What is conventional engine oil?
2 Answers
Conventional engine oil generally refers to mineral oil, but currently most vehicles use semi-synthetic or higher-grade oils. Engine oil introduction: Engine oil is the lubricant for engines, which serves to lubricate the engine, reduce friction, assist in cooling, and minimize buffering effects. Engine oil composition: Engine oil consists of base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of lubricating oil, determining its fundamental properties, while additives improve and compensate for any deficiencies in the base oil's performance. Using lubricating oil helps reduce wear on engine components and extends their service life. Engine oils in the market are categorized into synthetic oils and mineral oils, with synthetic oils further divided into full synthetic and semi-synthetic oils.
After repairing cars for ten years, I've found that many car enthusiasts have misconceptions about conventional motor oil. Conventional oil typically refers to mineral oil, which is directly refined from crude oil and still contains some impurities. The biggest advantage of this oil is its affordability—an oil change, including labor, costs only around 100 to 200 yuan, making it particularly suitable for older vehicles. For example, an old Jetta with over 200,000 kilometers on the odometer may experience fewer oil leaks with mineral oil compared to full synthetic. However, its downside is poor high-temperature resistance; it tends to degrade after about 5,000 kilometers in the engine and must be replaced. If you own a turbocharged (T) vehicle or frequently drive on highways, it's genuinely not recommended to use this type of oil.