Choosing the Best Car and Bike Engine Oil in India
With the overwhelming range and
variety of engine oils available in the market, simply looking for the best
engine oil in India will not be enough. To truly choose the best engine oil for
your car or bike, you need to have some basic knowledge of the composition and
components of engine oils.
What is Engine Oil?
Engine oil is a vital component
of your vehicle's engine system, without which your car or bike's engine won't
even start. It is a composition of base oil and special additives that function
to optimize the engine's performance and protect the engine system.
Engine Oil Viscosity
Engine oil viscosity refers to
the fluid's ability to flow. It determines how easily the oil will pour in the
engine system at a certain temperature range. Thin oils are more suitable for
cold weather, reducing friction and flowing easily. Thick oils are ideal for
hot weather as they maintain a film strength even at high temperatures and
pressures.
How does Engine Oil Work?
Engine oil functions by forming
a fine layer of slick oil molecules on the entire engine body. Different
additives in the engine oil serve various purposes to enhance its capabilities
and add new properties.
Benefits of Engine Oil
Engine oil serves numerous
purposes, essential for the optimum functioning of your vehicle:
1. Lubrication: It forms a
layer that prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, reducing friction and wear
and tear on engine parts.
2. Acid Neutralization: Special
additives neutralize acids produced during fuel combustion, protecting the
engine oil and parts.
3. Sludge Removal: Anti-sludge
elements help remove black gel compounds formed on engine parts due to
accumulated used engine oil.
4. Corrosion Prevention: Engine
oil prevents the production of corrosion, protecting the engine parts from
damage.
5. Increased Fuel Efficiency:
Reduced friction allows the engine to work smoothly, leading to less fuel
consumption and increased fuel efficiency.
6. Reduced CO2 Emissions: Lower
fuel consumption means less CO2 production, contributing to a cleaner
environment.
7. Increased Engine Performance
and Life: The cushioning effect of engine oil reduces frictional loss, cooling
the engine and preventing corrosion, extending the engine's life.
Different Engine Oil Additives
Engine oils are 80% base oil
and 20% special additives. These additives serve various purposes, such as
removing sludge, preventing oxidation and corrosion, protecting engine parts,
and improving fuel economy.
Types of Engine Oil Based on Their Composition
Engine oils are classified based on the type of base oil used in their composition:
1. Mineral Engine Oil:
Extracted from crude oil and refined in a factory, it is the most economical
option but less refined.
2. Synthetic Engine Oil: Fully
manufactured in a laboratory, offering increased engine protection and
performance.
3. Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil: A
blend of synthetic and mineral oil, combining benefits of both types.
4. High-Mileage Oil: Contains
seal conditioning additives for older vehicles or those with high mileage.
Types of Engine Oil Based on Their Grade
The Society of Automotive Engineers established a grading system based on an oil's viscosity at different temperatures:
1. Single-Grade Engine Oil:
Used in industrial applications or some classic cars, not suitable for
automobile engines.
2. Multi-Grade Engine Oil:
Modifies viscosity according to operating temperatures, ideal for automobile
engines.
Decoding the Nomenclature of Engine Oil
The nomenclature of engine oil
indicates its viscosity at different temperatures. For example, 5W30 means it
has the viscosity of 5 at low temperatures and 30 at high temperatures.
Difference Between Petrol and Diesel Engine Oils
A lot of people often wonder
whether they can interchange petrol and diesel engine oils, and the answer is a
definite no. Despite both types of engine oils being made of base oils with
additives, there are significant differences in their compositions, making them
unsuitable for each other. In this article, we will discuss three parameters
that distinguish between petrol and diesel engine oils: viscosity, additives,
and their impact on the vehicle's exhaust system.
1. Viscosity:
Viscosity refers to the fluid's
ability to flow. Generally, petrol engine oils have lower viscosity than diesel
engine oils. Pouring higher viscosity diesel engine oil into a petrol-driven
engine can lead to increased fluid friction in the parts, which can negatively
affect the engine's life and the engine oil's performance. Additionally, higher
viscosity oil can make it harder to start the engine in colder conditions,
causing difficulties during cold starts.
