What type of motor oil do I need?
In the main menu you can click on oil advice. Then click on the desired brand so that you are redirected to the manufacturer’s website. You can then choose to enter a license plate or select a vehicle type for appropriate advice.
How do I know which motor oil is approved by the car manufacturer?
In your car manual, the car manufacturer will specify the correct engine oil for your car. The industry standards are established by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) which periodically publish a series of standards that a motor oil must meet. Some automakers have specific requirements for the motor oil they use. To guarantee the warranty of your car, you must follow the guidelines of the car manufacturer. On the back of the oil bottle you can find a list with the specifications. It is very important to choose the right engine oil that meets the correct specification of your car.
Why do I need to change the engine oil?
Motor oil is always subject to extreme stress. This tax causes: high temperatures in the engine. The load can also be chemical from resistance caused by acids or physical from the enormous forces generated in the engine at high speeds. Every car manufacturer has to find the right balance between extreme stress and protection. To do this, they need an appropriate lubricant that they can recommend and advise for proper engine protection and optimum performance. You can find this specification in the manual of your car.
What does the oil in your engine do?
Oil protects every internal particle of your engine. An engine oil must protect critical parts when friction occurs. The friction must therefore be minimized to prevent damage, even though the pressure and force are extremely high. Engine oil contains special additives that prevent the accumulation of waste particles and oxidation at high temperatures, so that the engine oil can always flow well.
Car manufacturers develop the motor oil at the same time as new engines and according to predetermined specifications – you can find this specification in the manual of your car. To find out which engine oil contains this specification, refer to the back of the oil bottle.
How long does a bottle of motor oil keep?
The oil is usable as long as it is sealed, stored in a cool, dry place, and no water or debris has entered the bottles. However, we do not recommend using bottles older than 5 years.
The first number with the letter W: the lower the number, the thinner the oil is at low temperatures (important for cold starts). The most common are: SAE: 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W. The second number after the letter W: the higher the number, the thicker the oil remains at high engine temperatures (important in summer). The most commonly used are: SAE: 30, 40, 50.
What does viscosity mean?
The first number with the letter W: the lower the number, the thinner the oil is at low temperatures (important for cold starts). The most common are: SAE: 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W. The second number after the letter W: the higher the number, the thicker the oil remains at high engine temperatures (important in summer). The most commonly used are: SAE: 30, 40, 50.
How can I check the oil level of my car?
Place the car on a horizontal surface;
Stop your engine;
Wait about 2 minutes (the oil should return to the crankcase).
1) Conventional oil levels with a dipstick:
– Pull the dipstick out of the dipstick holder of the engine;
– Clean the bottom with the marks of the dipstick well with a lint-free cloth;
– Briefly reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick holder. Be careful to insert it all the way up to the support point and that no dirt gets into the engine through the dipstick holder hole;
– Remove the dipstick directly from the dipstick holder for a correct reading;
– Check the oil level again;
– When the oil level is correct, fully insert the dipstick back into the dipstick holder of the engine.
2) Oil levels via a digital display on the instrument panel, on dipstickless engines:
– Switch on the ignition with the key or by pressing the start button in case of “keyless entry”;
– Check the oil level on the digital display.
How do I top up oil?
Choose the oil that is suitable for your car engine. Use a funnel or spout to avoid spilling oil on the engine. Have a clean cloth or plenty of paper handy. If the oil level is low, ie equal to or just above the lower mark on the dipstick, carefully add small amounts of oil (for example, a quarter liter). If the dipstick does not clearly indicate how much to add, top up with even smaller amounts of oil. Check the oil level again and again until the correct level is reached.
Remarks:
In general, the difference between the minimum and maximum levels is about one liter.
Do not top up above the maximum level. The maximum level corresponds to the top mark on the dipstick. Prevent the oil level from falling below the minimum level. The minimum level corresponds to the lower mark on the dipstick. Spilled oil on the engine can cause smoke and odors. Therefore, wipe and dab as much spilled oil from the engine block as possible. Note that the engine block can be very hot after driving and do not touch exhaust parts with your hands.
If the used oil pack is not empty:
– Then close it properly
– Clean it with a cloth or paper.
Is it normal for engine oil to be topped up?
Yes, an engine can consume a small amount of engine oil during the combustion process. To prevent engine damage, it is recommended that the oil level in the engine be checked regularly. However, repeatedly topping up oil does not mean that the oil does not need to be changed.
While it is normal for an engine to use a small amount of engine oil (which is topped up between changes), it is not normal for the oil to need to be topped up very often. This could be due to the following possible causes:
– incorrect type of engine oil, such as an engine oil that is too thin;
– the mechanical condition of the engine, such as worn piston rings, worn valve seals or leaking seals/gaskets;
– the driving behaviour, such as driving many short trips or a sporty driving behaviour.
