Hi Paul, I have a 2015 VW Golf 1200cc TSI. What is the best motor oil for it; 5W-40 or 5W-30, mineral or synthetic? Also, the manufacturer recommends Castrol on the engine covers. Any problems using other brands? Finally, it’s now 158,000 kms, at what point will I switch to high mileage motor oils?
Hi Fred, the best engine oil for your VW Golf 1.2L TSI should meet the viscosity index or grade recommended by the manufacturer. To avoid any confusion, you need to understand the difference between mineral and synthetic motor oils. Mineral-based motor oil is primarily derived from natural crude oil, drilled from the ground and refined with additives that improve performance and protection. Synthetic base motor oil is an artificial oil blended and prepared with chemicals designed to provide superior engine performance and protection.
Synthetic (fully synthetic) oil meets the high demands and challenges of modern engines, such as extreme heat or cold, internal combustion pressure, post-burn soot, and the demand for fuel economy and long life useful Therefore, synthetic and mineral oils are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. There are semi-synthetic base motor oils that have mineral base oil mixed with artificial additives to improve engine performance and protection levels.
The viscosity ratings and performance or protection levels of these three types of motor oils are different. Viscosity is how easily and quickly motor oil will flow at different temperatures to protect your engine. When considering temperature ranges, the motor oil manufacturer declares the temperature ranges in which their oils will still flow.
The first digits denote the cold temperature range (-) while the second set denote the heat range (+). For example, 5W-40 motor oil will be able to flow at a sub-zero freezing temperature while -35 degrees to +40 degrees at hot temperature.
In addition, different synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral-based oils have performance grades or standards classified by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
All motor oils must be subscribed, tested and graded to the above internationally recognized standard. Car manufacturers design and test their engines to perform optimally using motor oils categorized by temperature range, the API and ACEA standards, which declare whether the oil is suitable for gasoline engines (SP -Spark) or diesel (C – Compression) or both gasoline and gasoline. diesel (S/C).
Therefore, any reputable motor oil should have been tested to declare its viscosity, API and ACEA standard. VW, under its bulletin 502.00/505.00, recommends oil viscosity, API and ACEA that meet tolerance levels for a range of vehicle engines including your 1.2 L TSI.
Various fully synthetic 5W-30 motor oils that meet and declare API SL/CF; ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4 are approved for your particular VW engine tolerance levels. Interestingly, fully synthetic 5W-40 motor oil which has almost similar API and ACEA and can be a good alternative in the absence of 5W-30 in terms of meeting the VW tolerance standards bulletin.
It would be foolhardy for VW or any car manufacturer to restrict car owners to a certain brand of motor oil, even when they recommend one by putting their name on the oil cap because of agreements of cooperation in research and development.
It is critical to find a brand of motor oil that meets the standards recommended above.
CAN I MAKE MY OWN CAR WINDSHIELD WASHER?
Hi Paul, what is car screen wash made of and can I make my own to save money?
Hi Mercy, windshield washer fluids are designed to wash your car windshields and windshield wipers while you drive. These fluids come in specific containers where they are delivered by a jet spray driven by electric pumps to clean the windshield, prevent streaks that blur the view and damage the wipers, keep the pump and jets lubricated and free from corrosion damage at the same time which prevent the growth of infectious insects. the dishwashing liquid tank. In countries that experience winter, these fluids help to de-ice windshields. Most windshield washer fluids are made from methanol and alcohols such as ethylene glycol. They are carefully mixed to prevent damage to the windshield glass, rubber wipers, and metal materials they are meant to clean and protect.
The process of compounding and mixing dishwashing liquids involves the deliberate use of specific amounts of chemicals such as 20 percent ethanol, five percent anionic surfactants, and less than five percent anionic surfactants. To make your own windshield washer fluid, you need to have some prior knowledge of the chemistry involved and the specific amounts of chemicals needed to make up the right fluids to meet the performance and protection standards mentioned above.
That’s why it’s better to use the windshield fluids already made for you. There are several homemade recommendations for windshield washer fluids that you can try, at your discretion (and risk of damage), in the absence of manufactured fluids. Some people use a mixture of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, glass cleaner, mild detergent, and water. The challenge with using plain water and detergent (soap) is that it tends to be corrosive and cause corrosion (rust) damage to the washer pumps and jets.
Wiper rubber life is shortened by streaking, while tree sap and road soot may not be cleaned effectively. A silent danger is the growth of infectious bugs in the washing machine tank, which can cause you infections.
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