How to Distinguish Antifreeze Engine Oil?
3 Answers
To distinguish antifreeze engine oil, you can freeze the oil in a refrigerator and then observe its antifreeze viscosity. Below is an introduction to the classification of engine oil: Classification by oil composition: According to the composition of engine oil, it can be divided into full synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral synthetic, and mineral oil. Oil model: On the packaging of engine oil, you will find markings such as 5w30, 0w20, and 5w40, which indicate the model of the oil. The "w" stands for winter, meaning that if there is a "w" in the marking, the oil can be used in winter.
When I help friends choose engine oil, the most straightforward method is to look for the low-temperature fluidity label on the packaging. Check if the oil container has specifications like SAE 0W-20 or 5W-30—the smaller the number before the 'W,' the better it performs in freezing temperatures. For example, the 0W-40 I picked for my neighbor last winter remained fluid even at temperatures below -30°C. Additionally, I always check the manual for certification standards. For friends in northeastern China, I specifically look for antifreeze types with ACEA C3 certification. Nowadays, many full-synthetic oils directly feature a snowflake symbol labeled 'Suitable for Extreme Cold.' By the way, high-quality antifreeze engine oil pours like golden honey with moderate viscosity—it won’t solidify into chunks even after a night in the freezer.
In practical use, I found that antifreeze engine oil performs exceptionally stable during seasons with large temperature variations. I remember when driving the old Jetta, switching to conventional oil made the engine wheeze like an old cow on cold winter mornings, but after switching to 5W full synthetic, the startup became noticeably smoother. This type of oil has higher purity base oil and can still quickly cover component surfaces even in sub-zero conditions. Nowadays, when selecting oil, I usually check the pour point parameter first—standard antifreeze types typically indicate they remain liquid and flow at temperatures as low as -40°C. Additionally, the low-temperature anti-gelling agents added to the formula prevent sludge formation, and even after running 8,000 kilometers, the dipstick still shows a translucent amber color.
