who is salesman as engineer. Smaller producers often can provide better technical support. Unfortunately this is not always the case, which is a big minus for them because this is an area where they can beat the Majors.

Mit # 11:

Ulje u mom motoru je dovoljno dobro, s obzirom da već godinama nemam problema sa motorom.

Dakle, zašto da plaćam više za kvalitetnije ulje?

Stvarnost:

Zato što simptoma nema ne znači da ne postoje problemi (sa motorom). Loše (ili nedovoljno dobro) ulje u naizgled dobrom motoru obično vodi ka problemima vezanim sa: habanjem, korozijom, depozitima i sl.

Uticaj ulja lošijeg kvaliteta se ispoljavaju samo na duži vremenski period. Za maksimalnu zaštitu uvek koristite kvalitetn(ij)a ulja.

Myth # 11:

Oil in my car (engine) is good enough since I haven't had any problem with my engine for several years. So, why to pay extra money for higher quality engine oil?

Reality:

Because you haven't had any symptoms doesn't mean problems don't exist.

Bad (or not good enough) oil in seemingly good engine could lead to problem related with: wear, corrosion, deposits and similar. The impact of inferior quality oils is manifested only for a longer period.

For maximum protection always use high(er) quality engine oils.

Mit #12: ulje u motoru uopšte ne treba menjati.

(čista) Besmislica!

(bazna ulja mogu izdržati nekoliko zamena ulja, naročito sintetička, što je i osnova reciklaže ulja. Ipak, ovo ne omogućava “večni život” ulju)

Myth #12: You don’t need to change engin oil.

(clear) Nonsense!

(base oils can withstand few (many) oil changes, especially synthetic, which is the basis for oil recycling. However, this does not provide "eternal life" of oil)

#12.1

Normalni intervali zamene ulja, a posebno oni za “teške” uslove su isuviše oprezno dati od strane proizvođača (vozila). Bezbedno je povećati ih.

Stvarnost:

Intervali koje daju proizvođači vozila nisu konzervativni, pogotovu u Evropi. Nije dobro prekoračivati ih. Do 10% se uzima kao dozvoljena tolerancija a ni 20% nije strašno (ako se ne radi stalno), ali veća produženja su sigurno loša za motor.

#12.1

The normal oil change intervals and especially “severe” ones recommended manufacturers are conservative. It’s safe to extend the time between oil changes.

Reality:

The intervals given by the vehicle manufacturers are not conservative, especially in Europe. It is not good to exceed them. Up to 10% is taken as a tolerance and even 20% is not bad (if not always), but greater extensions is certainly bad for the engine.

#12.2 U redu. Ipak, sa sintetičkim uljem je to moguće, bez posledica.

(pogledaj prethodni tekst, pitanje br. 15)

Svaki slučaj je drugačiji i teško je uopštavati. Istina je da se LL intervali mogu postići samo sa sintetičkim uljima ali oni su već produženi.

#12.2 O.K. However, with synthetic oil it is possible, without any consequences.

Theoretically yes, practically no. You can (possibly) shorten the interval for severe driving conditions for less. Instead of the usual 50% can go up to 80% of the standard. For each case is different so it is difficult generalize. The truth is that longlife intervals can only be achieved with synthetic oils, but they are already extended.

#12.3 Analizom ulja se intervali mogu produžiti.

Verovali ili ne, odgovor je NE.

Ovo je za poseban tekst, ali analize ne služe za ovakve svrhe. Čak i idealna analiza nije razlog za produžavanje intervala zamene. Objašnjenje je prilično dugo, a zalazi i u teške teme, kao što je: “Ograničenja analiza korišćenog ulja”.

#12.3 Oil analysis could extend oil change intervals.

Believe it or not, the answer is NO.

This is for a whole post, but the analysis are not used for such purposes. Even a perfect analysis is not a reason for extending drain intervals. The explanation is quite long, and has entered the tough issues, such as: "used oil analysis – limitations".

# 12.4 (Aman) Nisam li ja upravo pisao da 10W-40 može da se koristi duplo duže od preporučenog?

Čitajte pažljivije. Sam sam stao na oko 30% preko (uz obilno dolivanje ulja). Uzgred ni obilno dolivanje ulja ne može (mnogo) produžiti interval zamene (vidi #12.5) već će (samo) poboljšati stanje ulja u motoru. Dobro stanje ulja u motoru znači zapravo sledeće:

“Može ulje al’ ne može motor”.

