18 best motor oils

“Native” oil for a huge number of cars that received power units Renault - and they can be found even in the most unexpected places, for example, under the hood of Volvo. This has both advantages and disadvantages: on the one hand, this engine oil is guaranteed to withstand the service life set by the plant and will not cause problems with prolonged use, on the other hand, most likely, in terms of the combination of qualities, it will be "average." Well, let's check in practice.

First of all, it is worth noting a stable viscosity, and even at temperatures higher than those specified by the standard, the oil “liquefies” less than many competitors - this is an excellent recommendation for heat-loaded engines with turbo-compressors, especially those without a water jacket on the cartridge. But there is also the other side of the medal - in the cold the oil is somewhat thicker than its competitors, and if you can easily forget about it in the middle lane or in the south, in the northern areas the owner of a car without pre-heating should look towards the Evolution 900 FT 0W40.

In terms of the alkaline number, Elf became the leader - a result of 11 mg / g significantly outnumbered its competitors, so 900 NF fully confirmed our idea that it must withstand the replacement interval stated by the manufacturer adequately. The only pity is that the wear of the motor at the same time was higher than when using Shell or Mobil. Of course, this is expressed in two to three milligrams per replacement, but still the second thought also found confirmation: a long-liver, but a “middle peasant”.

Domestic oil has a fairly wide applicability, having, in particular, tolerances MB 229.5; Renault RN 0700/0710; VW 502 00/505 00; PSA B71 2296; FIAT 9.55535-N2, 9.55535-Z2. So it can be safely used in a number of foreign cars that do not impose more stringent requirements - that is, for example, in Volkswagen diesel engines with pump injectors, where oil with a VW 505 01 approval is required, it can no longer be used, despite the presence of “diesel” API CF class.

Even if you have skepticism about domestic oils, then let us say at once: Lukoil fully complies with all the requirements of the stated quality standard, in some ways even surpassing competitors.For example, for foreign oils 5W40, a freezing point of -40 ... -42 degrees is typical, while Lukoil is able to work up to -44. Trifle, but in the northern regions and it may not be enough.

Low ash content in combination with high calcium content in samples of fresh oil indicates the use of a modern additive package with high detergency (calcium salicylate is used for this purpose). A relatively high content of phosphorus and zinc is a trace of an antiwear additive of the ZDDP family, effective, but alas, incompatible with particulate filters.

As a result, we get a motor oil with an average high-temperature viscosity for this standard, which does not lose it as it ages (if we are not talking about high-performance engines and operating “at the limit”). The alkaline number of the oil decreases quickly enough, so you should not delay the replacement periods. However, a small increase in the content of aluminum and iron in mining samples promises a good resource for the motor.

Synthetic motor oil 5W40 with excellent stability characteristics, as indicated by compliance with the requirements of BMW LongLife. It does not lose viscosity over the entire 15,000 mileage, which, alas, is problematic for many synthetic 5W-40s in urban use in our market. However, the viscosity itself is closer to the upper limit of the requirements of the standard, so you should not expect much of the fuel efficiency from the Total Quartz 9000.

But in terms of engine cleanliness, this oil is one of the best: both high-temperature and low-temperature deposits accumulate in the engine for a very long time, so it will keep many tens of thousands of kilometers of cleanliness. There is a stock and the pour point.

The analyzes, as in the case of Lukoil, show a very similar picture in terms of ash and alkaline number, as well as chemical composition. However, the French are clearly using a more “durable” additive package.

It is recommended to recommend "Total" first of all for cars with mileage, especially hard-operated: here it is useful and relatively high viscosity, and a stock on a resource. Good cleaning properties will not be superfluous either. But new cars, perhaps, better “digest” the oil with thinner and more carefully related to catalysts: phosphorus and sulfur are too much here.

Within the chosen class of high-temperature viscosity, Mannol Classic is one of the most viscous: at 100 degrees it surpasses almost all competitors (15.9 mm2 / s!). So you certainly should not count on maximum efficiency, but for the owners of old cars, which are the main consumers of semi-synthetics, this will not be superfluous: less waste, more stable oil pressure. Best of all, of course, this engine oil is suitable for residents of the southern regions, but it is worthwhile to stay in the same Lukoil.

By alkaline number when compared with competitors, “Mannol” is a strong “middling”, here it is silly to find fault with it. The additive package does not shine super modern, the ash content is still too big. But we note the excellent protection of the engine - anti-friction properties are at a height here, including under critical loads.

Not bad, in general, the oil fell to the lower positions of the rating of the best motor oils for the expected reason: the price is too high. The fact that the first “diesel” class CF is indicated in the marking of the quality class according to API is unambiguously hinting that they have somewhat sacrificed with the universality of this oil in favor of performance in heavy fuel engines.

Best of all, this engine oil works in diesel engines with mileage - on commercial vehicles, old large SUVs. Especially if you have a turbocharger installed. So, let's say, the old Nissan Terrano with TD27T under the hood of this oil just will not refuse.

The list of tolerances of manufacturers is small here, the creators of the oil were limited only to “Mercedes” MB 229.1. That is, on the technique with a three-beam star on the hood, it can be used if the year of issue is not younger than 2002.

There are no complaints about the quality and stability of "Likvi Moli". It is a pity that in comparison with its competitors the price is not at all the most attractive.