2. Special Additives:
Diesel engines produce more
soot and combustion byproducts compared to petrol engines. As a result, diesel
engine oils have to be incorporated with more additives per volume to
neutralize the acids produced during the combustion process. When this oil with
extra additives is added to a petrol engine, the additives continue to do their
job and start washing on the cylinder walls. This can have a severe effect on
the engine's seal, leading to reduced compression and efficiency.
3. Catalytic Converter:
Diesel engine oils contain a
higher amount of an anti-wear component called zinc dialkyldithiophosphate
(ZDDP). While this component is necessary for diesel engines, it can damage and
clog the catalytic converter when it exits the vehicle. Diesel engines are
built to deal with this problem, but petrol engines' catalytic converters are
not designed to handle the higher levels of ZDDP. Pouring diesel engine oil
into a petrol engine can negatively impact the exhaust system of the
automobile.
Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Engine Oils:
When looking for the best
2-stroke or 4-stroke engine oil in India, it is essential to understand the
difference between the two. These are two different engine types with distinct
working mechanisms.
2-Stroke Engine Oil:
A 2-stroke engine involves
mixing engine oil with the fuel to facilitate combustion. Therefore, engine oil
for 2-stroke engines should be able to mix easily with the fuel and burn well
in the engine's combustion chamber. This type of engine oil is specifically
designed for engines that require oil to be mixed with the fuel, such as small
motorcycles and certain lawnmowers.
4-Stroke Engine Oil:
For 4-stroke engines, the
engine oil is only used to lubricate the engine parts and is not consumed in
the combustion process. Therefore, 4-stroke engine oil has to focus on
preventing wear and tear in the engine parts and keeping them as clean as
possible. This type of engine oil is used in most modern cars, bikes, and other
vehicles.
Which Engine Oil Is Best for Car or Bike Engine?
When choosing engine oil for
your car or bike, always refer to the manufacturer's manual. Each vehicle model
has specific requirements, and the recommended engine oil is tailored to
provide the best care and protection for that particular engine. So, before
searching for the best engine oil in India for your car or bike, consult your
vehicle's manufacturer to ensure you are using the right oil.
Best Engine Oil Brands in India:
In India, there are several reputable engine oil brands that offer high-quality lubricants at accessible prices. Some of the best engine oil brands in India include:
1. Shell: Known for maximizing
engine performance in all weather conditions and suitable for all petrol,
diesel, and gas-powered engines.
2. Mobil 1: Offers seamless
performance in all weather conditions, exceptional cleaning capability, and
wear protection for both diesel and petrol engines.
3. Gulfstar: Provides a cleaner
engine with advanced additives and increased resistance to viscosity loss.
4. Castrol: The leading brand
for car and bike engine oil in India, offering excellent protection for city
driving and minimized wear during start and stop operations.
5. Motul: Provides excellent
performance in all temperature conditions and high drainage period, making oil
changes less frequent.
6. Valvoline: Offers low-speed
pre-ignition protection, smooth and quiet engine, and competitive prices.
7. Bosch: Reduces engine heat
and related damage while increasing fuel economy.
8. Gulf: Minimizes sludge
build-up, enables easy start-up in cold seasons, and reduces clutch slippage.
9. Servo: Offers good quality
at an affordable price range, excellent oxidation stability, and prevention of
soot-induced viscosity.
Best Engine Oil for Car:
For cars, one of the top
choices is the Bosch Synthup API SN/CF SAE 5W 40 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil. It
provides a cleaner, noise-free engine, and extended engine life. The oil is
compatible with all modern cars running on diesel, petrol, CNG, or LPG. It is
added with advanced additives, each serving a different purpose to improve the
overall driving experience and protect various engine parts from gradual damage.
Best Engine Oil for Bike:
For bikes, the Bosch Josh 4T
20W-40 API SL engine oil is highly recommended. This engine oil is highly
viscous, top-notch quality lubricant, and is equally affordable. The latest wet
clutch optimization formula provides increased cooling to the wet clutch,
resulting in instant pick-up. Bosch Josh 20W40 also incorporates special
additives that keep the engine corrosion-free, thus prolonging the overall
engine life.
