Lubricants degrade during use due to high temperatures and other factors that lead to a loss of their anti-wear, dispersant, and detergent power, and therefore reduce engine life. The viscosity is affected by the temperature, so the viscosity index is a measure that represents the variation of viscosity with the temperature.
When changing it, it is always recommended to read the vehicle’s maintenance manual and take into account that the durability also depends on the type of coolant that is used (organic or inorganic).
The time interval between lubricant changes is not the same for all vehicles. This time interval is determined by the vehicle manufacturer according to the quality level of the lubricant, the engine characteristics, and the vehicle usage conditions. In general, it is associated with two parameters: mileage or use time in months or years.
Oil refilling doesn’t prevent its replacement. The lubricant must be replaced according to the recommendation indicated by the manufacturer. Oil degrades over time because it is subjected to high pressures and temperatures, to blow-by gases, to fuel dilution, to residual wear elements, and to the degradation of its own additives.
The cleaning of the internal organs of the engine is one of the lubricant’s functions, so it must necessarily darken with the passage of time. If the oil turns dark it isn’t bad. It is one of the functions of lubricants to keep the engine clean, so it is normal for the lubricant to turn darker as it is used.
The passage of time is one of the causes of the increase in oil consumption in vehicles. If you have a high-mileage car, we recommend you use the lubricating oils with specific performance for high-mileage cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles offered by Repsol (links).
With the passage of time, oil degrades and loses its properties. Regular oil change is key because, as well as lubricating, it protects against wear and prevents heating and the generation of impurities on the different surfaces.
Lubricants degrade during use because of contamination, oxidation, nitration, high temperatures, or the depletion of the additive package. All these factors lead to a loss of its anti-wear, dispersant, and detergent power, and therefore reduce engine life. In our catalogs, you can find a wide variety of lubricants that take care of the engine and lengthen its useful life.
To maximize the useful life of the vehicle, it is recommended not to go past the change period indicated by the manufacturer.
For various reasons, it depends on its application. For example, in engines, the oil absorbs the soot caused by the engine’s combustion, internal contaminants such as the particles from engine wear (metal residue, rubber, etc.), and external contaminants (dust, organic residues, etc.).
Lubricants have components that degrade over time. At Repsol we recommend not using engine lubricants older than 5 years from the date of production or 6 months from the opening of the container, as long as it has been stored correctly.
No. The lubricant must be replaced according to the recommendation indicated by the manufacturer. Oil degrades over time because it is subjected to high pressures and temperatures, to blow-by gases (that generate NOx, SOx, particles), to fuel dilution, to residual wear elements, and to the degradation of its own additives.
If the lubricant has external contamination, it is recommended to investigate the source of the contamination and change the oil and filter. This is important, because external contamination can cause engine wear.
The black color of the lubricant does not indicate that it is in a bad condition; it is a sign that it is doing its job correctly. In the engine combustion process, soot and other impurities are generated that the lubricant must collect. The cleaning of the internal organs of the engine is one of the lubricant’s functions, so it must necessarily darken with the passage of time.
Under no circumstances can refilling the lubricant tank replace a full lubricant change since it does not completely regenerate it. The fact is that, with use, the lubricant is degraded and loses effectiveness. Once its lifetime has been exceeded, its qualities become altered and protection of the engine elements is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, it is necessary to renew the oil on a regular basis.
The time interval between lubricant changes is not the same for all vehicles. This time interval is determined by vehicle manufacturers according to the quality level of the lubricant, the engine characteristics, and the vehicle usage conditions. In general, it is associated with two parameters: mileage or use time in months or years, whichever comes first.
Some vehicles have built-in electronic systems that monitor the status of the lubricant in order to inform the driver when the oil must be changed.