In terms of cleanliness, the Mobil engine literally “comes on the heels” of a French competitor - a little more high-temperature deposits under the valve cover, but no more. You will see a noticeable difference except in five or six oil changes, but at the same time the difference in price will pay back the extra replacement of “Mobile”, and there will still be money. So in this regard, as a choice for a long time, ESP Formula looks like a better choice.

However, the total rating score had to be lowered: let's start with the fact that the high-temperature viscosity of the engine oil turned out to be lower, and moreover it changed more strongly in the course of its operation. Moreover, the alkaline number is also smaller, for the same period the acidity of the oil increases, while in Motul it does not change much. With this in mind, it is really worth reducing the service life mileage, and in this case, the savings on a one-time purchase with a long-term car operation are leveled. Here we also add a noticeable increase in wear - by aluminum almost 8 times, for iron - by 2.5!

But in the northern areas of Mobil Motul puts on the blades: the low-temperature viscosity is lower here, and the motor will be noticeably easier to start. To summarize: good engine oil for any climate zone, but with a replacement interval of about 8 thousand kilometers.

100% "synthetic", approved not by anyone, but concern General Motors. The oil has high energy-saving qualities and good lubricity. Standard dexos2 speaks about the excellent thermal stability of the material. The oil exhibits exceptional resistance at high temperatures and practically does not increase the viscosity at low temperatures. The formation of deposits is also prevented. Buy now. General Motors approves.

The oil has tolerances of all main “consumers” of low-viscosity lubricants - Ford, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Subaru. The alkaline number here is significantly lower than that of Idemitsu (6.6), but against the background of many modern oils it is not the worst result.

In actual operation, most owners note low waste of oil, which is quite unexpected for 0W20 - yet low viscosity contributes to the removal through crankcase ventilation, and the wear of the piston rings and valve seals comes out quickly with such oils. In terms of wear of high-loaded parts, the degree of formation of deposits, we also have no complaints about Liqui Moly.

However, there are disadvantages everywhere: as we grow older, the rapid decrease of the base number with a simultaneous increase in acidity is noticeable; the number of long-livers cannot be attributed to oil - 8000 for it is an obvious limit. However, this can be understood if you go into the nuances of terminology: the brand term of Liqui Moly “HC-synthetics” hides behind itself hydrocracking oil, obtained by deep processing of oil.That is, in fact, we face a complex and expensive, but semi-synthetics, most of the properties of which are given by the additive package, and not by the base oil. Rapid aging, alas, is not surprising.

The list of “regalia” on the line canister of BMW High Performance Diesel Oil and Lexus LFA Service Fill is a good recommendation for engine oil. But the high-temperature viscosity pumped up - it is closer to the lower limit of the standard, for highly accelerated motors it is worth considering.

High base number promises a decent service life, and the content of calcium, zinc and the philosopher in fresh samples indicates a powerful additive package. Molybdenum was also detected in samples, but this oil is not a purely “disulfide” product, that is, there are no characteristic minus of oils on MoS2.

For high loads and high temperatures, this motor oil is one of the best: a large proportion of antifriction and extreme pressure additives, a relatively low volatility. However, the viscosity at low temperatures is too big for him and decreases as the engine warms up slowly enough, so that in the middle lane and north of the engine, a long and neat warm-up will be required in winter.

The synthetic base combined with molybdenum disulfide, on the one hand, promises stable performance and excellent engine protection under high loads, on the other hand, attention needs: MoS2 when interacting with moisture (condensate in the crankcase, for example) gives molybdenum oxide and sulfuric acid as a result, so that car operation will require strict adherence to the oil replacement.

With the physical characteristics, everything is fine with Eneos - the norms of viscosity standards are maintained, with aging the parameters “float away” are not critical. I would like to see a higher base number (in this case, 7.4), especially considering the specificity of the molybdenum additive.As a result, we have a well-protecting engine, but it is not the longest-lived oil, and in winter it is worth reducing its replacement period in comparison with summer - do not forget about condensate!

Another representative of France (however, if we consider that Elf oils are also produced at Total factories, in fact, we are considering products from one manufacturer). However, if Elf, both for use at authorized dealers and for certification, is primarily oil for French diesel engines, then Total has recommendations from other companies - Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and the Asian market is not forgotten - Subaru, Honda, Hyundai / Kia.

Let's say right away - the oil, although it fits completely into all the stated standards, but in general, Elf loses in stability and low-temperature viscosity. To a certain extent, this has its justification in the form of a lower price, but the difference is not so great. The alkaline number is lower, and the detergent package loses in efficiency - there are less sediments when the engine is running on Elf. The real life of the oil does not exceed 8000 kilometers.

The French brand again closes the top three of the rating of the best low-ash oils. At this time, Motul again unpleasantly stood out for its price, but what could he offer for this money?

According to viscosity characteristics, Motul was not surprised - they retain excellent stability, but in class 30 there are also thicker representatives, when heated, the oil gets closer to the lower bar of the standard. Note the excellent anti-wear properties, but at the same time we chide on a significant drop in the base number (from 7.5 to 4.9). However, taking into account the fact that acidity is not growing, as well as an increase in the content of oxidation products is not noted, Motul oil is worthy of recognition as a leader in performance characteristics and engine protection against wear, and is fully capable of passing the currently 15,000 standard service run. Is it worth it to pay for it more than 3 thousand - you decide, but we still have to lower points for the price.