Features of engine oils oil 5w50
Content
Every motorist is interested in ensuring that his car lasts as long as possible without breakdowns and malfunctions. That is why you must invest a lot of effort and money in the maintenance of your car.
In this case, special attention should be paid to the car engine. The service life of the machine as a whole depends on the technical condition of this unit. The cylinder engine is a complex structure in which each of its elements is in close interaction with each other.
In this regard, for the reliability of such a clutch and in order to avoid overheating and the resulting frictional deformation, special automotive oils are used. There is a wide range of them on the market, while certain types of oils are designed for different types of engines operating in different climatic conditions. Today we will talk about the 5w50 motor oil group, as one of the most popular in Russian conditions.
What you need to know about this group
According to the accepted classification, all motor oils are basically divided into three groups:
- Mineral. Mineral grease is a product of the direct distillation of petroleum. It has a relatively poor performance as it quickly thickens and leaves behind solids, which ultimately leads to a reduction in engine life. However, these shortcomings are offset by the low price of the product.
- Semi-synthetics. "Semi-synthetics" has a mineral base, but contains synthetic additives. Therefore, the performance properties of the oil are relatively good at the same low price.
- Synthetics. "Synthetics" is a motor oil that is obtained completely artificially by the synthesis of various chemical compounds. The performance properties of such a product are high, while the cost of synthetic lubricant is also very high.
This pool can be worn in almost any weather conditions, which is extremely important in Russia, where the temperature can vary significantly throughout the year.
Oils of the 5w50 group are fully synthetic. They are distinguished by excellent quality, as well as the ability to use in various types of engines: gasoline and diesel.
Technical specifications
The technical characteristics of this group can be judged by the index with which they are indicated. So, for motor oils, the classification developed by the American Association of Automotive Engineers is used. The SAE standard, as it is also called, is used almost all over the world.
Therefore, the decoding of 5w50 must be considered comprehensively. The first digit indicates the degree to which the winter viscosity threshold has been reached. A temperature of -40 Celsius was taken as the base value.
This temperature will correspond to the number "0" at the beginning of the index. The number "5" corresponds to an increase in this indicator by 5 degrees. So, the operation of oils of this group is allowed at negative temperatures up to -35 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is lower, the lubricant becomes too viscous, which prevents the engine from running normally.
The viscosity index of lubricants in this group is 184. This is an extremely high indicator, which allows the use of oil in all weather conditions. This result was achieved through the use of hydrocracking technology in conjunction with the addition of polymeric thickeners.
The letter w, in fact, is an abbreviation for winter. Therefore, this designation confirms that the oil can be used in winter.
The number 50 at the end of the index, on the contrary, indicates the maximum temperature at which the lubricant does not lose its technical properties during operation.
So, the temperature range of oils of the 5w50 group is from -35 to +50 degrees Celsius, which allows them to be used for cars operated in most of Russia. Remember that most of the populated territory of the country is in a temperate climate, in which temperature anomalies are an extremely rare occurrence.
Which engines are suitable for
Lubricants 5w50 can be used for gasoline, diesel and gas turbine engines. In other words, for the vast majority of power plants used in modern automotive industry.
At the same time, unlike other groups, oils of this group are successfully used in those conditions when lubricants with a lower viscosity index cannot provide the desired effect from their use. Let's dwell on this in more detail.
Sports and heavy duty engines
The power plants of sports cars and special equipment operate in a special mode. Due to the increased power and the use of turbocharging, engine parts are exposed to significantly more adverse factors such as high pressure and temperature.
In this regard, the requirements for the viscosity of automotive oil for such power plants are increasing. Lubricants of category 5w50 are able to protect the unit from adverse effects and extend its service life.
Engines with a high degree of wear CPG
Even under normal operating conditions, wear of the cylinder-piston group of the power plant gradually occurs. This is unavoidable, since the service life of the CPG is limited. The wear of the cylinder-piston group of the engine, as a rule, is observed on cars with an impressive mileage, ranging from 150 to 200 thousand kilometers.
To extend the life of such a unit, experts recommend using oils with a high viscosity index, which can significantly stop the wear process of the CPG.
Technically, this is due to the fact that 5w50 group lubricants contain a significant amount of polymer additives that create a kind of barrier between the elements of the CPG. Due to this, the degree of mutual friction decreases, the pressure on the valves increases, and the engine consumes less fuel while maintaining its performance.
Brand rating
Below are the top 5 brands of automotive lubricants that are widely represented on the domestic market.
- Mobil 1 5w50 FS X 1. Mainly used for passenger cars. The cost is about 700 rubles per 1 liter. Today it is the leader in terms of sales in the Russian market. Feedback on the composition and quality is only positive.
- Oil Bardahl XTR Racing 39,67 5w50. The oil is excellent for sports engines running on gasoline. The price of the product is quite high - about 1200 rubles per liter, while the quality of the product is beyond doubt.
- Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5w50. The product is designed for gasoline and diesel power plants. The cost is relatively high - about 800 rubles per 1 liter.
- Elf Evolution 900 5w50. Product of an average price category from the known producer. Ideal for all types of engines, this is a versatile all-weather solution for the motorist. The price is about 450 rubles per 1 liter.
- Oil Manol Stahlsyn Ultra 5w50. One of the most affordable brands of motor oils. The price of 1 liter is about 300 rubles per 1 liter. At the same time, the product is universal and can be used in both diesel and gasoline engines.
Can 5w40 and 5w50 be mixed
Many motorists, guided by considerations of economy or other goals, often pour oils of different groups into the engine. It would seem that the properties of 5w40 oils are almost identical to the properties of 5w50 lubricants, and the cost of the latter is even higher.
However, experts do not recommend doing this, since the products have a different viscosity index, which is why the mixture reduces the characteristics of 5w50 lubricants. Also, a different composition in terms of polymer fillers leads to a deterioration in the operation of the power plant as a whole.
It is permissible to mix lubricants only in isolated cases, while long-term operation of the car on such a mixture should not be allowed.
Useful video
In the video, a comparison of oils 5w50 and 5w20
Conclusion
Engine oils of the 5w50 group are high-quality lubricants with a high viscosity index.
This allows them to be used in almost any weather conditions, as well as on engines operating under load and with worn-out CPC. The main disadvantage of such oils is the cost, which is very high for owners of domestic cars.
