The rating of car oils obtained after testing on a friction machine. Results surprised

Nowadays there is a wide variety of automotive oils. Each manufacturer or brand emphasizes the supposedly distinctive properties of their oils. Although, the principle of choosing an oil for a particular car is regulated by the manufacturer of this car. Based on oil viscosity (main characteristic). Well-known markings, let's say 5W 30 (5 - viscosity index at negative temperatures and 30 - with a hot engine).

There are also approvals (certificates or quality classes) for each engine according to the following systems: ACEA (A1 / B1, AZ / VZ, AZ / B4, A5 / B5, C2 or SZ); API (SL / SM). Quality class according to ILSAC: GF-3 (approximately corresponds to API SL) or GF-4 (approximately corresponds to API SM). There are also indicators of ash content and base number (less important). And you need to look not at advertising, but at those tolerances and viscosities that are recommended by car manufacturers.

The frictional properties of oils are also important. But I did not find their specific indicators in the classification.

There are examples when the allegedly branded oil of some eminent car manufacturer is actually produced by completely different concerns. And there it is packaged under their brand name. Although, at the same plant, oils are produced under lesser-known brands. For example, Idemitsu manufactures and packs engine and transmission oils for two renowned car manufacturers in Japan.

But this is all theory. Is it possible to check auto oils on your own in a simple way and make sure at least of the lubricating (frictional) properties? Yes, there is a friction machine for this. Allegedly, this machine is intended for testing transmission oils, but it is also interesting to see how engine oils are lubricated.

A sample (metal cylinder) is installed in the friction machine, it is lubricated with the test oil, loaded with a lever and rubs against a rotating disk. Based on measurements, the degree of wear of the sample is determined.

Recently, one reader shared a link to a site where videos with experiments on a friction machine are presented - many well-known brands were tested there. I will post a few results. I was surprised by some of the results.

By link you can watch a video of the test of each oil. Best frictional properties with less wear 20 showed oils: WINDIGO SYNTH RS 5W-40, WINDIGO Super Extra 0W-20, Amsoil Signature Series 0W-20, Castrol EDGE Titanium 5W-40, Mannol Extreme 5W-40. Whereas the eminent oils from car manufacturers on the friction machine showed average or even below average values. The fact that the degree of wear is higher 50-60 causes alertness.

The strength of the current on the device (and in the tabular data) of the friction machine depends on the lubricating properties of the oils. The more friction, the greater the current consumption of the electric motor. In the experiment, rollers from bearing 7209 are used as samples - they are all the same. Their wear depends only on the properties of the oil.

WINDIGO oil turned out to be with some kind of antifriction additives like metal conditioners. Other additives to oils also participated in the test. But they all showed results as good oils. At one time, I saw minimal wear in a friction machine sample when the TM Roil metal conditioner was added to the oil. Here is about the same wear and tear. Surprised by the result of the oil Castrol EDGE Titanium 5W-40.

I looked at the information about this oil and found out that the Fluid Titanium technology was based on the method of copolymer combination of titanium and iron. They form bonds with the hydrocarbon chains of the oil. And the titanium copolymer dissolved in oil is a friction modifier and antiwear additive. A source: https://www.drive2.ru/o/b/539421780050182187

WINDIGO SYNTH RS 5W-40 Test Example:

The video contains information about the algorithm for calculating the indicator of the degree of wear. This channel also has tests for other oils not listed in the table.

The test of oils on a friction machine does not say that those oils that have a friction index of more than 60 are of poor quality, but make one think about their frictional properties. And about whether you need to overpay for the brand if other oils with the same tolerances have significantly better lubricating properties.

What kind of oil do you use in your car? What is regulated by the manufacturer or otherwise?

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