Is just topping up oil enough instead of changing?
Certainly not. During use, oil is subjected to shear, contamination and oxidation. The longer the oil is used, the less the properties that have to withstand these loads. Before these properties are finished, the oil must be changed. By only adding oil, the existing dirt in the oil will settle in the engine. This will lead to a reduction in engine performance and may increase engine wear.
Can I keep the oil for a long time? Is the quality deteriorating?
The oil remains good for a long time (+/- 4 years) in closed packaging. However, packages that have been open must be properly closed to prevent oxidation of the oil. If in doubt, shake the container with oil well and then pour some oil into a clean and dry transparent glass. Let the glass with oil stand for a while. If the oil is clear, it can still be used. If the oil remains cloudy, it can no longer be used.
What should I do with the used oil?
Hydrocarbon based products are harmful to the environment. You can collect your used oil and return it to the chemical depot of the waste disposal point in your municipality.
Is it possible to change to a different viscosity when changing?
This is possible if the car manufacturer specifies multiple viscosities for your engine. Depending on the climate (warm or cold environment) and driving behavior (sporty or economical), you can switch to a different viscosity. Look for the correct viscosity in the instruction manual of your car or on our oil advice page.
Can I use the same oil for the gearbox as for the engine?
Normally, the engine and gearbox are separated from each other in terms of lubrication. Both the viscosity and the additives used are different, which means that there is a different product. There may be exceptions with old cars, where the engine oil lubricates both the engine and gearbox. Check the owner’s manual for the prescribed engine and gearbox oil or consult our oil advice page.
Can I also use oil for a diesel engine for a petrol engine and vice versa?
No, not always. If the ACEA/API oil specification is prescribed for both a petrol and diesel engine, the engine oil can be used in both types of engines. It must first be carefully checked which ACEA/API oil specification is prescribed for the relevant petrol and diesel engine before choosing an oil type. At API, the letter ‘S’ stands for petrol and letter ‘C’ for diesel. See also the next question.
How can the performance of a lubricating oil be assessed?
Based on ACEA and API specifications. However, these are minimum requirements that a motor oil must meet. A motor oil can amply exceed these minimum requirements. Most manufacturers also draw up their own requirements in addition to these general requirements.
Does a diesel engine need special oil?
Diesel engine oil focuses more on shear loading due to the relatively high torque at low revs. Furthermore, the oil must have the property to be able to absorb soot from the combustion process as exhaust gas from the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation). In addition, for diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPF: Diesel Particulate Filter) ‘Low SAPS’ oil (Low Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulpher) is required to prevent the clogging of the particulate filters and thus extend the life of the particulate filters.
What does the ACEA specification on a packaging mean?
What does the ACEA standard mean for motor oil?
This is the standard of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. It is a quality indicator that is determined by a letter and a number (for example A1). The letter indicates the type of engine:
A: oil designed for gasoline engines
B: oil designed for passenger car diesel engines
C: for light engines equipped with catalytic converters or particulate filters
E: for commercial vehicles and trucks
The number indicates the specific performance that the oil must deliver.
ACEA 2016 defines:
3 category combinations for petrol and diesel engines: A3/B3, A3/B4, A5/B5
5 categories for vehicles with SCR catalytic converter system for: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5
4 categories for commercial vehicles and trucks E4, E6, E7, E9, two of which are intended for vehicles with an SCT catalytic converter for: E6 and E9.
What does the API specification on a package mean?
Founded by the American Petroleum Institute, it classifies the product according to several criteria: dispersive ability and protection against wear, oxidation, corrosion and sanitizing agents. The standard consists of two letters: S for petrol engines, or C for diesel engines. The second letter indicates the performance of the oil. The further the letter is in the alphabet, the higher the quality of the oil.
For example, an SH oil has a lower performance than an SN oil.
Can I also use oil for a car engine for a motorcycle?
No. Motorcycles can have two-strokes as well as four-strokes, while car engines are generally four-strokes (except for some very old cars). Motorcycle engines are relatively small that can also deliver a relatively high power compared to car engines. There are motorcycles whose gearbox and wet plate clutches are also lubricated by the same engine oil and some motorcycles have a separate gearbox oil.
Why not just buy the cheapest oil?
The price of the oil in many cases does not say anything about the applicability of the oil. A car engine is a complex machine in which the car manufacturer prescribes which requirements a lubricant must meet. If the lubricant has to meet high requirements or many requirements, the price generally increases because it requires high-quality oil and technological additives. In some cases, a cheap oil is sufficient, but in most cases it does not meet the prescribed specifications.