The engine is the heart of the car, thanks to its work, movement is possible and without high-quality timely maintenance it can break. Since the repair of the main power unit is the most expensive, it is much easier to monitor its operation and replace the working fluids in time. For example, an important element in the operation of an engine is oil, which plays the role of lubricating engine parts: pistons, gears, and so on. Unlike a gasoline engine, a diesel unit is more demanding on the lubricant. At the same time, numerous factors affect the intervals of its change.

The frequency of lubricant change depends on many factors, but it is usually indicated in the vehicle's manual. Different models require different quality oil, so the change in lubricant usually differs depending on which brand of machine, the type of oil used and what the operating conditions are.

TIP: The engine oil should be changed every 8-12 thousand kilometers, or once a year, at least, so you will extend the life of the engine and all its parts.

Often, the mineral oil liquid in the engine becomes unusable after 5,000 kilometers, but the synthetic analogue can withstand 15,000 kilometers.

But, of course, several factors also affect the life of the grease:

1. The age of the car - over time, abrasive particles begin to be released in the engine due to the ability to erode the metal parts of the power unit;
2. The intensity of car use - the more often you start the car, the faster the lubricant inside the engine becomes unusable;
3. Mode of movement - depending on the driving style, the lubricant begins to act in different ways, for example, when the engine overheats, the oil foams and stops performing its functions until the engine cools down
4. The quality of the fuel used directly affects the operation of the engine, and hence the service life of the lubricating fluids;
5. Dirt and dust inside parts - Dirt trapped inside the engine makes the oil fluid unusable.

Since the frequency of oil changes directly depends on the quality of the fuel, driving style, and the quality of the road surface, you should think about how to save money on more rare oil changes. If you use quality diesel fuel and drive carefully, you can certainly extend the life of the lubricating oil inside the engine.

In any case, if the engine of your car is subject to various kinds of loads and it is affected by one of the factors from the list above, then you need to change the lubricant more often. In this case, on average, it is necessary to change the oil 2-3 times a year, and the mileage interval will decrease to 4,000 kilometers with a mineral composition and up to 10,000 kilometers when using synthetics.

What oil to use in a diesel engine

When changing the lubricant yourself, you should select a special oil specifically for the diesel engine. It is forbidden to use oil fluid for gasoline engines in engines powered by diesel fuel. In addition, it is important to purchase an original proprietary mixture, since a fake can lead to malfunctioning of the unit.

If you do not know which oil is right for your car, read carefully the instructions for its operation, there is all the necessary information. If you are in doubt about your choice, then it is better to consult with a specialist in a car store when buying an oil fluid.

You should also purchase an oil filter and all the necessary tools: a screwdriver, a cork wrench, a container for draining the mining. If you don't have a pit in your garage, you will also need a jack to make changing the diesel oil easier and hassle-free.

DIY engine oil change

It is best to replace the oil fluid in a car service specialists, but in fact, this process is quite simple and any motorist can do it. It is very important to change the oil on time, as this affects the operation of the machine's power unit.

Since the viscosity of the lubricant directly depends on its temperature, the first step is to warm up the oil liquid. To do this, the engine starts, let it run for a few minutes so that the lubricant is heated to a sufficient temperature. This will allow it to be drained faster and there will be no likelihood that part of the mining will remain inside the unit.

The diesel engine has a special drain hole through which the used lubricant should be drained. As a rule, it is located under the bottom of the car and is closed with a special stopper. For more convenient draining of mining, it is better to drive the car into the garage above the pit, or raise it on a jack. You should also prepare a container for used grease. By placing a bucket or basin under the hole, you can unscrew the plug, but note that the heated oil will tend to pour out, so you should be careful.

After all the mining has poured out, the plug is installed back into place and the engine oil filter is replaced, which must be purchased in advance. When changing it, you need to clean all the fastening parts in order to avoid its rapid clogging. After installing a new filter, we check the quality of fastening of all parts and start filling with new oil.

TIP: During the operation of a diesel car, experts recommend using oil grease from the same brand throughout its life.

New oil fluid is poured into a special hole on the outside of the engine. In this case, it is important to ensure that its level does not exceed the mark on the dipstick. After the end of the lubricant change, you can check all the fasteners and connections, and then start operating the car.

Video: do it yourself oil change in a diesel engine

When determining the intervals for changing engine oil, we are guided by the manual.

