What is the best type of motor oil for your European car?
Today’s sophisticated European engines produce higher power densities per cubic inch and subject engine oil to severe operating conditions. Add all the emission control equipment in these cars and the oils used should demonstrate exceptional anti-wear performance and meet the stringent formulation requirements necessary to meet the most current European specifications for motor oil.
The specifications in this writing are VW 504/00 / 507.00, VW, 502, 505 and 505.01, BMW LL-04, Porsche C-30, ACEA C-3, ACEA A3-B3 / B4, Mercedes Benz 229.31 and 229.51, etc. . Since most European car manufacturers specify oil change intervals that are considerably longer than those of US car manufacturers, oils that meet these specifications must demonstrate excellent high temperature performance / high shear (HT / HS) to maintain viscosity and provide adequate engine protection.
In addition, turbocharged direct injection (TDI) engines are common in European vehicles. Engine oils used in these applications must be very thermally stable to withstand high operating temperatures and resist deposit formation, while providing adequate turbocharger cooling. Thermally stable oils help keep oil passages clean and promote fluid circulation so turbocharger bearings stay cool and lubricated.
Due to the sophisticated and extremely efficient pollution control equipment used in European vehicles, almost all European car manufacturers require that the oil used in these applications be formulated with lower amounts of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur. (SAPS) SAPS is an antiwear additive commonly used in motor oils.
The problem is that oils with excess sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulfur (SAPS) can damage modern exhaust gas treatment devices. Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), for example, require low SAPS motor oil to help prevent filter clogging. This is why using engine oil that does not meet the correct specifications can cause engine problems and the annoying check engine light to come on.
Because SAPS additives provide a high degree of wear protection, their reduction has caused some engine oil formulators considerable difficulty in producing an engine oil that provides outstanding protection and meets the requirements of engine manufacturers. automobiles for use with your engine’s advanced pollution control equipment. The most ideal motor oil for European engines are high quality synthetic oils designed to the above specifications. Synthetic oils have very low pour points that protect the engine from oil starvation and provide immediate oil pressure when outside temperatures are low, while their thermal stability resists breakdown at high temperatures / high RPM to resist build-up. deposits that deprive TDI systems of lubrication.
This is why some of the biggest names in European cars, such as Mercedes and Porsche, are factory filled with synthetic oil and many require the use of synthetic oil to maintain the car warranty.
Amsoil Inc. introduced the first motor oil classified by the American Petroleum Institute in 1972. Today, Amsoil is considered the world leader in high-grade synthetic lubrication and offers synthetic motor oils specifically designed for the most European automotive applications. demanding.
