The physical and chemical characteristics of motor oils have a significant impact on fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions by cars. The higher the antifriction properties of oils, the lower the friction losses in the engine. Thus, a smaller amount of fuel must be supplied to the engine cylinders to provide a given power. This ensures its economy.
In the winter period, when working in the urban areas (with frequent stops), a particularly noticeable effect (up to 5% fuel economy) is provided by the use of synthetic motor oils with viscosity characteristics SAE 5W-40 and SAE 0W-40. Motor oil with high anti-wear features extends the life of the engine and transmission units while maintaining their high performance.
How does motor oil quality affect fuel consumption?
Properly selected motor oil prolongs the life of the engine and postpones the need for major repairs. If you fill in oil that is not provided by the manufacturer, then the engine will not work correctly, thereby absorbing more fuel for its work. The consumption of petrol and oil is impacted not only by the quality of fuels but also by the driving style of the motorist. The more aggressive the driver behaves on the road, the more resources will be used.
If you want your car to serve you faithfully and properly for a long time, remember that saving on the quality of petrol or oil can lead to a repair of the fuel system, or to a major overhaul of the engine itself. Therefore, we recommend using only top-quality fuels and motor oils. It is also worth remembering that an aggressive driving style is not only more expensive in terms of fuel costs, but is also dangerous for the driver and other road users.
What influences engine oil consumption?
Quality and viscosity are the main indicators of oil consumption. Understanding the idea of viscosity is quite easy – if the oil component is too liquid, then it flows out through the seals. As for the quality – it depends on the manufacturer.
The correct amount of oil for the engine is always different, as this is related to the individual indicators of the car. In other words, for the engine to work well, a certain amount is needed, which is different in each case due to the tech characteristics of the vehicle. Each motorist can determine this amount, based on his own experience and knowledge.
Why you shouldn’t save on motor oil?
In practice, saving money will not lead to anything good. Increased temperature affects the structure of the engine oil and leads to its decomposition. Still, each type of car has its own recommendations. Following them will positively impact the operation of your vehicle and prevent frequent repairs.