The engine oil change interval is always negotiated by the manufacturer of your car in the manual (manual) or in the service bulletin (Service bulletin). As a rule, the manufacturer indicates the engine oil change interval in kilometers (or in miles). There are also restrictions in the time period - 3 months -6 months - 1 year. The car can stand in the garage all winter and not go out on the road, and the oil in the engine will still lose its original properties - that is why the manufacturers have introduced a time limit. It is impossible to conclude “I roll very little on the run, so I will change the oil every 2 years”.

It is not right to decide for yourself how often you change the oil, not based on the manufacturer's recommendations! Only the manufacturer of your car, who designed and built your car, knows better at what change interval do you need to change the oil! The car manual is a kind of bible, when making decisions, you should always look back at this document. Remember, your car has been designed and created by thousands of engineers and specialists, they have already calculated and tested everything for us - no need to consider yourself smarter than VW or Toyota and reinvent the wheel. It is necessary to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations as much as possible!

Rely on the manufacturer, but don't make a mistake yourself ...

But the manufacturer also needs to be able to interpret correctly! Recently, manufacturers have begun to increase the engine oil change intervals. For the sake of economy, ecology, limiting legislative acts in some countries, oil change intervals have significantly increased 30,000 km, 50,000 km, etc.

There are special "long life" oils for extended oil drain intervals "LongLife". But these oils can only be poured at extended drain intervals into engines that are suitable for this! It is impossible to conclude "If I fill in Longlife oil in VAZ Kalina, then I can not change the oil 30,000 km." Kalina's engine will kill such oil much faster!

Extended oil change intervals are relevant for countries with a "mild" climate, good fuel quality, clean roads, high-quality oils, timely maintenance. In severe operating conditions of the car - such prolonged change intervals can lead to premature aging of the engine oil and engine wear!

For example, when you try to start the engine at -30C, fill the crankcase with gasoline and eventually do not start, the oil liquefies, under the influence of gasoline it loses its properties, and the manufacturer does not take this into account. You can skate 30,000 km on such spoiled oil and then guess where the wear comes from.

Example: In the list of approved Longlife-04 oils, BMW writes:

The use of Longlife-04 oils in gasoline engines is only permitted in European countries (EC plus Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein). Outside this region, their use is prohibited due to the often questionable fuel quality.

Link to white paper: BMW Longlife-04 approved oils. That is, these oils are not suitable for Russian conditions, taking into account the extended drain intervals!

What is harsh operating conditions?

Severe operating conditions include:

