The modern car engine is a complex mechanism where the gaps between rubbing parts are measured in microns. That's why. pick-up It becomes a critical procedure, on which the power unit resource directly depends. Ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendations or using low-quality analogues can lead to catastrophic consequences, including expensive overhauls.
Company Liqui Moly For many years it has been a leader in the lubricants market, offering the widest range of products for any operating conditions. However, the variety of canisters on the shelves often puts the car owner in a baffle: what product will suit your engine right now? The answer lies in the competent use of specialized selection tools.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how the official selection service works, why it is important to take into account not only viscosity, but also tolerances, and also consider the hidden nuances that are silent sellers in stores. You will learn to determine the best product on your own, based on the specifications of your car, and not on the advice of neighbors in the garage.
Official Recruitment Service: How It Works
The main tool for the right choice is the official online service posted on the manufacturer's website. The algorithm of his work is based on the current specifications of automakers, which minimizes the risk of error. You don’t need to be an expert in oil chemistry, just enter your vehicle’s data into the appropriate fields.
The process begins with the choice of the type of equipment: a passenger car, a motorcycle, commercial transport or special equipment. After that, the system will request clarification on the make, model, year of release and, most importantly, engine modification. The exact matching of engine volume and power is a key factor for obtaining the correct result.
The result of the algorithm is a list of recommended products, divided into categories: motor oils, transmission fluids, lubricants and technical aerosols. The system automatically filters the range, leaving only those positions that meet the requirements of the manufacturer of your car.
⚠️ Note: If you are not sure about the exact modification of the engine, do not rely on approximate data. An error of 100 cubic centimeters of volume or 10 horsepower can lead to the choice of oil with an inappropriate additive package.
Selection by VIN-code: maximum accuracy
The most reliable way to eliminate the human factor is to oil selection. This 17-digit code contains complete information about the car, including the factory configuration and the engine installed on the conveyor. Unlike manual model selection, VIN code eliminates confusion with restylings and transitional models.
Many car owners mistakenly believe that the year of production of the car clearly determines the type of oil required. However, within the framework of one model year, the manufacturer could use different power units. Use of the VIN code. It allows the service to identify your particular instance, even if it is visually identical to hundreds of others.
When entering the code, the system is checked against the global database of tolerances. This is especially true for modern engines with particulate filters (DPFs) and catalysts, where oil ash requirements (Low SAPS) are extremely high. A mistake here can quickly disable an expensive environmental system.
☑️ Data verification before ordering
Decoding tolerances and specifications
Understanding what is written on the label of the canister gives a huge advantage when choosing. Automaker tolerances These are not just marketing slogans, but the results of long trials that the oil has successfully passed. For example, admission Mercedes-Benz 229.5 radically different 229.1 on the package of detergent additives and stability to oxidation.
Below is a table of the main types of tolerances and a brief description of them so that you can navigate the variety of abbreviations:
| Organization/Brand/Organization/ | Type of tolerance | Description of application |
|---|---|---|
| VW Group | VW 504.00 / 507.00 | Universal oil for gasoline and diesel with a particulate filter (LongLife) |
| BMW | BMW Longlife-04 | Diesel engines with particulate filters produced after 2004 |
| ACEA | C3 | Medium-alt oil for exhaust gas neutralization systems |
| API | SN / SP | American standard for gasoline engines, protection against LSPI |
It is important to distinguish between international classifications (API, ACEA) and internal plant tolerances. If the manufacturer’s specific approval is specified in the instructions for your car, priority is always given to the manufacturer, not to the general API class. Liqui Moly Always indicate all the approvals received on the package, which facilitates visual verification.
What is LSPI and why is it important?
Low Speed Pre-Ignition is a dangerous phenomenon in turbocharged direct-injection engines. The API SP oils and the associated tolerances contain additives to prevent this effect, which can destroy the pistons.
Viscosity: 5W-30, 5W-40 or 10W-60?
The issue of viscosity most often causes controversy among motorists. Number before letter W (Winter) indicates viscosity at cold start, and the second digit indicates viscosity at engine operating temperature. The choice here depends not on the brand of oil, but on the design features of the engine and its condition.
New engines designed in the last 10-15 years are characterized by the use of more liquid oils (0W-20, 5W-30). This is due to the need to reduce friction to meet environmental standards and fuel economy. Pouring thicker butter 5W-40 or 10W-60 c such a motor can lead to oil starvation of hydraulic compensators and phase rotators.
On the other hand, for engines with high mileage, where the heat gaps are increased, a switch to a slightly more viscous oil may be justified. However, this decision should be made individually, taking into account the consumption of oil on carbon monoxide and noise during operation. Blindly following the rule of “the older the car, the thicker the oil” can be harmful.
If you live in a region with harsh winters, pay attention to the first digit of viscosity. Oil 0W- guarantees pumping at -35°C, while 5W- freezes at -30°C, which is critical for cold start-up.
Synthetics, semi-synthetics or mineral water?
In the catalogue Liqui Moly All types of base oils are represented, but for a modern car, the choice is actually reduced to synthetic products. Synthetics obtained by hydrocracking (HC-synthetics) or PAO-synthesis, have stable characteristics throughout the temperature range.
Mineral oils are only relevant today for very old machinery or special industrial machinery. Their main drawback is rapid aging and precipitation at high temperatures. Semi-intelligent It occupies an intermediate niche and is often recommended for moderately mileage cars that do not require complex tolerances.
When switching from one type of oil to another (for example, from mineral to synthetic), engine washing is recommended. Although modern oils are compatible, mixing products with different additive packages can lead to the formation of emulsion or coking channels.
Use only those types of oils that are expressly permitted by your vehicle’s instruction manual. Experiments with the type of base can void the warranty.
Frequent mistakes in self-selection
One of the most common mistakes is to focus only on price or brand, ignoring specifications. Liqui Moly It produces oils for different markets, and a product designed for Japanese cars may not be suitable for European diesels with pumps.
It is also often said that “oil does not run out, it is good.” In fact, if there is no carbon monoxide at all, this may indicate that the oil simply burns with fuel or goes through the glands, without having time to evaporate. Quality oil should work in pair with a serviceable engine.
- 🛑 Ignoring replacement intervals: even the most expensive oil loses its properties by 10-12 thousand km.
- 🛑 Buying in unverified places: the risk of running into counterfeit is high, the canister must have protective seals.
- 🛑 Mixing different colors: The color of the oil is not an indicator of its composition, but mixing different brands is undesirable.
⚠️ Never focus on the smell or color of the oil when buying. Modern additive packs can color the oil in any shade, from amber to dark brown, and this is normal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I mix Liqui Moly oils of different series?
Liqui Moly oils are technically compatible with each other, as they are produced on the same base. However, mixing oils with different tolerances (for example, for diesel and gasoline) is not recommended, as this will worsen the final characteristics of the mixture. It is better to add what is already poured, or make a complete replacement.
How often should I change oil if I don’t drive much?
Oil ages not only from mileage, but also from time to time. Even if you have traveled only 2,000 km in a year, the oil needs to be replaced as it is oxidized by contact with air and accumulates combustion products and moisture. The recommended interval is 1 time per year or every 10-15 thousand. km.
Is it true that synthetics cause leaks of gums on old cars?
Synthetics alone do not cause leaks. It has the best penetrating ability and detergent properties. If the oedles are already worn out and were held only by the "coke deposits" from the mineral water, then after switching to the synth, these deposits will be washed away, and the flow will manifest itself. It's not the oil's fault, it's a sign of seal wear.