Mechanical and oil production companies have no doubt about the causes of many breakdowns that occur in modern engines. According to experts, most of the so-called defects are the result of improper service, which, however, conforms to the recommendations of manufacturers. The problem is the so-called long life mode which is harmful to the engines.
Is an oil change not recommended?
In modern cars Changing the oil every 30 thousand km has become almost the norm, which has been practiced for many years. This represents a 2 or 3-fold increase in oil consumption compared to the recommendations of the 1990s, and this approach has a positive impact on the environment because less oil is used during operation. In addition, it affects service costs because inspections are performed less frequently, which is beneficial at least during the warranty period.
Unfortunately, this approach can only happen Negative impact on the durability of the engine and its mechanisms. What is worse is that drivers who believe in the good quality of their engines nowadays practically do not check the oil level, which was the norm in the past.
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A study conducted by Castrol shows this Only 41 percent of car owners in Poland check their engine oil level at least once a month. Due to such negligence, minor damages occur, which after some time turn into costly failures.
It is also worth noting the almost complete lack of manufacturers’ recommendations regarding replacing the oil in gearboxes. This also has a significant impact on the durability of mechanisms, especially bearings.
This is indicated by Tariq Hamed, Marketing Director of Castrol Engine oil should be changed more often than recommended by the manufacturerR. In both old and new car models, its level must be checked regularly and increased as needed.
Sometimes, adds Marta Ciesielska, Director of the Service Networks Department, responsible for the Q Service Castrol project Due to the specific mode of vehicle use or external factors, it is recommended to change the oil more often. We do not have to choose the brand suggested by the manufacturer of our car, but it is important to choose a product that complies with the quality standards given in the manual.
What can happen with old oil?
Contrary to what it seems, the risk of engine failure due to an oil change in very rare cases is not as great as it may seem. Yes, the problems with the dCi, THP and TSI units were partly due to this fact, but here there were design flaws. In this case we can talk about it Slow wear of mechanisms and high risk of metal filings entering the lubrication circuit.
Nowadays, many modern engines suffer from different types of problems. They are mainly associated with very long intervals between subsequent oil changes. Particularly vulnerable to premature wear and costly repairs are those areas related to the timing drive using the chain. Automotive experts recommend frequent oil changes in those designs where there is a risk of tensioner malfunction. This in turn leads to Chain rattle and stretch.
Old oil can also cause problems with proper lubrication of frequently used turbochargers. Furthermore, this may lead to the build-up of carbon deposits, leading to contamination of the engine, exhaust system or sensitive EGR valve. In engines operating with a particulate matter exhaust aftertreatment (DPF/GPF) system, oil breakdown occurs faster. This is caused by the oil mixing with the fuel. Such oil not only loses its lubricating properties, but its quantity also increases.
One component at risk for premature wear is Variable valve timing wheel (Or several wheels of this type depending on the type of engine). The cost of this part can range from 400 PLN to more than 1000 PLN.
Opening by Adam Lenort of ProfiAuto It is recommended not to buy a used car whose service history indicates that the oil was changed in long life mode. He adds that this type of oil contains richer additives and is more durable, but it will never withstand long operating tests in difficult conditions.
How often should we change engine oil?
It turns out that the old recommendations to change the oil every 10,000 km and at least every 15,000 km are still valid. Observing the work of workshops dealing with solving “puzzling” problems with modern engines, a certain regularity can be observed. At the end of the troubleshooting process, the problem is usually that the oil was not changed enough. This is especially true for units with a timing chain.
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