1. Poor fuel quality. The fuel never burns out completely. When fuel is burned in the engine, combustion products are formed - ash, soot, tar, sulfur, etc. Deposits form on the inner walls of the engine - carbon deposits, sludge, varnish, etc. The worse the quality of the fuel, the more deposits and unwanted combustion products. Engine oil depletes faster! Russian oil was already initially considered to be of lower quality due to the high content of sulfur, as well as heavy and cyclic hydrocarbons. To this must be added the peculiarities of "Russian business" and the absence of strict control over the production and sale of fuel. Fuel quality is constantly leaping from filling to filling. Production of gasoline from 76th to 92nd by adding additives. Water condensation, sand, dirt in storage and transport tanks, etc. All this affects the life of the engine oil! Therefore, at least somehow to save yourself from these negative factors, you can only by refueling at proven gas stationsand frequent oil change intervals! It is the frequent oil changes that help remove unwanted products from the engine, neutralize sulfur from burnt fuel, slow down oxidative processes, etc. No LongLife or PAO synthetic oils with long drain intervals can miraculously remove all of this from the engine.
2. Short distance trips... On short trips over short distances, the engine does not have time to warm up. The engine oil does not have time to reach operating temperature. Additives that neutralize fuel combustion products work slower due to the slowdown of chemical processes in an unheated engine. Low-temperature deposits form, clogging filter elements and impairing oil circulation in the lubrication system. The operation of the engine in the mode "started - drove 5 km - turned off" leads to the transformation of condensate formed on the inner walls into water. Water in oil leads to oil flooding - premature aging of the engine oil.
3. Dusty roads, or roads that are treated with anti-icing agents. The air filter does not catch all of the dust particles - a small amount still gets into the engine. It is also not uncommon for unfiltered air to enter the engine, through a filter of poor quality, abnormal air intake (cracked air hose, gasket stiffened), etc. When the engine is operated in dusty conditions, dust particles accumulating during engine operation cause abrasive wear of parts and reduce the antiwear properties of the oil. In simple terms, dust and sand fall into the cylinder-piston group and, of course, it does not bring anything good.
4. Traffic jams, long trips at low speeds, long idle idle. Constant acceleration and deceleration in traffic jams load the engine the most, the oil works faster. At idle speed (XX), the oil pressure in the system is several times lower than at full speed - oil flows to the engine components not as well as it happens at full speed along the highway. This also happens on long low-speed journeys. For example, on a dirt road "where you can't really accelerate." The engine is under heavy load and the engine oil is not supplied abundantly. The engine at idle speed (XX) is poorly washed with oil, as a result of which, again, rings may lie, deposits accumulate on the walls of the engine. The car owner at this time calmly looks at the odometer, where the cherished 15,000 km have not yet come and convinces himself that "everything is fine!"
5. Operation in extremely high or extremely low ambient temperatures. When operating a car in summer heat, the engine is exposed to high temperatures, the oil heats up, and therefore the oil film becomes thinner, the coefficient of friction increases, and the oil film on the surface of the friction pairs may break. If we add to this the towing of a trailer, and even high speeds on the highway, we get a very tough mode. Remember yourself, on a trip to the South, during the holidays - we will load with the whole family, pick up a trailer and "spar" at high speeds along the highway - it would be faster to get to the sea / or back home. This is exactly the case! High air temperature also accelerates oxidative processes in the engine and affects the development of the engine oil resource. Operating the engine at low temperatures also affects the life of the engine oil! Attempts to start the engine in cold weather often lead to the fact that the engine is not started, and fuel was supplied at that time. Fuel settling in the crankcase enters the engine oil and dilutes it. Subsequently, the fuel, of course, burns out and evaporates, but the oil is already spoiled and in a miraculous way, to a fresh state, cannot be restored. In winter, we often warm up the engine before starting to drive, but long idle (XX) downtime is again not good for engine oil. The engine is running - and the car does not "reel" the mileage, meanwhile we change the oil according to the mileage!
6. Towing a trailer, transporting heavy loads in the trunk, operating a car in mountainous areas.It is no secret that in a heavily loaded technique, oil develops its resource much faster. If you use your car to uproot stumps in the country, you will wear out the engine ten times faster than during normal operation. The more the engine is loaded, the faster the oil wears out in it. Car operation in mountainous areas, where ups and downs are frequent, also seriously affects the reduction of the engine oil resource.

It is generally accepted that operating conditions are difficult in Russia! On our resource site, we have seen examples and confirmations that the Japanese in Japan, Europeans in Europe, Americans in the USA - consider their "greenhouse" operating conditions - difficult and cut the change intervals in half! Then what are the operating conditions in Russia?

On-board computer as a guideline for oil change times.

In modern cars, the on-board computer, based on the data received, itself signals when to change the oil. The service interval (mileage until the next service) is calculated based on the distance traveled over a certain period of time, the fuel consumed and the temperature change over the same period. Data is collected from various sensors in the car, crankshaft speed sensor, oil temperature sensor, distance traveled from the tachometer, fuel consumption, etc. Based on this data, the control unit calculates the remaining mileage before maintenance and signals the required service interval on the display.

Fig 2. An example of how the service interval is calculated in Skoda cars:

Fig 3. Depending on the data received, the on-board computer can give various options:

But you need to understand that an on-board computer is just a car., which does not take into account many factors, and was created by its manufacturer, who also cannot take into account all factors! Therefore, you will not make it worse if you change the oil more often - you will only make it better!

So, what engine oil change interval should you choose?

Let's highlight the main points when choosing an engine oil change interval.

