Is it safe to add engine anti-wear agents to engine oil?
4 Answers
Adding engine anti-wear agents to engine oil is a safe practice. The function of engine anti-wear agents is to increase the viscosity of the engine oil, improve the quality of the oil film, and provide better lubrication for the engine. Engine anti-wear agents are high-tech oil (lubricant) additives, processed through various technical means, which can reduce engine wear and enhance engine power, hence they are also known as engine hardeners or powerful repair agents. The following are the functions of engine anti-wear agents: 1. Protective effect: High-quality anti-wear agents have stronger adhesion, higher heat resistance, and corrosion resistance compared to ordinary engine oil. They can adhere to the inner walls of the cylinders to form a protective film, enhancing lubrication and repairing scratches on the cylinder walls to make them smooth. The smooth surface of the engine ensures normal high-speed operation and plays a role in maintenance and repair. 2. Cleaning function: They can dissolve excess fuel, impurities, and carbon deposits in the cylinders, allowing the high-temperature and high-pressure oil-gas in the cylinders to fully burn without other impurities.
I've run an auto repair shop for twenty years, and this really depends on the specific situation. High-quality anti-wear additives from reputable brands can indeed reduce wear. Last year, I encountered an old Passat where oil consumption decreased after adding such an additive. However, if you buy inferior products, they may clog the oil passages—I've seen three cars whose fuel pumps failed after using them. Here's the key reminder: Engine oil already contains anti-wear formulations, so new cars absolutely don’t need additives. For older cars with significant oil consumption, anti-wear additives containing molybdenum disulfide or organic molybdenum compounds can be somewhat useful. Remember, don’t cheap out on no-name brands—it’s better to invest in a good-quality oil change instead. After all, engine repairs can easily cost tens of thousands.
After commuting 80km daily, I've gathered some experience and conducted experiments with anti-wear additives. On my decade-old Corolla, I tested various additives within 10,000 km. Reliable brands did make cold starts quieter and improved power delivery smoothness. But note two things: First, check the oil grade - SL-grade oil shows limited improvement with additives. Second, examine ingredients - organic fluorine compounds can corrode oil seals. I recommend considering additives only for vehicles over 150,000 km, keeping the dosage below 5% of total oil volume. From my experience, 1/3 bottle works perfectly.
After researching the composition principles of anti-wear additives, there are mainly three technical approaches: zinc-containing formulas are prone to sludge formation, molybdenum-based types only become effective at high temperatures, and ceramic nano-coating technology is more stable. I recommend adding it to the engine oil after exceeding 5,000 kilometers for better rationality. Important note: Right after adding, you might feel faster acceleration, but this is actually an illusion caused by increased viscosity. Truly effective anti-wear additives should be able to reduce the friction coefficient to below 0.08. When purchasing, look for certification marks on the bottle; those with API certification are relatively more reliable.
