What are the five indicators of lubricating oil testing?

[DelGriffin]

The five indicators of lubricating oil testing are mechanical impurities, flash point, viscosity, water content, base number and neutralization number. Mechanical impurities: Mechanical impurities refer to insoluble substances or colloidal suspensions in lubricating oil that are not soluble in solvents such as ethanol, gasoline, and benzene. Flash point: Under the same viscosity conditions, the higher the flash point, the better. Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of the internal friction when a fluid flows, used to evaluate the oil's ability to resist flow at a specific temperature. Without any additives, the higher the viscosity, the poorer the fluidity, but the higher the oil film strength. Water content: The presence of water in lubricating oil will damage the oil film formed by the lubricating oil, reducing its lubrication effectiveness. Base number and neutralization number: Acid number is an indicator of the acidic substances contained in lubricating oil, which can be divided into strong acid number and weak acid number.

[EstherLee]

After driving for so many years, I've found that the key to lubricant testing lies in five indicators. First is viscosity, testing whether the oil's thickness is appropriate – too thin and it loses protection at high speeds, too thick and it makes cold starts difficult. Second is the total acid number; if it's too high, it means the oil has aged and may cause corrosion. Third is the total base number; if it's too low, it can't neutralize acids, leading to internal damage. Fourth is water content; water mixing with oil can cause emulsification, affecting lubrication performance. Lastly, metal wear particles analyzed by instruments can indicate if the engine is experiencing excessive wear. Personally, I get a professional test every six months. Although it costs a bit, it prevents major repair expenses and gives me peace of mind. Remember, these small details directly affect the long-term health of your engine and shouldn't be overlooked.

[VonHenry]

As a car enthusiast who loves tinkering with vehicles, I often check the lubricating oil myself. There are five main points I focus on: viscosity can be easily measured with a simple viscometer to determine the flow rate; total acid number is judged by the color change of test strips; total base number is also tested simply; water content is the easiest to check by observing if there's any white emulsion in the oil sample; metal particles are collected and analyzed using a magnetic trap. All these testing tools are available online, and doing it yourself only costs a few dozen bucks. By performing these checks regularly, I can keep track of the engine's condition, change the oil or make adjustments in time, saving both money and hassle. I believe the key is to develop the habit and not wait until the car has problems to regret it. When the lubricating oil is in good condition, the engine runs smoothly, and its lifespan naturally extends.

[Willow]

From a cost-saving perspective, the five core indicators for lubricant testing are viscosity, total acid number (TAN), total base number (TBN), water content, and metal particles. Incorrect viscosity increases fuel consumption; acid-base imbalance leads to engine corrosion; excessive water content degrades oil quality; and high metal content indicates component wear. Detecting these issues early can prevent major repairs costing thousands. My experience suggests testing annually or every 10,000 kilometers—a small investment that effectively protects the engine, making it quite cost-effective in practice.