1. We look at the manufacturer's manual... It is the manual, and not the translations of third-party Russian publications taken from where it is not clear! In the manual, we find a plate with the change intervals, and the lines "under severe operating conditions, we recommend to reduce the change interval by half." Sometimes there is nothing in the manual about the mileage. We are looking for official technical documents, usually in English. Be sure to follow the official recommendations of the manufacturer of your car!
2. We define our operating conditions.In most cases, if you live in Russia, you have just harsh operating conditions! But there are exceptions! For example: You live in a quiet, provincial town with no traffic jams. Moderate climate, the temperature in summer is not more than + 30C, there is no frost in winter. The car is used daily and drives at least 20-30 km after starting. The car does not idle for 20-30 minutes (you do not use the autostart function of your alarm - yes, this is also harmful!). You fill up the fuel at one filling station, you know for sure that it is of good purification, with a low sulfur content. Fuel is supplied directly from the refinery, all documents are in order (and in general, this is your relative's gas station 🙂). The terrain is flat, not dusty, the roads are asphalt (because recently the president came to your city 🙂). In these cases, you do not have to shorten the change interval and consider that you have normal operating conditions! In all other cases, consider your operating conditions as difficult!
3. What kind of oil do you fill? If you pour mineral oil, it lives less - you need to make discounts on this. This also applies to "synthetic" hydrocracked oils (VHVI, Group III). If you pour real synthetics of PAO / Esters - they live longer than mineral oils and hydrocracking oils - but don't flatter yourself! In motor oil, in addition to the base oil, there is a package of additives that work, regardless of whether they are dissolved in synthetics, or in mineral water. If you have severe operating conditions, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the engine oil. On oils with a low base number (for example TBN \u003d 5-6), as well as on bad high-sulfur fuel - it is not advisable to drive with long change intervals!
4. What is your engine? If the engine of your car is equipped with a turbine, the oil develops its resource faster than in a simple atmospheric engine. There are manufacturers who recommend in difficult conditions, for turbo engines, the change period is 2500 km!

Example 1: Let's try to determine the change interval for the 2008 toyota camry.
Find toyota official document: We open the manual, we see in the table the recommended change interval of 14000 km , below it is written in small text "Under severe operating conditions, reduce the shift interval in half." We divide 14000/2 \u003d 7000 km. Final choice: Change interval 7000 km.

What do motor oil manufacturers say?

Engine oil manufacturers almost always maintain solidarity with automakers about oil change intervals. Almost everywhere it says "Refer to your vehicle's manual." But there are expert answers in the form of advice. In their responses, engine oil manufacturers almost always rely on the recommendations of the automakers!

In conclusion of the article, I would like to cite the FAQ, a very famous and popular in the West, motor oil manufacturer Valvoline.

Question: Do I need to shorten my oil change interval to 3000 miles (about 5000 km)?
Answer: Valvoline recommends changing the oil every 3000 miles (about 5000 km). Most car enthusiasts (more than 80% of drivers, according to a California study) operate a car under severe operating conditions (start-stop mode, driving short distances, towing, very high or very low temperatures, etc.) operating conditions, in most recommendations 3750 miles or less, and 3000 miles (about 5000 km) is the most common recommendation. Engine oil and oil filters have a shorter life under severe operating conditions due to increased contamination. Thus, changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles (about 5000 km) is the best way to maintain a healthy engine.

You can subscribe to every word! It is the frequent engine oil change intervals - 5000 km, that will protect you from the accumulation of deposits in the engine, from the negative effects of poor quality fuel, from the harsh operating conditions of the car, etc. Shortened engine oil change intervals are one of the most effective ways to keep your engine in top condition! With 5000 km change intervals, the car engine will serve faithfully for many years!

Any engine is subjected to various mechanical and temperature stresses during operation. Therefore, the fact of timely maintenance of the main units, systems and mechanisms of the car is quite important. One of the components of this complex of works is the timely replacement of the oil in the diesel engine.

Every car enthusiast knows that it is advisable to use only proven high-quality motor lubricants. But at the same time, it is important to know that it is necessary to observe the optimal oil change interval in a diesel engine. Because this is the only way to guarantee uninterrupted and correct operation of the motor without "hitting" the overhaul.

The value of using oil in engine operation

Driving a car without engine oil is simply impossible. The action of such a lubricant is based on the simplest principle. The design of any engine, regardless of whether it runs on gasoline or diesel fuel, implies the presence of many interacting units and parts.

During operation, they are constantly exposed to heating or cooling, pressure, friction, etc. Motor oil lubricant is designed to lubricate every part to reduce the effects of the above factors.

Of course, the mechanics take on most of all the loads, but in this case it is the oil that is the necessary element of the entire working system, which can significantly reduce the degree of loads arising on the metal.

When the engine is running, the lubricant is subjected to constant heat and pressure. Moreover, the latter criterion exceeds, for example, the pressure of an ordinary household water supply system by several tens of times. Therefore, like any other product, the oil gradually begins to wear out, that is, burn.

