In brief
Every short tip on the site in one list: choosing, changing and consuming oil, additives and maintenance.
Choosing oil
23 articles- How to correctly choose automotive oil? When choosing engine oil, you must always follow the recommendations written in the car's manual.
- Which car oil is better? In every case you need to follow the recommendations printed in the car's manual. The car oil that suits your engine is the one approved by the manufacturer…
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose The oil that suits your engine is the one approved for use by the car's manufacturer!
- What to take into account when choosing engine oil? The best car oil is the one approved by the car's manufacturer! When choosing oil, in every case you need to follow the requirements…
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose Automotive Oil? In every case you should follow the requirements written in the car's service book. The best engine oil…
- What to take into account when choosing oil? Always, in every case, stick to the requirements printed in the car's manual. The right engine oil is the one recommended by the car's manufacturer!
- What Parameters Should You Use to Choose an Engine Oil? What parameters should you use to choose an engine oil?
- What Criteria Should You Use to Choose Engine Oil? The oil that suits your engine is the oil approved by the car's manufacturer!
- Choosing the right oil An oil that suits your engine is one approved by the people who designed your car! In every case you need to…
- How to correctly choose engine oil? The right engine oil for a car is the one recommended by the engine's manufacturer! When choosing an automotive oil, you should always follow the recommendations…
- Choosing oil: the manufacturer's approval When choosing an engine oil, always follow the recommendations printed in your car's service book…
- Which oil is better? The best oil is the one recommended for use by your engine's manufacturer!
- Which car engine oil is better? you should always follow the requirements printed in the car's owner's manual.
- What to take into account when choosing car oil? When choosing car oil, always follow the recommendations given in the car's owner's manual…
- In Brief: Does Oil Add Horsepower? No engine oil will make your engine either more powerful or more economical — you need to put in whatever the engine manufacturer recommends . That means…
- In Brief: More Expensive Doesn't Mean Better... more expensive doesn't mean better...An expensive modern engine oil can finish off an old engine for good...
- Choosing oil: by parameters and approvals Automakers usually state their engine oil requirements in the owner's manual. What matters are the oil's parameters: quality categories under international specifications, viscosity, and the carmaker's approvals.
- How to choose the right automotive oil? Carmakers, as a rule, state their requirements for engine oils in the owner's manual.
- How to correctly choose automotive oil? The right engine oil has to match your engine's specifications!
- How to choose the right automotive oil? The range of engine oils on store shelves is overwhelming — which one is better to buy?
- Which engine oil is preferable? Synthetic oil definitely has more stable properties than mineral or semi-synthetic oil.
- Which oil should you choose? There's an incredible number of engine oils on the market, which one is better to buy? A properly chosen car oil has to be genuine…
- Which oil is more effective? Synthetic oil has more stable working properties than, say, mineral or semi-synthetic oil.
Types and composition of oils
1 article- Synthetic or mineral? Synthetic oil has more stable properties than, say, hydrocracked or semi-synthetic oil.
Manufacturer approvals
3 articles- In Brief: About Oil Approvals Many car manufacturers develop their own standards ( oil approvals ) that an engine oil must meet to be used in their engines. Individual engine oil brands are…
- In brief: on the compatibility of engines and oils Most modern low-viscosity Longlife oils are barred by carmakers from use in engines built before 2001. When choosing an oil, always read the engine…
- What oil should you put in a Mercedes? To see the up-to-date information, please follow the link below. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Oil change and intervals
42 articles- In brief: about “snowdrops”... If a car sits unused for a long stretch (over winter, for example) – start the engine at least once a week...
- In Brief: The “Weekend” Car... the “weekend” car...A car should be driven every day! If it's only used, say, on weekends...
- In brief: about traffic jams... the city is a harsh environment for an engine...If your car spends most of its life in city driving...
- How often to change Longlife oil? (the label on the can) Always be sure to follow the automaker's requirements for how long the service intervals should be.
- Service interval and Longlife engine oil The fact that the oil label allows for use with extended change intervals doesn't mean you can…
- How often to change Longlife oil? (the label on the pack) The word Longlife on a can of engine oil doesn't mean you can change the oil less often! Always be sure to…
- Longlife Whatever happens, you should stick to the oil change frequency the carmaker requires. The Longlife label on an oil can doesn't in itself mean…
- Longlife engine oils: the label on the packaging You should always follow the manufacturer's requirements regarding how long oil change intervals should be. The fact that engine oil packaging states it can be used with extended change intervals…
- Longlife engine oils: a tin of oil You should always follow the manufacturer's requirements regarding how long oil change intervals should be. The fact that a tin of engine oil states it can be used with extended oil change intervals…
- Longlife oils The fact that the maker states an engine oil's label allows it to be used with extended change intervals doesn't mean servicing can be done less often!
