Is it better to use higher or lower viscosity oil for burning oil?
2 Answers
Whether it's better to use higher viscosity oil for burning oil in cars depends on specific situations. Here's a detailed explanation: 1. Burning oil is also a lubricant. The viscosity grade of the lubricant is crucial for the normal operation of the engine. To prevent wear on the contact surfaces between moving parts of the engine, the lubricant must have sufficient viscosity to form an oil film between moving parts under various operating temperatures, ensuring smooth operation of the truck engine. However, using lubricants with excessively high viscosity can also have some drawbacks. The methods for selecting the appropriate lubricant are as follows: 2. For heavy loads, choose oil with higher viscosity and good oiliness or extreme pressure properties; for light loads, choose oil with lower viscosity; in situations with significant impact, also choose oil with higher viscosity and good extreme pressure properties. 3. For high-speed movements, choose low-viscosity oil; for low-speed components, oil with slightly higher viscosity can be selected, but for oils with anti-wear additives, excessive emphasis on high viscosity is unnecessary. 4. Temperature is divided into ambient temperature and operating temperature. For low ambient temperatures, choose lubricants with lower viscosity and pour point (or freezing point), and vice versa; for high operating temperatures, choose lubricants with higher viscosity, flash point, and good oxidation stability, or even solid lubricants; for large temperature variations, choose lubricants with good viscosity-temperature characteristics (high viscosity index). 5. For environments with high humidity and frequent contact with water, choose lubricants with strong anti-emulsification properties and good oiliness and rust prevention. 6. For car engines with significant wear, generally, the viscosity index of the oil at 100°C should be selected one level higher to thicken the oil film, which can help reduce noise to some extent.
I've dealt with oil burning issues many times. As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I believe higher viscosity oil is more suitable. Oil burning mainly occurs due to internal engine wear, such as poor piston ring sealing, which allows oil to seep into the combustion chamber. Higher viscosity oil is thicker and can better seal those gaps, reducing oil consumption. My old sedan used to burn oil, but after switching to higher viscosity oil, the oil level dropped much more slowly. However, don't just choose any oil randomly—it depends on the specific car model and manufacturer recommendations. For example, German cars often use 40-grade viscosity oil. Regular maintenance is also crucial; check the engine condition periodically. If the wear is severe, oil alone won't solve the root problem. Avoid frequent short trips and try to drive on highways more often to let the engine warm up properly.