# 12.4 It is hard for translation, so it will be interpretated.

There is text where I commented analysis of used oil (in my car). I extended oil change interval by 30% and oil condition was good enough even for more. But it does not mean that it is good practice. By the way, you can not extend oil change interval with frequent (forced) top-up (or at least not much). Situation with good oil analysis is:

“Oil can (do) more (miles), but engine can not”.

#12.5

(“Oca (li) ti očinjeg”) Valjda je (bar) istina da se ulje ne menja kada motor mnogo troši ulja (aman).

NIJE ISTINA!

Ulje treba menjati na normalnim intervalima izmene čak i kad se dosipa celokupna količina ulja u motoru između zamene. Mnogo je razloga za to. Recimo, kako izbaciti prašinu koja prodre kroz filter vazduha?

#12.5

I guess that (at least) is the truth that the oil does not need change when the engine consumes (much) oil.

NOT TRUE!

Oil should be changed at normal intervals changes even if the full volume of oil in engine is added into it between replacements. There are many reasons for this. For example, how to remove the dust that enters the air filter?

Legenda #4 Viskoznije ulje je bolje (za zaštitu motora).

Može biti baš suprotno. Manje viskozno ulje je bolje za startovanje motora, naročito kada je hladno. Zbog toga, bolje štiti motor i uzrokuje manje habanja kod startovanja (i u prvim minutima rada) motora. Ulje manje viskoznosti smanjuje unutrašnje trenje u motoru. Ovo dovodi do smanjenja potrošnje goriva.

Viskozne gradacije koje daje proizvođač zavise od konstrukcije motora i parametra kao što su tolerancije u motoru. Ako je preporučeno više VG-a onda je bolje koristiti što manje viskozno ulje dok(le) god je motor relativno nov. Viskoznija ulja mogu biti (ali ne kao pravilo) bolja kada je motor star, ima povećanu potrošnju ulja i sl.

Treba razmotriti korišćenje viskoznijih ulja za sportski stil vožnje (Track Day).

Vuča (prikolice ili drugog automobila) i visoke spoljne temperature vazduha su razlog za korišćenje viskoznijeg (preporučenog) ulja.

Legend #4 Thicker engine oil is better for your engine and increases engine life.

It could be even opposite. Thinner engine oil is better for easy starting, particularly in cold weather. So, it protect motor better and cause less wear during the engine start. Lower viscosity oils reduce internal engine friction. This lead to better fuel economy.

The viscosity grades recommended by the vehicle manufacturer depend on engine design and parameters like tolerances within the engine. If several grades are recommended by manufacturer then it better to use “thinner” oil if your motor is (relatively) new. Thicker oil could be (but not as a rule) better when engine is old (late peak life phase), has the high consumption of oil, and similar.

You should consider using “thicker” oil in sports driving style (Track Day).

Towing (a trailer) and high temperatures of air are also reasons to consider use of more viscous oil in engine.

Lenenda (legend) #5 Treba koristiti ulje viskoznosti iste kao kad je motor bio nov od početka do kraja.

(You need to use an oil viscosity the same as when the engine was new from the beginning to the end of its life.)

U principu je tačno. Kada se pojavi povećana potrošnja ulja, motor remontovati. Školski ali ne tako primenjivo u praksi. Podrazumeva velike troškove koji ponekad nemaju zasnovanost. Viskoznija ulja zaista mogu smanjiti potrošnju ulja, i donekle odložiti remont. Ovo će poskupeti kasniju intervenciju ali ako se ona neće ni raditi, onda će produžiti zivotni vek motoru (makar koliko, sve je korisno u takvim slučajevima).

Ukoliko motor ne troši mnogo ulja ne treba ići iznad maksimalno preporučene viskozne gradacije (u uputstvu vozila), ili (ako je navedena samo jedna) povećati u što manjoj meri (jedna VG naviše).

In general, it is true. When the increased oil consumption, then do the engine overhaul. Academic but not so applicable in practice. Involves high costs that do not have foundation in all cases. Viscous oil can actually reduce oil consumption and somewhat delay repairs. This will increase the price of intervention but if it will not be done (at all), it will extend the life span of the engine (even fractionally extension is counting in such cases).

If the engine does not consume much oil you should not go above the maximum recommended viscosity grades (in the user manual), or (if there is only one viscosity grade recommended by manufacturer) increase the viscosity as little as possible (one VG higher).