Of course, visually it doesn't look like a fire, not at all. It's just that the grease begins to thicken, its color changes (it becomes black), and, therefore, its protective function is significantly reduced.

If you operate the engine without lubrication, then all the parts will knock, bump and rub against each other during interaction. This will invariably lead to various mechanical damage (cracks, chips, potholes, etc.), which will inevitably cause a large-scale car breakdown.

The same, in part or in full, can occur with wear or a significant decrease in the engine oil level.

When is it necessary to change the oil?

Any car manufacturer indicates the optimal oil change intervals in the instructions. As a rule, manufacturers recommend changing the mineral oil at the following intervals: every five thousand kilometers, and for synthetic - up to fifteen thousand.

However, these figures are not always adequate, given the state of Russian roads in comparison with European counterparts. Therefore, it is very important for the car owner to always listen to the engine's operation, periodically diagnose its operation, and carefully monitor the condition and level of engine oil.

There are several fundamental factors that can have a fairly significant impact on the functionality of the engine and, accordingly, on the quality and condition of the lubricant.

1. One of the main factors is the "age criterion" of the vehicle, because it leads to annual aging and partial destruction of the main components and mechanisms.
2. Intensity of exploitation. It implies the nature of travel: short-term or long-distance. The fact is that during a long trip, the oil warms up quite strongly, gradually lubricates every necessary engine part. At short distances this does not happen, the lubricant simply does not have time to "service" the motor.
3. Driving nature. The driver's manner of driving his car also plays an important role. If he is an adherent of sharp braking, sharp turns, skidding or overgrowing, then the incorrect operation of the engine after a while is guaranteed to him. This happens because with such "bends" almost all car systems are overloaded, thereby increasing the friction force between individual parts and assemblies. And engine oil, the main function of which is precisely to reduce the degree of friction and wear, is simply not able, according to the laws of physics, to do this as efficiently as possible.
4. Fuel quality level. If a low-quality product is used, then during its combustion, a specific sediment will certainly form, capable of covering all the main engine parts, which means that their driving property will decrease. In this case, the oil is not able to properly lubricate, since the formed sediment will become a significant obstacle.
5. Poor road surface leads to additional loads on vehicle components, which results in rapid wear of parts. In addition, driving in dusty areas is conducive to the formation of a film of dust on engine parts, similar to sludge from low-quality fuel. In these cases, the effect of the engine oil is also significantly limited.

All these factors should be taken into account when choosing the optimal oil change interval in a diesel engine, regardless of the number indicated in kilometers or calendar days in the manufacturer's instructions.

As practice shows, for a diesel engine operated in the conditions of the Russian climate and the quality of roads, the interval for changing the lubricant varies from eight to twelve thousand kilometers.

Automotive practice has identified several recommendations, the observance of which will fully ensure the correct, long-term and uninterrupted operation of the diesel engine.

• It is rational to use oil, the brand of which is stated in the instructions for the car. It is he who has all the necessary standard tolerances, is the most optimal for a particular diesel engine, in contrast to universal grease.
• At the same time as updating the oil, you should not neglect the periodic replacement of the filter.
• It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the oil, its thickness and color.
• Using the same type of engine oil makes it possible with a high probability to exclude situations when the old oil interacts with the newly filled one. In this case, various insoluble deposits will not form on the engine parts, which means that the flushing process before changing the oil partially loses its relevance.
• You should only buy liquid lubricant from the official representatives of a particular brand of engine oil.

The design and principle of operation of a diesel engine are somewhat different from those of a gasoline engine. In this regard, higher requirements are put forward for the selection of oil and compliance with the interval for its replacement, compliance with which will significantly extend the period of uninterrupted operation of the vehicle.

Engine oil must be changed regularly - every driver knows this. After all, changing the oil will help keep the engine working longer, the repair of which is one of the most expensive services in a car service. To avoid unnecessary costs in the future, it is necessary to take care not only of the quality of the fuel in the fuel tank, but also of a good engine oil for the power unit. It is recommended to change the oil in the fuel system of a diesel car every 5000-15000 km or once a year if the mileage is not large. You can find out more about how often the lubricant needs to be changed in a particular car in the vehicle operating instructions. The brand of diesel oil recommended by this manufacturer will also be indicated there. Better to stick to these recommendations.

