Elements affecting engine life

Faster wear of individual engine components and increased fuel consumption are often the result of negligence, which seems banal and insignificant to us.

Faster wear of individual engine components and increased fuel consumption are often the result of negligence, which seems banal and insignificant to us. Very often the cause of increased fuel consumption is braking in neutral. According to steering technique, standard braking should be done in gear with the engine supporting the brakes. Contrary to popular belief, this combination reduces fuel consumption. When we brake with the engine, the fuel supply is cut off, and when we brake with the clutch disengaged, the engine needs fuel to keep idling.

Engine braking also reduces stress on braking system components, which extends brake life. The clutch should only be depressed at speeds below about 20 km/h, when the stopped wheels of the vehicle can stop the engine.

Another thing is engine speed. The so-called "twisting" of the engine at very high speeds, when the needle moves into the red field of the tachometer, as this causes faster wear of engine parts, leads to less efficient oil distribution, and therefore prevents proper lubrication.

On the other hand, revs that are too low cause the engine to overload, require relatively more fuel to maintain revs at a higher load, and tend to overheat.

The best solution is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, which usually indicate in the car's owner's manual which rpm range for a given engine is the most economical and which speeds are assigned to each gear.

The old adage "who greases the rims" is extremely important in the case of the driver. The car engine needs engine oil. When choosing an oil, follow the recommendations of the car manufacturer, paying attention to the viscosity of the oil, its type (synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral) and its purpose, for example, for gasoline, diesel or gas units.

Engine oil changes its properties with the mileage of the car, so a new car will have mostly synthetic oil in the sump, but with mileage (about 100 km) you will have to change the oil to semi-synthetic. This is due to the natural wear of engine parts. Over time, the gaps between the interacting elements increase, which requires the use of ever thicker oils. That is why it is so important to check the oil level regularly and change it periodically.

– Drivers usually remember to change the oil according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, between exchanges, they do not control its level. Cyclic checking of the oil level is a guarantee of correct and trouble-free operation of the engine. Too low an oil level in a car engine can cause it to seize and, as a result, costly repairs. It should be emphasized that an excessively high level of oil in the sump can damage the engine seals. explains Andrzej Tippe, Shell Helix specialist. Experts recommend regularly checking the oil level in the engine once a month, topping up the engine if necessary, ensuring proper lubrication and cooling of car engine parts.

Owners of vehicles with a turbocharger, which is also lubricated and cooled by engine oil, should remember to properly brake before turning off the car engine. If, after driving at high speeds, immediately after stopping the engine, the engine oil will drain into the sump, and the turbine will run dry, which will dramatically accelerate its wear and, in extreme cases, can lead to breakdown. A useful rule of thumb is that after driving at an average speed of 100 km / h, you brake the turbine at idle for about a minute.