Best Car and Bike Engine Oil in India

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.