Best Synthetic Engine Oil:
One of the best synthetic
engine oils for both bikes and cars is the Castrol Power1 Ultimate 4T 15W50
Full Synthetic Engine Oil. It offers supreme performance, excellent
acceleration, and is proven to accelerate 2.2 seconds faster than other engine
oils in the market. It provides exceptional engine protection and is a popular
choice among vehicle owners.
Best Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil:
The Shell Advance AX7 4T 10W-40
API SM Synthetic Technology Motorbike Engine Oil is an excellent choice for
those looking for semi-synthetic engine oil. It is specially tailored to meet
the stressful operating conditions and high-performance demands of modern
engines. The advanced synthetic formula provides 29% better protection at
higher temperatures.
Best Engine Oil According to Cubic Capacity (CC):
When choosing engine oil based
on cubic capacity (cc) for bikes, it is essential to understand what the cubic
capacity of a bike's engine means. The cubic capacity of a motorcycle is the
empty space available in the bike's engine to pour in the engine oil. The
larger the cubic capacity of the engine oil, the more powerful the engine is,
but it also requires more fuel to run compared to an engine with a smaller
cubic capacity.
Best Engine Oil for 125cc –
150cc Bike Engine:
For engines with 125cc to 150cc, engine oils with motor grades 10W30, 10W40, and 20W40 are most suitable. Shell Advance AX7 10W-40 synthetic-based motorcycle engine oil or Motul 3000 4T 10W-30 mineral engine oil can be good choices.
Best Engine Oil for 200cc – 250cc Bike Engine:
For engines with 200cc to 250cc, 20W50 and 10W50 bike engine oils are the best choices. You can opt for Motul 3100 4T Gold Semi-Synthetic engine oil or Gulfstar 15W-50 API SN hybrid petrol engine oil for motorbikes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Engine Oil
Q1: When should I change the engine oil in my vehicle?
A: For most vehicles, it is
recommended to change the engine oil after every 8,000 to 12,000 kilometers.
However, with modern fully-synthetic lubricants, it can take up to 20,000
kilometers before you need to change your engine's oil. The best way to
determine the ideal interval is to refer to your vehicle's manufacturer's
manual or get your vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Q2: Is it okay to use a different grade of motor oil than recommended?
A: It is always best to use the
motor oil grade recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. Using a heavier
grade of engine oil than recommended can increase fuel economy but may shorten
the overall engine life. Conversely, using a lighter grade oil excessively can
lead to increased wear and tear of the engine parts.
Q3: Can I switch from one type of engine oil to another?
A: Mineral, synthetic, and
fully-synthetic engine oils are mostly compatible with all vehicle types.
Hence, it can be safe to switch from one oil to another within these
categories. However, switching from synthetic to mineral oil, for example, may
impact the performance of the engine due to differences in composition. The
best engine oil to use in your automobile is the one recommended by your
vehicle's manufacturer.
Q4: Is thicker engine oil better?
A: Thicker engine oil is
sometimes used to compensate for increased bearing clearances between the
engine parts. However, each engine is designed to specific tolerances, and
using a thicker oil than recommended can affect the lubrication and overall
engine performance. It is essential to stick to the engine oil viscosity
recommended in the manufacturer's user manual.
Q5: How to dispose of used engine oil?
A: Used engine oil is a serious
environmental hazard, and proper disposal is crucial. The best way to dispose
of used engine oil is to give it to your local mechanic or workshop person.
They usually have tie-ups with oil refining agents who collect and recycle used
engine oil, reusing it as crude oil for different purposes, such as lubricating
concrete shutterings at construction sites.
Q6: How to measure car engine oil?
A: To check the level of car
engine oil, follow these steps:
1. Park your car on level
ground.
2. Open the hood of the car and
look for the dipstick.
3. Once you locate the
dipstick, pull it out and wipe any oil from its body.
4. Put the dipstick back into
the tube and push it all the way in.
5. Now, pull the dipstick out
again.
6. Look at the dipstick
carefully to check if the level of oil lies between the 'low' and 'high'
markings.
7. If the oil level is below the 'low' marking, you need to refill your engine with the appropriate amount of oil.
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