Can I mix synthetics and synthetics from different manufacturers? Is it possible to mix synthetics with synthetics from different manufacturers?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Quality lubrication is the key to reliable and long engine operation. Often, car owners brag about how often they change the oil in their car. But today we will not talk about replacement, but about topping up. If in the first case there are no questions (leaked, filled and drove off), then in the second case, the opinions of motorists differ. Is it possible to mix synthetics and synthetics from different manufacturers? Some say it's possible. Others say it's strictly forbidden. So, let's try to understand this issue.

Reasons

There are several reasons for mixing. For example, after a trip to another region, your oil level on the dipstick has dropped. Especially often this happens on turbocharged engines with a mileage of more than two hundred thousand. Naturally, so that the engine does notexperienced oil starvation, you need to resume its level as soon as possible. You move to the nearest store, but there is no oil on the shelves that you have filled in your car. Is it possible to mix synthetics with synthetics from different manufacturers? We will talk about this a little later. In the meantime, consider another serious reason for which you have to add oil.

This is a malfunction of the cylinder-piston group. So, the consumption of lubricating fluid is affected by the presence of scoring and other deformations of the cylinder walls, as well as the condition of the oil scraper rings. The latter can lie down after a long run. Also, oil penetrates into the chamber due to the ellipse of the cylinders. Yes, no one ruled out natural care. But it should not exceed 20 percent of the total volume for the entire replacement period (this is 8-10 thousand kilometers). If you often have to add oil, this is an occasion to think about the serviceability of the cylinder-piston group.

Also, topping up the oil is required for the car due to poor sealing. Often car owners forget to change the crankshaft oil seals (front and rear). The part is cheap, but in order to replace it, you need to turn half of the engine compartment (especially if it is a rear oil seal). Look for signs of leakage on the engine and attachments. It is possible that you have to top up the oil precisely because of a poor-quality seal.

Understanding the composition

To answer the question "is it possible to mix synthetics and synthetics from different manufacturers", you need to understand the composition of the product. There are three types of lubricants. But regardless of the type, any oil contains a “base” and a set of additives that give it special, individual qualities. This applies to synthetics, mineral water and semi-synthetics. At the same time, each manufacturer uses its own technology and method for obtaining the base (“base”), as well as its own set of additives.

Thus, even with the same viscosity, these products will differ from each other. This causes certain difficulties when mixing different oils. As tests have shown, to a greater extent, the products differ in the set of additives. This does not allow mixing synthetics from different manufacturers. Can this be done with mineral oils? The answer will be negative. Yes, mineral water is more gentle on the engine. But this does not mean that it can be mixed with products from other manufacturers.

Consequences

What happens if you add oil from another manufacturer to the engine? No one will guarantee that the motor will accept such a “cocktail” well. Alternatively, due to the mixing of different additives, slag will be deposited in the engine.

During long-term operation, this may cause coking of the rings. Part of the product will precipitate. Additives will no longer provide the same performance. The composition of the oil film will be disturbed, which can lead to clogging of the oil passages. All this leads to a major overhaul of the engine. Is it possible to mix synthetics andsynthetics from different manufacturers? Experts give a negative answer. Such experiments can have dire consequences.

About viscosity

As you know, any oil has its own SAE classification and viscosity. When choosing a new product, special attention should be paid to viscosity. The quality of starting the engine in winter and its operation in summer depends on this parameter. Is it possible to mix synthetics and synthetics of the same brand, but with different viscosities? You can do this, but it is not recommended. Let's take an example. You are in another city, and your emergency oil level lamp lights up. You take out the dipstick, and it is practically “dry”. But there was no oil with the same viscosity from one manufacturer in the store.

Instead of 5w30 you purchased 5w40. What will be the result? Is it possible to mix 5w30 synthetics with 5w40? When mixing, you will change the viscosity characteristics. So, the liquid will receive an average parameter (5w35). What will change in the future after mixing? Among the obvious signs, it is worth noting the minimum engine start temperature. Now it will be -35 degrees Celsius. But no one can predict how the additives will behave in this case. If this is a product from one manufacturer, then you will not cause significant harm. But when mixing different brands of oils, you should expect trouble.

Mix with minimal risk

So, what to do if the level has dropped and the stores did not have the same oil? There are a few rules to know:

• Try to choose foods thatas close as possible to the characteristics of your oil. So you eliminate the risks.
• Can I mix synthetics and synthetics from different manufacturers? Do not buy lubricant from other companies. Each company uses its own set of additives that are added to the base oil. Because of this, the characteristics of the film may vary significantly.
• Allow minimal differences in viscosity. You cannot use 15w40 oil in an engine that previously used 0w20, even if they have the same manufacturer.
• Do not change the type of oil. If you have synthetic filled in, in no case do not mix it with mineral and even semi-synthetic (even if the viscosity is the same). This will seriously harm your engine.

What to do upon arrival?

So, you returned to your city and put the car in the garage. What to do next? Experts recommend completely draining such a “cocktail” and changing it to a new, homogeneous oil. An intermediate step will be the use of flushing oil.

The exception is cases with the addition of synthetics from one manufacturer, but with a minimally distinguishable viscosity (as we noted earlier, these are 5w30 and 5w40). If the amount of oil filled is small, it is not necessary to make a complete replacement. You can ride with such a "cocktail" and beyond. We will talk about this nuance below.

Harmless Volume

As you know, it is impossible to completely drain the entire volume of oil from the engine. Like it or not, but 500-800 milliliters of liquid will still remain in the system. Towhat is all this? If you added a little oil, you do not need to do another extraordinary replacement. This is an absolutely safe amount that will not harm your engine. But remember that this is only possible when mixing products from the same manufacturer. Also, the composition should not differ much in terms of viscosity characteristics.

Helpful advice

When you go on a long journey, take a small (at least one liter) eggplant of oil into your trunk. You may not need it. But if necessary, you will save a lot of time and effort spent on finding the right viscosity and brand of oil.

In addition, at gas stations, the cost of groceries is an order of magnitude higher. Also, a small canister with antifreeze and other working fluids will not be superfluous. Antifreeze, by the way, also cannot be mixed with different classes and manufacturers. But this is a topic for another article.

Properly switch to another type of oil

Over time, car owners have a desire to change mineral water to synthetics or vice versa. But this must be done correctly, since some of the oil will still remain in the engine. Is it possible to mix synthetics with mineral water? Absolutely not. Therefore, when changing to another type of fluid, use flushing oil. After letting the engine run on it for 5-10 minutes, you can not be afraid for the mismatch between the additives and the “base”.

After the “flushing” is drained, you can pour oil with confidenceanother type, without fear for the consequences. Also don't forget to change the oil filter. It also accumulates a decent amount of liquid (and no less dirt after ten thousand kilometers).

Conclusion

So, we found out whether it is possible to mix synthetics and synthetics of the same and different manufacturers in a car engine. As you can see, topping it up is not always safe. Remember that different companies use different methods for the production of motor oils and, in particular, additive sets. And how they will behave when mixed with another liquid, one can only guess.