5. High-Mileage Oil
• Usually higher viscosity
and therefore can not
meet ILSAC GF-5 rating
• Has esters to swell seals
• To be used in engines
with higher than 75,000
miles
• Have higher levels of zinc
that may harm catalytic
converters.
• Does not have the energy
rating of conventional oils
6. Look for GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda and other
manufacturers specifications on label
7. Meets Ford and Chrysler but not GM.
Why not?
Do you think that all “quickie” oil change places use exactly the correct oil
for each vehicle? What about a warranty claim?
8. Brands
• Mobil 1 is the only
synthetic that is
used by the vehicle
manufacturers (GM,
Mercedes etc.)
• May be sold under
other brand names
• Use oil from a
known brand
9. API Service Symbol
• Oils designed for vehicles
with gasoline engines fall
under API’s “S” (Service)
categories. (Spark)
• Engine oils designed for
vehicles with diesel
engines fall under API’s
“C” (Commercial)
categories.
(Compression)
10. API Ratings
Gasoline Engine Ratings
• SA-SH= obsolete ratings
• SJ-2001 and older
• SM-2010 and older
• SN- 2011+
Diesel Engine Ratings
• CA-CC=obsolete
• Current ratings = CH-4;
CI-4 and CJ-4 (low ash)
(2007+ Engines using ULSD)
• API “Donut”
• Visit: www.api.org
12. Effect of Temperature on Viscosity
• Viscosity is a
measure of a
fluid’s resistance
to flow (“how
thick it is”)
• Viscosity of a
fluid is a function
of temperature
0 50 100
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
TEMPERATURE (C)
KINEMATICVISCOSITYcSt
The oil gets thinner as it gets hotter!!!)
13. VI Improvers - Are polymers (very large molecules) which
inhibit the oil from thinning out at high temperatures
In the Cold
With Heat
Uncoiling counteracts the normal thinning of oil
Viscosity Index Improvers
16. SAE Grades
• SAE = Society of
Automotive Engineers
• 5W = The “W” means
winter and the oil is tested
at low temperatures
depending on the viscosity
such as -30°C (-22°F)
• SAE 5W-30 = The “30” is
the viscosity measured at
100° C (212° F)
COLD (WINTER) HOT
-22O
F 212O
F
THE “W” DOES NOT STAND FOR “WEIGHT”
17. Do customers know?
Do service technicians know?
• SAE=? (Society of Automotive
Engineers)
• API=? (American Petroleum
Institute)
• ILSAC=? (International
Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee)
• ACEA=? (Association des
Contructeurs European d’Automobiles)
18. ACEA Gasoline Ratings
Association des Contructeurs European d’Automobiles
• A1-Low friction; low viscosity
• A2-General use with regular oil
changes
• A3-High performance and/or
extended oil change intervals
• A4-For gasoline direct-injected
engines
• A5-Low friction; low viscosity;
extended oil change intervals
20. ACEA Combined Ratings
• A1/B1-Low HTHS, semi-
synthetic
• A3/B3-High HTHS; Mineral or
semi-synthetic
• A4/B4-High HTHS; synthetic
• A5/B5-Low HTHS, High fuel
economy additives; extended oil
change intervals; synthetic
HTHS =High Temperature/ High
Shear rate viscosity (ASTM D-
4683)
21. Typical Viscosities
• Most newer vehicle
manufacturers
specify:
SAE 0W-20, SAE
5W-20 or SAE 5W-30
• Most hybrid electric
vehicles (HEVs)
specify SAE 0W-20 or
SAE 5W-20
22. What is different with
European ratings?
• Usually very high viscosity
index (VI) often requiring SAE
10W-50 or 5W-40
• Extended oil change
interval=robust additive
package - 30,000 km (18,000
mile) or every two years oil
change interval!
• Low SAPS (Sulfated Ash,
Phosphorous and Sulfur)
• Higher HTHS (High
Temperature/ High Shear rate
viscosity)
23. Case Study
• 2003 VW Passat with a
1.8 liter turbocharged four
cylinder that had been
using API approved oil
instead of VW 502 oil
developed serious oil
gelling problems
• Some similar vehicle
engines have seized
24. FluidFluid
MoleculesMolecules
Why is Friction Reduced?
There is less “friction” between fluid molecules moving over
each other than between the two surfaces moving across each
other.