There are different types of motor oils on sale. They are divided into synthetic and mineral, summer and winter. Mineral oils are inferior in their characteristics to synthetic ones and are used mainly in domestic cars. Synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants are more reliable and comfortable for an engine that runs smoothly with such protection. Semi-synthetic oils are universal, they can be filled in both gasoline and diesel engines. Summer oils will not allow you to start the engine in frost, and winter oils can bring you in extreme heat, so it is better to choose all-season greases that do not lose their properties at any ambient temperature. The engine oil change interval depends on the type of power unit, mileage and quality of fuels and lubricants.

Changing the engine oil on his own requires a certain amount of observation from the driver, because oil that is not topped up on time can lead to serious damage to the power unit, and its repair is not cheap, especially for diesel cars. You can check the lubricant level using a special dipstick, which is located next to the inspection neck. The engine must be cooled down and the machine must be parked on a level surface. The probe is taken out of its socket, wiped and again lowered into the hole. The oil level is determined from the oil spot and the corresponding marks on the dipstick. The distance between the maximum and minimum level corresponds to one liter of grease. Insufficiently lubricated moving parts of the machine will wear out quickly due to the resulting friction during engine operation.

Before the direct replacement of diesel oil begins, it is necessary to drain the remaining mixture and flush the system. To do this, the car is driven into a pit. Turn off the engine and open the hood of the car. The diesel should be warmed up to 70-80 degrees. Then there are two ways to get rid of the remnants of the used mixture: use a five-pack fluid, flushing fluids or regular oil of the same brand. Concentrated additives "five-menutka" are poured directly into the used lubricant and the engine is started at idle speed for 5 minutes, and then drained. Poor-quality cleaning fluids can damage motor parts; aggressive components corrode the surface of the parts.

There is a large selection of flushing compositions on sale that are poured into an empty system after the waste material has already been drained. But this agent does not come out of the engine completely. Up to 20% of the wash settles in the engine, which mixes with fresh engine oil and impairs its properties. In particular, the balance of oil additives is disturbed, which guarantee additional opportunities when using a certain brand of lubricant. The third way to flush the engine is to use standard oil, which is then drained. After cleaning the engine, unscrew the old, expired oil filter and install a new one. The filter has a copper gasket under the plug that comes with it. She changes too. The rubber elements are lubricated. This is done before installing the filter in place.

Changing the oil in a diesel engine is not a complicated process. You can do this yourself without outside help. To do this, drain the used oil through the crankcase drain hole by unscrewing the plug in it. The oil filler plug is previously removed. There you need to fill in a gentle flushing agent that does not damage engine parts in the amount of 3-3.5 liters. The engine is started and left to run for 5 minutes. Then the flushing liquid is drained into a prepared container as well as the remaining grease. Close the crankcase plug. Then the filter changes. If it is covered by the crankcase guard, it must be removed. Fresh engine oil is charged into the prepared system through the filler hole. Its level is checked with a dipstick, and the required amount is found in the instructions for the car.

Diesel power units differ in certain features compared to gasoline engines. In this regard, changing the oil in a diesel engine has certain subtleties. Special requirements are imposed on the quality of the lubricating fluid poured into diesel-powered units. Change intervals are largely influenced by the operating conditions and the quality of the fuel used.

Diesel engine oils

To change the oil in a diesel engine, a special lubricating fluid is required. It must have a class of at least B2 according to the ACEA classification or CD according to API. The viscosity parameter must be selected taking into account the tolerances set by the automaker.

Most often, for diesel power units, universal semi-synthetic and synthetic lubricants are used, the viscosity index of which is 5W40 or 10W40. Additionally, it is recommended to take into account the type of product (synthetics, semi-synthetics, mineral water). It is also important to respect the engine oil change interval.

You can find out about gasoline engines from a separate article on the site, and today we will look at everything about changing the oil in diesel engines.

Why is the oil changed more often in diesel engines?

The engine life of a diesel unit depends on the quality and suitability of the oil used, in accordance with all the recommendations in the operating manual from the automaker. For European cars, an oil change in diesel engines is recommended approximately every 10 thousand kilometers, while in gasoline units the oil can be changed every 15-17 thousand kilometers. Note that this is only true for good operating conditions in European countries.

It is important to note that gasoline and diesel fuel in Europe are of higher quality than in Russia and the CIS countries as a whole. Domestic diesel fuel contains more sulfur and other harmful impurities. As a result, engine oil ages and oxidizes faster. In the dealerships of our country, according to the regulations, they usually change the oil in gasoline engines after 10, and in diesel engines after 7.5 thousand kilometers. When using the machine in harsh conditions and traveling short distances, the interval will need to be shortened. In such cases, on diesel engines, the oil is changed every 5 thousand kilometers.

