Mythe ou réalité ? Cinq mythes courants sur l'huile moteur démystifiés
Myth 1: Never switch oil brands
There is a common misunderstanding that when you switch oil brands, the oil consumption and pressure will change. But this is not necessarily true as it is based on multiple variable factors, namely the condition of the oil filter, oil contamination levels, wrong oil pressure, and others. However, it is important to choose the oil grade which meets the specifications which are required by the car manufacturer to avoid damage to the engine.
Myth 2: Once you start using synthetic engine oil you cannot use mineral anymore
Some people think that if you start using synthetic engine oil in your engine, you cannot go back to using mineral oils as they fear it might damage their engine. But this is not something you should be afraid of because synthetic oils generally have a mix of mineral and synthetic oils. Switching between the two types will not cause any harm. Besides this, our oil advisor generally gives multiple recommendations for any specific machine where different types of blends are advised.
Myth 3: Oil gets dirty but does not wear out
Oil gets dirty due to metal particles, leaks, dust, heat exposure, dirt, and debris. Engine oil wears out faster due to oxidation and high temperatures. Besides this, an increase in contaminants in the oil reduces the efficiency which can further cause the additive levels to deplete. This is why it is always advised to change the oil regularly based on the OEM manual.
Myth 4: Visual appearance of the oil can give an indication of whether it is bad or not
In general oil is (different shades of) amber in colour which you can find in the product data sheets. Engine oil turns black due to contaminants caused by external factors like moisture, dust particles, soot, and more. The perception of dark oil is that it is bad. But this is not necessarily true as it means the oil is working the way it is supposed to function. Oil performance cannot be judged just by visual appearance and can only be checked by a test in a professional lab.
Myth 5: Beware of synthetic engine oils
Back in 1970s, when synthetic oils were introduced; this was true as they had leak issues due to the seal incompatibility. But as time passed, rapid technological innovations solved the issues. Nowadays these new formulas protect your seals and gaskets and makes them in some cases even better than conventional oil to protect your engine.