25. The formation of an oil wedge in a plain bearing
Metal-to-metal contact Oil wedge supports load
Connecting Rod Example
26. SYNTHETIC OILS MINERAL OILS
Large Molecules thicken at low temp
Small molecules
vaporize at high temp
All molecules same size
H-C-C-C-C-C-H
H H H H S
H HO N H
Impurities oxidize
C10H20
C10H20
C10H20
C10H20
27. Additives Improve the Base Oil
• Viscosity Index (VI) improver
– modifies the viscosity of the base fluid
so that it changes less as the
temperature rises allows the lubricant
to operate over a wider temperature
range
• Pour point depressant
– keeps the lubricant flowing at low
temperatures
• Antifoam
– foam reduces the effectiveness of a
lubricant
– antifoams reduce/stop foaming when
the lubricant is agitated or aerated
28. Additives Protect the Base Oil
• Antioxidants
– slow down the breakdown of the base fluid
caused by oxygen (air) and heat
– oxidation is the main cause of lubricant
degradation in service
• Oxidation of the base fluid causes:
– acid formation (corrosion)
– sludges, varnishes (blockages)
• Life of a lubricant in laboratory oxidation tests is
often used to give an indication of service life
Oxidation
29. Additives Protect the Engine
• Rust inhibitor
– inhibits the action of water on
ferrous metals (e.g. mild steel)
• Corrosion inhibitor
– protects non-ferrous metals
(e.g. copper)
• Anti-wear additive
– forms a protective layer on metal surfaces to
reduce friction and prevent wear when no
lubricant film is present such as ZDDP.
• Extreme pressure additive
– as for anti-wear additive but functioning only
when heavy loads and temperatures are
encountered
Roller
bearing
wear
Gear tooth
wear
30. ZDDP
• The phosphorous content of ZDDP=
Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphates (commonly called zinc and/or
phosphorous or ZDP)
• API ratings do not specify the zinc content, just oil performance
Engine Oil Date Zinc in Parts Per Million (PPM)
API SJ 1997-2001 1,200
API SL 2001-2003 1,000
API SM/SN 2004-current 800
31. What About Older Engines?
• If flat-bottom (non-
roller) lifters are
used then a ZDDP
additive may be
needed during
break-in.
• However, it is best
to use a special
break-in oil
32. How Much Zinc is Needed?
• Shell Rotella T 15W-40 ( API CJ-4) has about 1200 ppm
zinc. This is 50% more zinc than current engine oils (API
SM, GF-4) which contain about 800 ppm zinc
33. Oil Additives?
• DON’T USE THEM!
• Most, if not all oil experts,
warn about adding
anything to the oil.
• Vehicle manufactures
warn not to add any
additives to the oil.
• Most are friction reducers
• Use an oil that meets the
needs instead.
34. The “3,000 Mile Myth”
• California’s 3,000 mile
myth program was
started because research
showed that 73% of
California drivers change
their oil more frequently
than recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer
• General Motors has
joined the campaign.
35. Case Study
• Dodge Durango 5.7 liter Hemi
with MDS (multiple
displacement system)
• Oil change using SAE 10W-30
• Check engine light came on
and stored P0521 DTC stored
• DTC Description=Oil pressure
not reaching specified at 1,250
RPM
• Changed to specified SAE 5W-
20; cleared DTC ; now no DTC
during operation.
• Using the incorrect oil can also
cause a P0300 DTC (random
misfire detected)
36. Testing Oil
• Oil sample to lab
for analysis
• For example:
• Blackstone
Laboratories-
$25.00
www.blackstone-
labs.com
37. Oil Test Results
• Spectral Exam: Establishes the levels of wear metals,
silicon, and additives present in the oil. Also checks for
coolant.
Note: Silicon = dirt; not sealer
• Viscosity: Determines the grade of oil.
• Insolubles: Quantifies the percentage of solids present in
the oil.
• Flash Point: Determines the flash point of the oil to
determine whether any contamination is present in the oil
(such as fuel)
38. Understanding the Lab Report
• Aluminum: Pistons, bearings, cases (heads & blocks)
• Iron: Cylinders, rotating shafts, the valve train, and any steel part
• Copper: Brass or bronze parts, copper bushings, bearings, oil coolers
•
• Lead: Bearings
• Tin: Bearings, bronze parts, piston coatings
• Silicon: Airborne dirt, antifreeze inhibitors
• Sodium: Antifreeze inhibitors, additive in some gasoline engine oils.
• Calcium: Detergent/dispersant additive
• Magnesium: Detergent/dispersant additive
39. Oil Related Faults
• Gelling and sludge:
– Usually caused by
extended oil change
intervals
– Can be caused by
coolant in the oil
– Engine design or
cooling system fault
that causes a lot of
heat to be in the
cylinder which bakes
the oil
Improper operation of the PCV system can
also cause engine sludge (gelling).
42. Please do the following:
• Check the oil level BEFORE changing the
oil and document the work order
(IMPORTANT) WHY?
• Check and use the oil specified by the
vehicle manufacturer
• Recommend that the oil be changed
according to the specified distance/time
interval
• Check that the oil level is correct
• Reset the oil monitor light.
43. Frequently Asked Questionsons
• Question: Can you go back to using
conventional oil after using synthetic?