Some motorists mistakenly believe that modern turbocharged diesel engines running on synthetic and semi-synthetic fluids require less frequent replacement than older units, which were filled with mineral water.

Synthetics and semi-synthetics are distinguished by their ability to better retain their original properties and technical characteristics. Such oils better clean the internals of the engine from wear products, better protecting it from wear during the entire service life. Thus, expensive synthetics have higher performance characteristics, but even they need to be changed regularly.

With regard to lubricants with the Longlife mark, which are designed for higher mileage, as well as universal oils, things are not so simple with them. Initially, they are designed for diesel engines running on good diesel fuel that meets the standards of European countries. In the CIS, such diesel fuel is rare, therefore, the mentioned oils do not work as the manufacturer suggests.

What happens if you do not change the oil in a diesel engine for a long time?

The quality of diesel fuel and operating conditions significantly affect the life of the engine oil. Without timely replacement, the fluid will deteriorate and negatively affect the insides of the motor. Old oil contains dirt and dust particles that work like an abrasive.

The additives gradually present in the lubricant deteriorate and disintegrate, so the fluid no longer adequately protects the engine from wear, lubricating the rubbing surfaces. Additionally, the detergent properties of engine oil are reduced and soot begins to deposit in the diesel engine, as well as all kinds of harmful deposits.

In critical situations, it is possible to completely clog the oil channels of the lubrication system with dirty oil, which is heavily thickened. This leads to the need for expensive and complex overhauls. In the case of diesel engines, such repairs will be very expensive!

Changing the oil in a diesel engine is the most important procedure for extending the life of the power unit. We strongly recommend that car owners use only those oils that meet all tolerances. Ideally, you should fill in the original oil recommended by the car manufacturer. It is important to change the filter in the diesel engine with every oil change.

If you notice that the oil quickly darkened or even turned black almost immediately after changing, this does not mean that the quality of the lubricant is poor. On the contrary, when the oil darkens, it works. It contains detergent and dispersant additives that are beneficial to the powertrain.

Continuous operation of the machine on a certain type of oil from a particular brand eliminates the risk of interaction between the remnants of the old fluid and the fresh one. This will eliminate the appearance of insoluble and hazardous deposits. Consequently, you will not need to flush the power unit when changing the lubricant.

Oil change procedure in diesel engines

There are no fundamental differences between oil changes in a diesel engine compared to gasoline engines. The algorithm is about the same, but it is recommended to change the oil in a diesel engine on a heated engine so that the liquid is more liquid and drains out in full.

Drive the machine onto an inspection hole, overpass or lift with a lift. It is important that the body is horizontal to the ground. Open the hood, unscrew the filler cap and pull out the dipstick. Place a suitable container under the crankcase, into which you can drain the old fluid (it is important that all of it fits, otherwise you will stain the floor).

We unscrew the drain plug, which is a regular bolt. Do this carefully or you may burn yourself. On average, 4-5 liters of grease flows out of the engine in 5-7 minutes. After that, you need to unscrew the oil filter using a special wrench or screwdriver. In the second case, you need to pierce the filter housing and use a screwdriver as a lever. Many experienced motorists recommend filling a new filter with oil before screwing in, but this is not true for new cars. The main thing is to lubricate the threads and the sealing gum, after which you can screw the new filter into place.

Screw in the drain plug, and it is advisable to replace the gasket (it looks like a copper washer). Tighten the bolt carefully so as not to rip the threads, and it is generally better to tighten the filter by hand - such efforts will be enough.

Pour fresh purchased oil into the filler neck through a funnel so as not to spill anything. Fill with about 20% less oil than stated in the instruction manual. This is due to the fact that not all of the liquid is drained during replacement. Check the level with a dipstick so that the liquid is between the min and max marks. Screw on the filler cap, insert the dipstick and start the engine while the oil pressure light on the dashboard disappears. Stop the engine and check the oil level in the system with the dipstick again. Top up if needed, but it's important not to overdo it. If the fluid is greater than the maximum, the gaskets and seals may be damaged.

As you can see, changing the oil in a diesel engine is not difficult, so there is no need to spend money on a visit to a service center. Everything can be done by hand, saving some money.