What is the difference between good and bad engine oil?
2 Answers
Good and bad engine oil have the following differences: 1. Oil composition: Engine oil can be divided into four types based on its composition: full synthetic, semi-synthetic, synthetic mineral, and mineral oil. Car engine oil is not "the thicker the better, nor the purer the better". 2. Oil color: Imported engine oil is golden with a slight blue tint, crystal clear and transparent. Domestic genuine bulk engine oil is mostly light blue with a bright luster and uniform flow. Any oil with uneven color or flow accompanied by discolored streaks is counterfeit or deteriorated oil. Using such oil will severely damage the engine. 3. Oil smell: Qualified engine oil has no special smell, just a slight fragrance, and its gasoline performance is relatively mild. If there is a pungent smell, especially a strong fuel smell, it is very likely to be recycled oil.
I've used several different types of engine oil before, and I can really tell the difference with premium oil. Fully synthetic oils, for example, offer exceptional wear resistance. When driving on the highway, the engine runs noticeably quieter, and even at high RPMs, it feels incredibly smooth. In contrast, lower-quality mineral oils start to turn black and thin out after just 3,000-4,000 kilometers, failing to provide adequate engine protection. What's more crucial is that high-quality oils have superior cleaning capabilities. When you open up an engine that's been using good oil long-term, the internals remain golden clean, unlike with inferior oils that leave sludge buildup everywhere. For someone like me who frequently drives long distances, the difference in fuel consumption can be over 0.1 yuan per kilometer. Last time I used full synthetic for maintenance, I only needed one service every 10,000 kilometers - turns out it actually saves money and hassle in the long run.