- How often to change Longlife engine oils The word Longlife on an oil's label does not, by itself, mean the oil needs changing less often! Whatever the case, you should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations…
- Longlife engine oils: the can and the service book The fact that an oil can states it's suitable for use with extended oil change intervals doesn't mean the servicing itself can be done less often!
- Longlife car oils The fact that a manufacturer has marked an oil's label as suitable for use with extended service intervals absolutely does not mean you can change this oil less often!
- Longlife engine oils: the oil label The fact that an engine oil label states it's suitable for use with extended oil change intervals doesn't in any way mean you can change the oil less often!
- How often should you change Longlife engine oil? Whatever else is going on, you must follow the car manufacturer's recommendations on how long the service intervals should be…
- Service interval and Longlife oil The word Longlife on the oil label doesn't by itself mean that servicing can be done less often!
- In brief: on Longlife and dirty streets... an extended service interval - not for our roads? If the car is driven in a dusty city...
- In Brief: Longlife Oil... Longlife oil...The option of using an extended service interval...
- Is engine flushing necessary? (genuine oil) If you use a genuine, quality oil, there is no need for regular flushing whatsoever! As a rule, engine oils…
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (genuine oil, no counterfeits) As a rule, automotive oils contain special detergent additives, so the engine gets flushed on its own. If your engine is filled with genuine, unadulterated…
- Is a flush needed? (genuine oil) As a rule, automotive oils contain detergent additives, so the self-cleaning of the engine's inner parts is carried…
- On engine flushing (no flushing needed) All oils contain detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself without any effort on your part.
- Does the engine need flushing? (quality oil, no counterfeits) As a rule, engine oils contain special detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself without any outside help. If your engine runs…
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (detergent additives in oil) As a rule, automotive oils contain special detergent additives, so the inside of the engine gets flushed without any effort on your part. If your engine is filled with a genuine, quality…
- Flushing the engine when changing the oil If your engine runs on genuine, unadulterated engine oil, there's no need to flush it during a regular change! All automotive oils contain special detergent additives…
- Flushing when changing engine oil If your engine runs on genuine, good automotive oil, flushing isn't needed when you change it! All oils contain…
- Is a flush needed? (detergent additives) As a rule, engine oils contain special detergent additives, so the engine gets flushed on its own. If you're using genuine, good oil…
- On engine flushing (detergent additives in the oil) Every oil contains special detergent additives, so the engine cleans itself without outside help. If your engine runs…
- Do you need to flush the engine? If your engine is running genuine, good automotive oil, there's no need to flush the engine every time you change it!
- Is engine flushing necessary? (detergent additives) As a rule, engine oils contain special detergent additives, so the engine's internal surfaces get cleaned without outside intervention…
- On engine flushing Every engine oil contains detergent additives, so the engine gets cleaned without any effort on your part.
- On engine flushing (flushing additives in the oil) If your engine runs on genuine, good engine oil, you don't need to flush it at every oil change!
- Does an engine need flushing? Every engine burns some engine oil, even one that’s just been bought. You can noticeably cut how much oil your car burns simply by changing your driving style…
- In brief: about engine flushing... about engine flushing...The safest way to flush an engine...
- To flush or not to flush the engine? (how to flush it correctly) If you always use genuine, quality oil, flushing the engine every time is pointless!
- Does the engine need flushing? (how to flush it correctly) If you use quality, genuine engine oil, there is no need to flush the engine!
- In Brief: Where to Change the Oil?... oil change - where's best?... Engine oil needs cleanliness. Changing the oil in the engine, and topping it up…
- Where to change your oil? When choosing a garage for your oil change, go where they keep the place clean, since any dirt that gets into the engine will surely minimise any benefit from the oil change…
- Where is it best to change your oil? When choosing a garage, make sure it's clean there, since any dirt that gets into the engine will substantially hasten the need for expensive repairs and will surely wipe out any benefit from the oil change.
- Oil change - where and how is best? It's better not to cut corners either on engine maintenance or on choosing your oil. When picking a garage, use one that's clean.
- Where is it best to change your oil? Nothing can harm an engine as much as dust, dirt, and a stingy owner!
- Where is it best to change your car's oil? The engine's enemies: an owner's excessive thriftiness, dust and dirt!
Oil consumption and additives
41 articles- Higher oil consumption Higher oil consumption. Burning can be addressed without a major engine overhaul, and a leak can simply be fixed…
- Where does the oil disappear to? Every engine "eats" oil, even one bought only yesterday. You can cut down engine oil burn-off significantly just by switching to a higher-viscosity engine oil…
- On the causes of engine oil consumption Every engine burns some oil, even one that was only recently bought. More on the causes of oil consumption.
- On the causes of oil consumption You can significantly cut how much oil your engine burns by using a more viscous oil and changing your driving style.