• Answer: Yes. All oil is mixable.
44. Frequently Asked Questions
• Question: Do I have to break in a new
engine on mineral oil before switching to
synthetic oil?
• Answer: Synthetic oil (Mobil 1) is used by
many vehicle manufacturers in new
vehicles.
46. Viscosity MeasurmentViscosity Measurment
• We’re going to use Zahn cups and stopWe’re going to use Zahn cups and stop
watches!watches!
• One person operate the stop watch, theOne person operate the stop watch, the
other lift the Zahn cup out of the oil.other lift the Zahn cup out of the oil.
• Start watch when surface tension isStart watch when surface tension is
“broke”. Stop watch, when solid stream“broke”. Stop watch, when solid stream
stops.stops.
47. Viscosity MeasurementViscosity Measurement
• Perform three times, then write downPerform three times, then write down
average.average.
• Switch jobs and perform the same testSwitch jobs and perform the same test
with the other oil sample.with the other oil sample.
Many factors have to be taken into account when choosing a lubricant.
The most important of these is the viscosity of the lubricant.
The simplest definition of viscosity is resistance to flow.
Under the same conditions of temperature and pressure a liquid with a low viscosity, such as water, will flow more quickly than a liquid with a high viscosity, such as honey.
Lubricant manufacturers and users usually use kinematic viscosity.
This is the dynamic viscosity divided by the density of the lubricant and is measured in units known as centistokes (cSt).
Water at room temperature has a kinematic viscosity of about 1 cSt;the viscosities of most lubricating oils at their operating temperatures lie in the range 10 - 100 cSt.
Viscosity Index (VI) improver
This additive is added to the base fluid to reduce the extent with which viscosity (‘thickness’) changes with temperature. This is useful where a lubricant has to perform satisfactorily over a wide range of temperatures. For example, a hydraulic fluid used in a cold climate must be ‘thin’ enough to allow the pump to start easily at, say, - 20 oC and yet ‘thick’ enough to lubricate efficiently when the machine is at its operating temperature (80 oC) .
Pour point depressant
This additive is used to minimise the tendency of the base fluid to congeal and solidify when cooled. A pour point depressant is necessary for most lubricants used in machinery operating at low temperatures.
Antifoam
This additive prevents the formation of foam in the lubricant. Foam may develop in the presence of certain contaminants - especially in machines in which there is excessive churning and agitation. Foaming increases the exposure of the lubricant to the air and so encourages oxidation (see Slide 11). It may cause oil to be lost from the system through air vents. More seriously, it reduces the efficiency of lubrication - a film of foam is a much less effective lubricant than a continuous film of oil. Foam developing in a hydraulic fluid causes the fluid to become ‘spongy’ and severely reduce its ability to transmit power efficiently.
When the base fluid is exposed to oxygen in the air it breaks down to form organic acids, sticky lacquers and sludge (‘oxidation’). The acids can lead to corrosion and lacquers can cause moving surfaces to stick to each other. Sludge thickens the lubricant, and can clog holes, pipe lines, filters and other components of the lubrication system.
Oxidation is the main cause of lubricant degradation in service.
Oxidation depends on the extent to which oxygen is allowed to come into contact with the lubricant. It takes place more rapidly at high temperatures and is also promoted by moisture and other contaminants present in the oil such as dirt, metal particles, rust and other corrosion products – this is why lubricants in service should be kept clean and dry.
Antioxidants block oxidation reactions and slowdown degradation of the lubricant. They have a specific action which continues as long as they are present in the lubricant, even in small concentrations. However, once they are used up, the lubricant starts to oxidise rapidly. It is therefore essential that a lubricant is changed before its antioxidant properties are exhausted.
Antioxidants improve the oxidation stability of the lubricant and are particularly important for products that will become hot in use.
Most lubricants contain antioxidants.
Rust inhibitor
This additive inhibits the action of water on iron and steel (‘ferrous’) components. Rust inhibitors are usually found in turbine oils and hydraulic fluids as these products tend to become contaminated with water during use.
Corrosion inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitors protect non-ferrous metals (e.g. copper, bronze, ‘yellow metals’) from attack by acids formed by oxidation of the lubricant or acidic additives.
Anti-wear additive
This type of additive adsorbs to metal surfaces and forms a protective layer that prevents direct metal-to-metal contact when the lubricant film is absent (e.g. at start-up). This significantly reduces friction and wear.
Extreme pressure (‘EP’) additive
An EP additive is required in situations of severe loading where anti-wear additives are ineffective. Such conditions are often encountered on highly loaded steel-on-steel gear teeth. EP additives are stable at normal temperatures but, at the high temperatures which develop, for example, when two gear teeth are squeezed together, they decompose and their breakdown products react with the metal to form a protective lubricant film.