Vehicle oils and additives play an important role in improving the performance of motor vehicles and ensuring their longevity. Vehicle oils prevent wear by reducing the friction of the parts inside the engine and enable the engine to operate more efficiently. At the same time, thanks to their resistance to high temperatures, they prevent the engine from overheating and preserve the engine's performance.

Vehicle oils keep the engine clean and prevent the formation of deposits, thanks to the additives they contain. This ensures longer life of the engine. Detergents and dispersants contained in the oil clean the dirt and deposits inside the engine, allowing the engine to run more efficiently.

Vehicle oils also contain substances that prevent oxidation. These substances prevent the oil from oxidizing, allowing the oil to last longer. Thanks to its anti-corrosion properties, it prevents the parts inside the engine from rusting and extends the life of the engine.

Oils and Additives

Engine oil and its additives are critical elements that directly affect the performance, efficiency and longevity of the vehicle. Engine oil protects the moving parts of the engine, reducing friction, preventing wear and helping to cool the engine. Oil additives improve the properties of engine oil and enable the engine to run more efficiently and smoothly. In this article, we will discuss in detail the functions of engine oils and their additives, their different types and how they affect engine performance.

What is the Function of Engine Oil?

Engine oil is used to ensure the smooth operation of the moving parts inside the engine. The main function of oil is to reduce friction by creating a film between parts. In this way, contact between engine parts is minimized and wear is prevented. Engine oil also helps cool the engine. While the engine is running, high heat is generated as a result of the combustion of fuel. Engine oil takes this heat and carries it to the engine's cooling system and keeps the engine at ideal operating temperature. Engine oil helps keep the engine clean by cleaning dirt, dust and metal particles inside the engine.

Types of Engine Oil

Engine oils are basically divided into three main groups: mineral oils, synthetic oils and semi-synthetic oils. Each type of oil has different properties and is suitable for certain engine types and operating conditions.

Mineral Engine Oils

Mineral engine oils are obtained by refining crude oil. These oils are suitable for older and lower performance engines. Mineral oils are less expensive than synthetic oils, but they are less resistant to temperature changes and need to be changed more frequently. It is preferred in daily use and low-density vehicles.

Synthetic Engine Oils

Synthetic engine oils are obtained from chemically produced, high-quality base oils. These oils show excellent performance over a wide temperature range and minimize engine wear. Synthetic oils are ideal for high-performance and modern engines. It is long lasting and needs to be replaced less frequently. Synthetic engine oils increase the fuel efficiency of the engine and reduce emissions.

Semi-Synthetic Engine Oils

Semi-synthetic engine oils are obtained from a mixture of mineral and synthetic oils. These oils offer both the affordability of mineral oils and the superior performance characteristics of synthetic oils. Semi-synthetic oils are preferred for medium performance engines and provide a balanced performance in terms of both temperature resistance and long life.

Engine Oil Viscosity and Its Importance

Engine oil viscosity expresses the degree of fluidity of the oil and determines how the engine performs at different temperatures. Viscosity is indicated on oil cans in a format such as "10W-40". These numbers show how the oil behaves at low and high temperatures. The first number refers to how fluid the oil is in cold weather, and the second number refers to how viscous the oil is at high temperatures. Choosing the right viscosity ensures that the engine remains at ideal operating temperature and increases the efficiency of the engine. Wrong viscosity selection may cause the engine to overheat or insufficient lubrication.

Engine Oil Additives and Why Are They Used?

Engine oil additives are chemical components used to increase the performance of engine oil and ensure a longer life of the engine. These additives are formulated to improve certain properties of the engine oil or to give it new properties. Engine oil additives enable the engine to perform better under different operating conditions and help protect the internal parts of the engine.

Detergent and Dispersant Additives

Detergent and dispersant additives are used to clean the dirt, soot and deposits inside the engine and to prevent the accumulation of these particles in critical areas of the engine. These additives keep the engine clean and extend the life of the engine. These additives increase the efficiency of the engine by cleaning the carbon deposits formed in the combustion chambers of the engine.

Viscosity Improvers

Viscosity improver additives ensure that the engine oil remains stable against temperature changes. These additives prevent the oil from thinning at high temperatures and thickening at low temperatures, ensuring ideal lubrication of the engine under all conditions. Viscosity improvers prevent the engine from starting easier in cold weather and overheating at high temperatures.

Antiwear Additives

Antiwear additives minimize wear by reducing the friction between the moving parts of the engine. These contributions are especially important when the engine operates under extreme load. Anti-wear additives extend the life of the engine and ensure that the engine runs quieter and more smoothly.

Antioxidant Additives

Antioxidant additives prevent the oxidation of engine oil, making the oil last longer. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that damages engine oil and reduces its quality. Antioxidant additives prevent this reaction, preserving the properties of the engine oil and ensuring that the engine performs higher for longer.

Antifoam Additives

Antifoam additives prevent air bubbles and foaming that may occur in the engine oil. Foaming can reduce the fluidity and lubricating ability of the oil, resulting in poor engine lubrication and wear. Antifoam additives ensure that the engine runs smoothly even at high speeds.

How to Use Engine Oil Additives?

Engine oil additives are used by adding them to the engine oil. However, not every additive may be suitable for every engine type. Therefore, it is important to check the engine manufacturer's recommendations before using additives. Engine oil additives should be used to solve a specific problem or improve the performance of the engine. Using additives unnecessarily may disrupt the balance of the engine and lead to undesirable results.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Oil Additives

Engine oil additives have many benefits. These include extending engine life, increasing engine performance, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. However, oil additives may not always be beneficial. Using the wrong additive may disrupt the engine's balance and negatively affect engine performance. Some additives may be incompatible with engine oil and may damage internal parts of the engine. Therefore, it is important to be careful when using oil additives and choose the right product.

Engine Oil Change Frequency and Its Relationship with Additives

Regular replacement of engine oil is critical to maintain engine performance and extend the life of the engine. Engine oil becomes dirty over time and loses its lubricating ability. This can lead to engine wear and loss of performance. Oil additives can extend the life of engine oil and reduce the frequency of oil changes. However, additives cannot prevent engine oil from being completely replaced. Engine oil must be changed at a certain mileage or time interval.

Importance of Engine Oils and Additives

Engine oils and additives are vital to ensure efficient, trouble-free and long-lasting operation of the engine. Choosing the right engine oil and additive increases engine performance, improves fuel efficiency and extends engine life. However, caution should be exercised when using oil additives and