Can High-Quality Engine Oil Save Fuel?
3 Answers
High-quality engine oil can save fuel. Good engine oil has better low-temperature fluidity. Here are some details about high-quality engine oil: 1. Advantages: High-quality engine oil has better low-temperature fluidity. It shortens the warm-up time. It consumes less oil. During engine operation, some oil is inevitably consumed. Although oil consumption mainly depends on engine technology and design, different oils have varying consumption rates. Generally, under the same vehicle or operating conditions, full synthetic oil has lower volatility than mineral oil. High-quality engine oil is less prone to aging. 2. Composition: It is made from superior components of crude oil through chemical reactions and artificial synthesis, resulting in better quality, thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and viscosity change resistance, which are far superior to mineral oil.
Using high-quality engine oil does help save fuel, and I've personally experienced this deeply. Because there are many metal components inside the engine that rapidly rub against each other, just like the friction between your feet and the ground when running, it takes effort. Good engine oil can form a smooth protective film between these components, reducing friction resistance, so the engine runs more smoothly and naturally doesn't consume as much gasoline. I also noticed that full synthetic oil flows much better than conventional mineral oil, especially during cold starts in winter, as the oil quickly reaches all corners, preventing the engine from straining. Of course, it's also important to choose the right viscosity. For example, my car's manual requires 0W-20; using a higher viscosity oil would actually increase the burden. After regular oil changes, the fuel gauge noticeably drops by 1-2 points, and over time, this can save a significant amount of money.
Having driven for over a decade, I've found that engine oil affects fuel consumption mainly in two aspects: condition and grade. Old oil oxidizes and thickens, becoming sticky like syrup, making the engine work harder to circulate it, which naturally increases fuel consumption. After an oil change, reduced resistance makes driving smoother. As for oil grades, full synthetic oils have more stable molecular structures, offering better protection at high temperatures compared to mineral oils that degrade more easily. Once, after switching to Mobil full synthetic, my highway RPM dropped by 200, and fuel consumption decreased by 0.8L. But beware of marketing gimmicks – some oils advertised as fuel-efficient may only suit new cars, while older vehicles might need slightly higher viscosity. Simply put, timely oil changes with the right grade for your car's condition can indeed save some fuel.