- High engine oil consumption in the engine High engine oil consumption in the engine is most likely caused by burning or a leak. A leak simply needs…
- Cutting engine oil consumption significantly Every engine burns some engine oil, even a brand-new one. An article on the causes of engine oil consumption.
- Higher engine oil consumption (more viscous oil) Oil gets "eaten up" by every engine, even a brand-new car. You can significantly cut oil consumption…
- Where does the oil go? Higher oil consumption can be caused by a leak or by burn-off.
- High oil consumption You can noticeably cut oil consumption simply by changing your driving style and switching to a higher-viscosity oil. Every engine burns some oil…
- High engine oil consumption You can seriously cut oil burning by changing your driving style and switching to a thicker oil. Engine oil gets 'eaten' by every engine…
- On the causes of engine oil consumption Every engine burns some engine oil, even in a brand-new car. You can significantly reduce engine oil burn-off…
- Higher engine oil consumption You can seriously cut engine oil consumption by using a more viscous oil and changing your driving style. Engine oil burns off in every engine…
- Causes of engine oil consumption: in brief Higher engine oil consumption can be caused by a leak or by burning. A leak simply needs fixing…
- Causes of oil consumption You can significantly cut oil consumption by using a more viscous engine oil and changing your driving style…
- Where does engine oil go? (how to cut down burn-off) Every engine consumes oil, even one bought only yesterday. Oil burn-off can be cut down significantly…
- Higher engine oil consumption (changing your driving style) Engine oil burns off in every engine, even one that's brand new…
- Where does engine oil go? (leaking or burning off) Oil either burns off or leaks — there's no third option. Either way, there are plenty of ways to fix the cause of the oil consumption, so don't rush to send…
- Burning oil: does it call for an overhaul? Not always, by any means. It's often cheaper and more reliable to simply top up the engine oil, and if the oil burn is too severe, replacing the engine…
- An engine oil leak Far from every possible spot where engine oil can leak is visible just by popping the hood. And not every mechanic at a service station knows all the possible…
- How to reduce oil consumption You may well be able to reduce engine oil consumption with far less painful methods. Besides, a full engine rebuild is far from always the best way out. Read…
- On the causes of oil consumption The only questions are why and how much. Engine oil in the engine either burns off or leaks out. A leak is much easier to fix, whereas burn-off isn’t always…
- On the causes of engine oil consumption in the engine There are only two causes of oil consumption: the oil either burns off in the cylinder block along with the fuel, or it leaks out of the engine.
- Why Does Oil Go Down? There are only two reasons for engine oil consumption: in reality the oil either burns off in the cylinder block along with the fuel, or it simply leaks out onto the ground.
- How to prevent excessive oil consumption? There actually aren't that many causes of oil consumption: essentially, it either simply leaks out through worn seals and gaskets…
- Do oil additives harm the engine? Using these supplements substantially alters the characteristics of engine oil, which already has every element it needs straight from the factory.
- Do additives harm the engine? (automotive oil) By using aftermarket additives in your automotive oil, you risk harming the engine. Using such additives radically changes…
- Is there a real effect from additives? Topping up with such additives will fundamentally change the characteristics of an engine oil that already has every element it needs.
- Is there a real effect from using additives? By using any additives in engine oil, you are taking on the risk of damaging the engine.
- Should you add additives to your oil Using third-party additives in your oil risks harming your engine. Adding these will change…
- Do additives in oil harm the engine? (third-party additives) Using third-party additives in oil - you're taking a risk of harming the engine either way. Using additives will fundamentally change the properties of the oil…
- Is there a real result from using additives? Is there a real result from using additives?
- Do additives harm the engine? (engine oil) Do additives harm the engine?
- Will additives actually deliver results? Using any additives in oil means taking on a risk of harming the engine, whatever happens. Topping up with these additives will radically change…
- Do additives harm the engine? Using any additives in oil - you're taking on a risk of harming the engine. Topping up with such additives…
- Do oil additives harm the engine? (any additives) Using any additives in engine oil - you're taking a risk of harming the engine in every case. Topping up with such…
- Should you add additives Using any additives in your engine oil risks harming your engine…
- Do additives in oil harm the engine? Adding additives will substantially change the chemical make-up of car oil that already has everything the engine needs, straight from the factory…
- Do oil additives harm the engine? (third-party additives) Using third-party additives in car oil - you're taking a risk of harming the engine, no matter what…
- Do additives harm the engine? Using any additives in your oil, you always risk harming the engine.
- Do additives poured into the oil harm the engine? (topping up additives) Topping up with such additives radically changes the quality of an engine oil that already has everything it needs…
- In brief: about additives... any additives poured into engine oil are evil! Additives in oil can give a short-lived effect...
Car maintenance
34 articles- Servicing a second-hand car You can't know for sure how a car was maintained by its previous owners. Right after registering a used car…
- Getting a second-hand car after buying a used car, specialists recommend a service visit that includes replacing all fluids, engine oil, belts, and every filter.
- First Service on a Used Car Buying a used car is a lottery, because you don't know exactly how it was maintained before you. Right after buying a used car…
- First Service on a Second-Hand Car Buying a used car carries risk, because you don't know for sure how the previous owner maintained it. As soon as possible after registering a used car, experts recommend having a service done…
- What to change on a used car? As soon as possible after registering a used car with the police, you should have it serviced, with all filters, fluids, belts and oils changed.
- What to replace in a used car? Right after buying a used car, you need to do a major service, changing all the filters, the engine oil, the belts and pulleys, and the service fluids…
- First Service on a Used Car As early as the day after registering a used car with the police, you need to have a service done, changing the engine oil, belts, fluids, and filters.
- Servicing a used car Buying a used car carries some risk, since you never know for sure exactly how it was maintained before you. Right after buying a used car…
- What to change on a used car? You don't know how the car was maintained by its previous owners. As soon as possible after registering a used car, specialists advise having it serviced…
- So you've decided to buy a used car... Buying a used car comes with risk, since you don't know how well the previous owner maintained it.
- In brief: right after you buy the car of a used car, replace every fluid without exception! That way you save a good deal of time and money on the expensive repair of the cooling system, the brake…
- Change all the fluids! It should not be forgotten that engine oil is not the only fluid that needs regular changing in a car - coolant (antifreeze), power steering fluid, gear oil (relevant for automatic transmissions), brake fluid and others.
- Servicing a used car The very next day after buying a used car, you should have it serviced, replacing every filter, all fluids, the engine oil…
- What engine oil should you use in winter? As a category, winter oils haven't been made for a long time now - most engine oils today are considered universal.
- Winter Car Oil If you have no trouble starting the engine in the morning, keep using your current engine oil. Winter engine oils haven’t been around for a long time — most…
- Oils for winter Winter oils haven't been produced for a long time now, since most engine oils are all-season.
- Choosing car oil for winter If you never have trouble with cold starts in frosty weather, keep using your usual car oil.
- Winter Car Oil If you never have trouble starting the engine in cold weather in the morning, there’s no need to change the engine oil, or more precisely its type, for winter. Winter car oils…
- Engine oil for winter Winter oils haven't been used for a long time — the vast majority of oils are considered all-season…
- Winter engine oil Dedicated winter engine oils have not been used for a long time, since most automotive oils today are universal, all-season products.
- On winter oils Winter engine oils, as a rule, aren't made - most engine oils suit year-round use…
- Car oil for winter As such, winter oils haven't been used for a long time — most engine oils are universal…
- How to warm up an automatic transmission? In freezing weather in the morning, an automatic transmission absolutely must be warmed up! To do this, while the engine is warming up, engage (holding the brake pedal down and without moving) "Drive" for a few minutes…
- To warm up or not to warm up? In frosty weather you absolutely must warm up the engine! At least for a few minutes. Cold engine oil can't do its job to the full, and on top of that, the…
- What to run in winter? Winter-only engine oils haven't been used by drivers for a long time now. The oil already in your engine is an all-season oil, so there's no particular need to…
- Winter Car Oils If you never have trouble starting the engine in freezing weather, there’s no need to switch your car oil brand for winter. Winter car oils…
- In brief: on changing transmission oil unless the carmaker actually calls for it. Many manual gearboxes are sealed for life, meaning the manufacturer only specifies periodic checks of the gear oil…
- Choosing coolant Only the one specified by the car's manufacturer! Switching, say, from antifreeze to Tosol is strongly discouraged — it will gradually wreck every part of the…
- Coolant Haven't you forgotten that antifreeze, just like engine oil, has a fixed change interval? Usually it's two years, but you should check your car's service book…
- In brief: gear oils This holds especially true for foreign cars with an automatic transmission. The quality of the oil in an automatic gearbox is a crucial condition for its long…
- In Brief: About Bulb Wattage Low-beam and high-beam headlight bulbs should only ever be the wattage the car manufacturer specifies! If you fit higher-wattage bulbs than intended, you'll…
- Working shock absorbers extend the life of the suspension A plain truth – working shock absorbers ensure a long service life for every component of the car's suspension, without exception. And conversely – faulty shock absorbers…
- Don't forget to get the suspension checked! Modern cars generally have good sound insulation, so if you don't hear any knocking, that doesn't necessarily mean the suspension is fine.
- How to extend the life of an automatic transmission? The handbrake rule Make it a rule — right after shifting the automatic transmission into park, always set the handbrake, and only then take your foot off the brake pedal, regardless of whether the car is on a slope or on level ground.
Archive
1 article- The variety of industrial bearings on offer… The variety of industrial bearings on the market today makes solving a whole range of technological and structural production tasks easier. Industrial bearings…